I recently came across the Skytrax site – which does market research, analysis and more – for clients that have included Delta and the Star Alliance.

The company has a great motto: they give advice “without fear or favour”. But what I especially like is their airline “star ranking” system.

Skytrax’s highest ranking, 5 Stars, is bestowed upon the usual suspects: Asiana, Kingfisher, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia and Cathay Pacific (although beside the name, Cathay Pacific, is the somewhat cryptic phrase, “under review”).

So where do U.S. airlines stand? Keep reading – I think you’ll be especially interested in both the “4 Stars” and “2 Stars” categories…

The “4 Stars” airlines include three U.S. carriers, and see if you agree with this: Frontier, JetBlue and Midwest (but do read to the end to see another carrier that may well be included in this group shortly).

The “3 Stars” ranks include the U.S. legacy carriers (American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, US Airways) plus Southwest and the rest.

The “2 Stars” ranks include mostly airlines of developing nations (Air Malawi) plus one familiar name: Ryanair. Perhaps Skytrax heard about plans by the European low cost carrier to charge passengers for bathroom visits.

Only one airline got a “1 Star” rating: North Korea’s Air Koryo (in the comments section, I was tickled by this rather restrained quote: “I think one of the engines may have been inoperative, but otherwise the flight was fine.”).

One glaring omission: Virgin America – but according to the authors of this system, the airline has yet to be ranked (the matter is “in progress”). I guess Skytrax likes to take its time; Virgin America has only been flying for 2+ years now. I’m sure it will find a place in the “4 Stars” category.