Choosing the best airline to fly to Florida depends on a variety of factors, including price, routes, amenities, and customer satisfaction. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the major airlines that fly to Florida and help you determine which carrier is the best fit for your next Sunshine State getaway.
The top airlines flying to Florida
There are many airlines that offer flights to Florida’s major airports, including Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville. However, when it comes to amenities, widespread route networks, affordability, and overall traveler satisfaction, the following airlines stand out as top contenders for flights to Florida:
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Frontier Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
While there are certainly other carriers that fly to Florida, these airlines have extensive route networks, multiple daily flights, and competitive fares that make them the best options for most travelers.
Routes and airport options
One of the most important factors when choosing an airline is determining which Florida airports it flies to. The major gateway airports in Florida include:
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Here’s an overview of which airlines fly into each of these airports:
Airline | MCO | MIA | FLL | TPA | JAX |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delta | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
American | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
United | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Southwest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
JetBlue | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Frontier | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Spirit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
As you can see, the major national carriers – Delta, American, United, and Southwest – offer extensive coverage of Florida’s major airports. JetBlue also flies to the top 4 airports, while the ultra low-cost carriers Frontier and Spirit have slightly more limited coverage.
So if you’re looking to fly into multiple Florida cities on one vacation, or aren’t yet certain of your final destination, the major airlines are likely to give you the most flexibility and options.
Cost and fees
Airfare prices are another key consideration when choosing an airline. Fares to Florida vary considerably based on factors like:
- Time of year and season (high vs low season)
- Length of stay
- Day of the week
- Whether the flight is direct or connects
- How far in advance you book
That said, some airlines consistently offer cheaper base fares than others. Here’s an overview of typical price differences:
Airline | Typical fare level |
---|---|
Delta | Medium-High |
American | Medium |
United | Medium |
Southwest | Low-Medium |
JetBlue | Low-Medium |
Frontier | Ultra Low |
Spirit | Ultra Low |
The major network carriers like Delta, American, and United typically have higher base fares. Southwest and JetBlue offer budget-friendly options, while Frontier and Spirit advertise some of the lowest fares you’ll find to Florida.
However, it’s also important to consider fees when comparing airline costs. The ultra low-cost carriers often charge separate fees for carry-on bags, seat assignments, snacks, and other perks that are included in the ticket price on full-service airlines. So sometimes you can end up paying nearly as much on Spirit or Frontier as you would for a standard economy ticket with Delta or American.
Amenities and extras
In addition to routes and fares, the amenities and perks offered by airlines can make a big difference in the quality of your travel experience. Here’s an overview of what each Florida airline offers:
Airline | Amenities |
---|---|
Delta | Free snacks and soft drinks even in economy; free entertainment; power ports; free Wifi messaging |
American | Power ports on most planes; free entertainment on flights over 1.5 hours; WiFi available for purchase |
United | Power ports; free snacks on longer flights; paid entertainment and WiFi |
Southwest | Free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks; free live TV; WiFi available for purchase |
JetBlue | Free snacks and soft drinks; free entertainment and satellite TV; free WiFi |
Frontier | No free amenities unless purchased; entertainment and WiFi available for fee |
Spirit | No free amenities unless purchased; entertainment and WiFi available for fee |
As you can see, amenities vary widely between the full-service legacy carriers like Delta and American, and the ultra low-cost airlines like Frontier and Spirit. Delta and JetBlue in particular stand out for offering extras like free inflight entertainment, WiFi, snacks, and drinks even in economy class.
Loyalty programs and elite status
Frequent flyers may also want to consider airline loyalty programs when choosing a carrier. Here’s a quick overview of the major domestic airline programs:
- Delta SkyMiles – Earn miles by flying Delta and partners; perks include free checked bags, upgrades, lounge access
- American AAdvantage – Mileage earnings and elite status tiers similar to Delta; Oneworld alliance benefits
- United MileagePlus – Earn award miles and Premier elite status on United; Star Alliance partner perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards – Earn points by flying; redemption flexibility; benefits like upgraded boarding
- JetBlue TrueBlue – Earn points on JetBlue; redeem for flights; mosaic elite status
- Frontier EarlyReturns – Earn miles on Frontier flights; redemption for travel
- Spirit Free Spirit – Tiers and bonuses for frequent Spirit travelers
For regular travelers to Florida, airline programs like Delta SkyMiles and American AAdvantage offer the most valuable elite benefits like lounge access, extra legroom seats, free checked bags, priority boarding, and more. JetBlue Mosaic status also offers nice perks on that airline.
Customer satisfaction
Traveler happiness and reviews can also help determine the best airlines. Here’s an overview of how the major Florida carriers rate in recent customer satisfaction surveys and reports:
Airline | Customer satisfaction |
---|---|
Delta | High |
American | Medium |
United | Low |
Southwest | High |
JetBlue | High |
Frontier | Low |
Spirit | Low |
Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue consistently earn high marks from travelers for customer service, on-time performance, and overall experience. American Airlines lands in the middle of the pack, while United, Frontier and Spirit lag behind when it comes to passenger satisfaction.
Conclusion: Best airlines for flying to Florida
So taking all these factors into account – route networks, fares, amenities, loyalty programs and customer satisfaction – which airlines come out on top for Florida travel? Here is our breakdown of the best Florida airlines in different categories:
Best overall: Delta
With extensive routes throughout the state, good amenities even in economy class, excellent customer satisfaction and a high-value frequent flyer program, Delta provides the best overall experience for flying to Florida destinations.
Best budget airline: Southwest
For travelers focused mainly on lower fares, Southwest is hard to beat when flying within Florida. The airline has an extensive route map, lots of daily nonstop flights, and consistently affordable ticket prices.
Best ultra-low cost: Frontier
If you just want the absolute cheapest flights and don’t mind paying extra fees, Frontier offers some incredibly low base fares on flights connecting through its Denver and Orlando hubs.
Best perks: JetBlue
JetBlue stands out for including amenities like live TV, free high-speed WiFi, complimentary snacks and soft drinks, and generally excellent customer service, even at base fares.
No matter your priorities – be it price, schedules, extras or overall experience – one of these airlines is likely to meet your needs for an upcoming Florida getaway. Happy and safe travels!