If you’re the kind of person that won’t see a movie, read a book, or dine at a restaurant without checking out the reviews first, then you’ll definitely want to peruse Zagat’s rating for best airlines before you book flights for the holidays this year.

Approximately 5,900 passengers voted for 16 US airlines and 66 foreign airlines on comfort, food, and service. The voters averaged 17 flights a year, and most were business travelers booking on airline websites. Smaller airlines took the prize from the larger US carriers.

Virgin America and Midwest Airlines took the cake with high scores of 21 out of Zagat’s 30, and JetBlue won for best large US airline, with 19 points.

Continental won for best premium-class passengers, American ranked number two, and Delta ranked number three.

The Virgin company as a whole made out with awards, as Virgin Atlantic won the title for best frequent flier program, and Virgin America won for best website.

© Cheapflights Ltd Andrea Mooney