Final answer:
Although the provided information does not declare specific rankings for America's best general and budget airlines, Alaska and Pinnacle Airlines received fewer complaints compared to others in February 2013.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about which airline was voted America's best Airline in general and America's best Budget Airline does not provide a straightforward response as the provided information does not specify current rankings or awards.
However, focusing on customer satisfaction, the data from February 2013 about the number of complaints could suggest different levels of service quality among airlines like Alaska Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, and AirTran Airlines, with the first two potentially having a better performance compared to American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. Still, it does not confirm an overall ranking as many factors are considered in such accolades.
Since Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, which allowed for a free-market environment in determining airfares and schedules, the U.S. airline industry has undergone significant changes with mergers, bankruptcies, and varying levels of competition. These dynamics contribute to the performance and public perception of different airlines.
Consumer complaints are only one measure of an airline's quality. To discern the best airline, it would be essential to consider a broad range of factors such as safety records, punctuality, customer service, airfare pricing, amenities, and more. Rankings also vary yearly based on ongoing performance assessments by different organizations and consumer feedback.