Southwest only flies Boeing 737 so if you're wanting to avoid Boeing then that's easy one to mark off the list. American and United both fly Airbus planes any of the routes I've been on the last few years. All airlines suck as far as I'm concerned.

another thing I didn't know is how much airlines struggle to stay profitable

Q: How do you become a millionaire?
A: Be a billionaire and start an airline.

On the off chance there's more than one direct flight airline where I want to go... American could be the best of the big ones. Delta is pretty good. I think United is the worst, but I know people who don't hate them. Southwest's boarding procedure that they are getting rid of ticks me off, and I think their "service" has gone downhill to the point of bizarre and undeserved rudeness from the crews. Like they have a chip that's not my fuckin problem.

I'm not sure it's going to make much of a difference what airline you go on. Random chance stuff or stuff that depends on the day you are traveling and where you are going are probably bigger factors than the airline. If you have to take a stop, certain airports are less likely to strand you there. Like, I don't know where you are going, but Phoenix rarely has weather trouble.

SkyWest & GoJet

I believe 737 max planes (the problematic ones) are still grounded. Southwest flies only 737s but the “older” 737 fleet series which have been in use for that last 10-20 years.

Southwest has the best prices for cross country (tho it also depends on your starting point) I like Southwest and Delta (the one I choose depends on where I’m going) then American Airlines. Never liked United and wouldn’t use Spirit for cross country (unless you like the equivalent of bench seats for 5 hours…)