Yes, I Know YOU Like Them, But Here Are 3 Airlines I AVOID on Disney World Trips

Flying to Disney World should be exciting — not stressful from the moment you board the plane.

We’ve tested just about every airline under the sun heading to Orlando, and there are a few that, no matter how many times we try to give them another shot, just keep letting us down. We know some of you love these airlines (and hey, no judgment), but based on delays, cancellations, and complaints, these are three we personally avoid when planning our Disney World trips.

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Here’s who made our no-fly list — and why you might want to think twice before booking that budget fare.

Frontier Airlines

Yes, it’s cheap. Yes, it looks like a great deal. But Frontier has more red flags than a parking lot tram at closing time.

According to Newsweek, Frontier racked up the highest complaint rate of any major U.S. airline in 2024 — 23.3 complaints per 100,000 passengers. That’s nearly double Spirit and over 15 times higher than Southwest. These aren’t just people grumbling about legroom. We’re talking missed connections, unexpected fees, lost bags, and canceled vacations.

The problems don’t stop there. CNBC reported that Frontier also had the worst on-time performance, with 28.1% of its flights arriving late by 15 minutes or more. That’s almost one in three flights. If you’ve got dining reservations, airport shuttles, or a limited park-day schedule, that delay can really mess things up.

Oh, and according to Newsweek, they had the highest cancellation rate too — 2.56% of all scheduled flights were canceled in 2024. That may not sound huge, but if it’s your flight? That’s your Disney day gone.

Spirit Airlines

We know this one has its fans. And hey, if you’re flying solo with a backpack and no schedule to keep, maybe it works for you. But if you’re headed to Disney World with kids, strollers, suitcases, and a game plan? Spirit is not our pick.

Newsweek listed Spirit as having the second-highest complaint rate in 2024 — 12.8 complaints per 100,000 passengers. So yes, not as bad as Frontier, but still way too many issues for our liking.

Cancellations are also a risk. 2.4% of Spirit flights were canceled in 2024, which means there’s a decent chance your plans could get seriously disrupted before you even land in Florida.

Then there are the delays. CNBC reported 23.4% of Spirit’s flights were delayed 15 minutes or more in 2024. And while Spirit wasn’t the worst for cancellations, Newsweek still noted they canceled 2.4% of all scheduled flights, which is uncomfortably high if you’ve got a tight travel window.

JetBlue Airways

This one used to be one of our favorites. Free snacks, comfy seats, decent service. But lately, JetBlue just hasn’t been holding up.

According to Newsweek, JetBlue had the third-highest complaint rate among U.S. airlines in 2024 — 10.4 complaints per 100,000 passengers. That’s a big drop from where they used to be.

CNBC also reports 25% of JetBlue flights were delayed this year. That’s one in four — and that kind of wait can throw off your whole arrival day if you were planning to hit the parks or grab dinner at Disney Springs.

They’re also having a cancellation problem. Newsweek found JetBlue canceled around 1.76% of its scheduled flights in 2024 — more than 2,400 flights. That’s not at the top of the list, but it’s still way more than some of the more reliable carriers. For now, JetBlue is off our go-to list when Disney’s involved.

What We Fly Instead

If you’re looking for a better experience, Newsweek and CNBC both highlight airlines like Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaiian for having the lowest complaint, delay, and cancellation rates.

Southwest, in particular, is usually our go-to for Disney World trips. With only 1.5 complaints per 100,000 passengers and a delay rate under 21%, it just makes the whole experience smoother.

Southwest at Orlando International Airport

We know travel isn’t always predictable, but the right airline can seriously change the tone of your entire Disney trip — before you even touch down at MCO. So if you’re booking flights and weighing those low fares, remember: the cheapest ticket isn’t always the best value.

Stay tuned to AllEars for more on travel.