The Largest Passenger Airlines in the U.S.
- Southwest Airlines tops the list.yellow jet airliner image by Stephen Kirkby from Fotolia.com
When it comes to air travel, the U.S. is still the global leader. American-based airlines take five of the top 10 spots for passenger traffic worldwide as of January 2010. While the size of the airline won't necessarily get you to your destination faster or without any delays, a larger airline will be able to offer more flights in case you get bumped from your scheduled departure. The biggest airlines in the U.S. in terms of total domestic passenger traffic are a mixture of the traditional corporate giants and a number of low-cost upstarts. - Southwest Airlines tops the list as the largest airline in the U.S. when it comes to the number of passengers carried. In the most recent report by Air Transport World, the industry's source for airline data, Southwest carried more than 84 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009. Southwest Airlines specializes in making multiple short trips to the major markets.
- American Airlines, which use to be the largest passenger airline until it was surpassed by Southwest in 2006, holds the No. 2 spot on the list. The company, which began in 1930 as a single airline developed from a congregation of smaller airlines, is the world's second largest airline in terms of global passenger traffic. American carried more than 56 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009.
- Delta Airlines is the world's largest airline in terms of passenger traffic and fleet size. When measured by U.S. passenger traffic, it comes in No. 3 with more than 46 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009. Yet, the recent merger of Delta with Northwest airlines, completed in January 2010, will certainly bump up the company on this list. Depending how flights are combined, it could be the new No. 1 passenger airline by the end of 2010.
- United is No. 4 on the list of largest American airlines, with more than 40 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009. It is also a member of Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance in the world.
- After US Airways was acquired by America West Airlines in 2005, the airline moved up to become the fifth largest passenger airline in the country. It carried more than 38 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009.
- While Northwest Airlines is only the sixth largest airline in terms of domestic passengers, it carried more passengers across the Pacific Ocean than any other American carrier. The airline also transports more cargo than any other U.S.-based carrier. But with Northwest Airlines merger with Delta, completed in January 2010, this company will certainly fall off the 2010 list for largest passenger airlines.
- Continental Airlines comes in as the seventh largest airline in the U.S. but it terms of global prestige, it is seen as number one. It has been ranked as the "Most Admired Global Airline" by Fortune magazine from 2004 to 2010. The airline carried more than 27 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009.
- The low-cost airline has risen to the eighth largest airline in the U.S. serving more than 56 cities coast-to-coast with more than 700 flights per day. AirTran is also the world's largest Boeing 717-200 operator. The airline carried more than 19 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009.
- While SkyWest Airlines may not have the name recognition of many of the largest airlines in the country, it is the ninth largest passenger airline. The airline has grown by serving as a regional airline that contracts with various major carriers. The airline carried more than 17 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009.
- Founded in 1998, JetBlue has quickly found its way into the top 10 list of the largest passenger airlines. With a fleet of new planes and a focus on low-cost routes, JetBlue has become one of the favorite American carriers. The airline carried more than 17 million passengers domestically from January to October in 2009.
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways
Northwest Airlines
Continental Airlines
AirTran
SkyWest
JetBlue
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