StudentUniverse, the world’s largest student and youth travel marketplace, has released the results of their annual USA customer survey in which Gen Z travelers ( those born in 1997-2012) rank their favorite airlines.

Over 5,000 young travelers took part in the survey and voting took place across several categories, including 'best value airline', 'most trusted airline' and 'best overall airline'.

Delta Takes Top Spot in Almost All Categories

It was a stellar performance for Delta this year, with the airline reigning supreme in five of six categories, including 'best overall airline', 'most trusted airline' and 'airline with the best service'.

Steven de Blois, Global Managing Director at StudentUniverse, said:

"This year's results reflect the positive reputation Delta has established among Gen Z travelers. It's a timely reminder of the importance of airlines rewarding the loyalty of this mobile demographic by catering to their specific needs, and how offering student rates is the best short-term investment in securing long term customers."

Other national carriers that performed well included United Airlines, which came second in the 'best airline for international travel' and 'most trusted airline' categories, and American Airlines, which took third place in the 'best airline service' and 'best airline value' categories.

Middle Eastern Carriers Capturing Attention

While Delta took the top spot as 'best airline for international travel', close behind in third and fourth place were Middle-East-based Qatar Airways and Emirates. These two airlines are synonymous with quality service and expansive fleets, which often feature the latest tech, quality onboard catering and highly attentive service. And clearly these attributes are not lost on Gen Z, particularly when it comes to Qatar Airways, which also placed in the top five for the 'best overall airline' and 'most trusted airline' categories.

Mirza Smajic, Vice President of Global Air Supply at StudentUniverse, commented:

"It's remarkable to see the increasing importance of Gen Z travelers in shaping the airline industry. The results of this survey provide insightful data for airlines and industry leaders and reaffirm how crucial it is to understand and cater to the needs of Gen Z travelers, a group known for its high value, loyalty and impact on the travel industry. It's an exciting time for airlines to adapt and evolve to meet the needs and expectations of this discerning generation."

StudentUniverse Airline Awards 2023: Full Results

Best overall

Delta (18%)

Southwest (12.2%)

United (11.8%)

AA (11.3%)

Qatar (5.4%)

Best service

Delta (17.5%)

United (12.1%)

AA (12%)

Southwest (11.9%)

Spirit (3.9%)

Most trusted

Delta (24.7%)

United (12.4%)

AA (12%)

Southwest (7.9%)

Qatar (5.5%)

Best value overall

Southwest (14%)

Spirit (13.5%)

AA (9.8%)

United (9.7%)

Delta (9.5%)

Best for international travel

Delta (19.3%)

United (10.2%)

Qatar (9.3%)

Emirates (9.1%)

AA (8.9%)

Best for domestic travel

Delta (29.6%)

AA (16.9%)

United (15.5%)

Southwest (13.7%)

JetBlue (5.1%)

About StudentUniverse

Launched in 2000, StudentUniverse is a Boston-based tech company that operates the world’s largest student and youth travel marketplace. Through negotiations with a network of global partners, StudentUniverse offers exclusive pricing and terms for its members. With operations in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada and the Philippines, StudentUniverse empowers students and youth to travel more. Acquired in 2015, StudentUniverse is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flight Centre Travel Group, one of the world’s largest travel companies. For more updates, follow our corporate blog and LinkedIn.