Delta Air Lines has retained its position as the top carrier in the United States, clinching the Best U.S. Airline title for the third year running, according to Punch.
The honour was announced at the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards. The airline disclosed the milestone in an official statement released on Monday, noting that keeping the award for three consecutive years shows its drive to satisfy travellers who demand high-quality service alongside safe travel.
In addition to the top overall honour, Delta picked up five other awards at the ceremony. These honours acknowledged the airline’s premium cabin options, ground hospitality, loyalty system, and technology tools.
Delta First on the Airbus A321neo claimed the prize for best domestic first class, while Delta One secured the title for top business-class service. Its luxury business cabin provides passengers on long-haul trips with lie-flat seats, Missoni amenity packs with Grown Alchemist skincare items, and an updated international wine menu featuring selections from Napa Valley.
On the ground, the Delta One Lounge located at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York was named the best airline lounge in the country. The lounge treats travellers to dining services, shower suites, relaxation spaces, and quiet spots before boarding.
Delta also celebrated a first with its SkyMiles initiative, which won the award for top loyalty programme. The scheme enables travellers to earn points on flights and day-to-day spending to book future trips. The company’s Fly Delta platform was likewise voted the best airline mobile application.
The latest wins follow other major industry achievements for the carrier in 2026. Earlier in June, travel platform The Points Guy ranked Delta as the best American airline for the eighth year in a row, and TIME magazine included it as the sole airline among America’s top 100 companies for the year.
