Best Airline for USA Travel: Top Picks
Browse more guides: United States travel | Americas destinations I get this question every other week from readers planning their first big United States trip: which American airline should I actually book? And the answer is messier than most travel sites pretend. I've flown across the US on every major carrier listed below, paid for my own bags, and missed my own connections. This is what I tell friends. Why The Right US Airline Matters More Than People Think If you're flying into the US from India, Africa, the UK, or Europe, your long-haul carrier handles the ocean crossing, but your US connecting carrier handles your bags, your weather diversion, and the 90 minutes between gates. Pick the wrong one and your luggage spends the night in Atlanta while you sleep in Chicago. Domestic US flights are where fees stack up fastest. A USD 39 Spirit base fare becomes a USD 180 ticket once you add a carry-on, seat assignment, and snack. So a USD 149 Southwest fare includes two chec...