There have been numerous changes implemented and announced by the three major U.S. airlines, United, American and Delta, in recent months with modifications to frequent flyer programs, credit cards, bank relationships, planes, routes and service.

For the third consecutive year, Qantas has been named the world’s safest airline. On January 5, 2016, safety and product rating website AirlineRatings.com announced its top 20 safest airlines using a star rating system. Some 407 airlines were reviewed, with 148 receiving the top seven-star rating. Almost 50 earned a paltry three stars or less.

Flight delays are a part of the traveling experience, but wouldn’t it help if you knew ahead of time which airlines have the best track record when it comes to getting you to your destination on time, and which ones have the worst? With the release of the U.S Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report, we do – and Hawaiian Airlines took the top spot, with 90% of their flights being on time for take off and landing

According to U.S. News & World Report, Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan is the best airline reward program of 2015, the first year the carrier placed number one in the rankings.

Sometimes a situation calls for a soundtrack. For Southwest Airlines, that song could easily be the recent hit “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. A new study from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that Southwest Airlines has the happiest customers among air carriers.

When you want a good seat at a restaurant, schmooze with the maître d’. When you want a great seat at a concert, it helps to know the performer. When you want a seat on a plane, however, no amount of schmoozing or name dropping works. Moreover, no amount of points or miles can get you on a flight without available award seats.