This little-known domestic air carrier was just voted best in the U.S.

Air travel seems to come with a lot more hassle every year (at least we don't have to take our shoes off anymore!), but some airlines go above and beyond to make a passenger feel comfortable during the process. And according to nearly 180,000 Travel + Leisure readers who voted in the 2025 World’s Best Awards survey, there’s one domestic air carrier that reportedly stands out among all the others—and you've probably never heard of it.

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JSX, a public charter air carrier, just snagged the number one spot as the best domestic carrier, blowing past the stacked competition with a reader score of 92.29 out of 100. For context, the next closest airline, Hawaiian Airlines, scored 79.92. That’s not a close race—that’s a rout.

So what exactly makes JSX so special? Readers say it starts before you even board. Flying JSX feels a bit like having your own private jet: smaller airports, no crowded terminals and the ability to check in just 20 minutes before takeoff. Security is frictionless, thanks to TSA-approved screening areas that skip the lines. Inside, passengers get free Starlink Wi-Fi, roomy leather seats and business-class vibes without the business-class price tag.

As one T+L reader put it: “Almost like flying private. Friendly staff, easy check-in, help with boarding, luggage.” That’s the charm JSX sells, and clearly, it’s working.

JSX mainly serves the western U.S., with a few routes linking to Florida, the East Coast and even Mexico. And while you won’t see them at every big-city airport, that’s the point—they specialize in point-to-point flights that dodge the chaos of major hubs.

The rest of T+L’s top 10 list includes familiar names like Hawaiian Airlines, Breeze Airways, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines (the only "big four" carrier to crack the top five). But none came close to JSX’s sky-high score.

In a world where most domestic flights still feel like a test of patience, JSX shows there’s another way, offering smaller crowds, faster boarding and personal service.

The best airlines in the U.S., according to Travel +Leisure readers

1. JSX
2. Hawaiian Airlines
3. Breeze Airways
4. Alaska Airlines
5. Delta Air Lines
6. JetBlue
7. Southwest
8. United
9. American Airlines
10. Sun Country Airlines.