Survey Says Southwest Airlines Has the Nicest Flight Attendants, Which Airline Has the Rudest?

As airlines continue to cut services and raise fees, customers hoping for a delightful in-flight experience may not be in luck, depending on which carrier they choose.

Airfarewatchdog surveyed 3,400 frequent fliers. The participants were asked to name the rudest flight attendants by carrier.

Coming in first with 26 percent of the votes for having the rudest flight attendants was low-cost, low-service carrier Spirit. Spirit is known to charge customers for carry-on bags, water and even a $199 charge to sit near the front of the plane.

Taking second place with 14 percent of the votes for rude flight attendants was Air Canada. Back in 2013, however, Air Canada received the honor of "the best flight attendants in North America" by U.S.-based Premier Traveler Magazine.

Frontier Airlines takes third place for the rudest flight attendants. The struggling airline has cut service to many cities across the U.S., and current owner Republic Airlines is looking to sell it.

At fourth place for the rudest flight attendants, according to the survey, is Virgin America. Virgin America's position near the top of the list surprised Airfarewatchdog founder and president George Hobica. Hobica said he never had a problem with Virgin America except on one occasion.

"Although in all my years of traveling, I'd never had a problem with a flight attendant until I flew first class on Virgin America and encountered the rudest, most inattentive flight attendant I can ever remember. So maybe there's something going on there," Hobica said.

Two popular U.S.-based airlines tied for sixth rudest flight attendants on the survey. United Airlines and US Airways are both involved in recent mergers. United and Continental Airlines merged in 2010 while US Airways will merge with American Airlines. With these mergers on their minds, these airlines may not spend as much time on training flight attendants as they do on other activities.

Last on the list, meaning they have the least rude flight attendants, was Southwest Airlines. Southwest has made strides in the airline industry with their two free check bags, no change fees and other passenger-friendly services. Their flight attendants can be described as "perky" and friendly, and the airline still keeps low prices.