BERLIN- AirHelp has released a comprehensive 2024 AirHelp Score report, analyzing airline performance globally and categorizing them as the best and worst airlines in the world.
AirHelp’s annual assessment provides a detailed evaluation of airline performance by examining multiple critical factors. The methodology incorporates customer claims processed worldwide, comprehensive data tracking of on-time arrival and departure performance, and passenger feedback from over 54 countries.
The report analyzes key performance indicators including flight punctuality, customer service responsiveness, and claim resolution efficiency. Researchers collected data on how airlines handle flight disruptions, manage compensation claims, and deliver consistent service across international routes.
By aggregating data from multiple sources, AirHelp creates a comprehensive ranking system that goes beyond traditional performance metrics. The analysis considers not just operational efficiency, but also the human experience of air travel, including factors like crew service quality, meal offerings, and passenger comfort.
The timing of the report provides travelers with crucial insights just before the peak holiday travel season.
According to the report, IndiGo ranks 103rd out of 109 airlines analyzed by AirHelp in 2024. While the flag carrier of India, Air India (AI) ranked 61st in ranking with a 4.1/10 score for claim handling.
India’s largest domestic carrier, rated 4.80/10, provides an affordable gateway to the country’s rich cultural heartlands.
IndiGo has grown rapidly, expanding its fleet to over 360 aircraft and operating more than 2,000 daily flights across 77 domestic and 33 international destinations.
Despite fairly punctual flights and decent service, its dismal 0.3/10 score for claim handling secures its spot among the world’s worst 10 airlines.
Let’s delve into the 10 worst carrier list:
Rank | Airline Name | Country | IATA Code |
---|---|---|---|
100 | Sky Express | Greece | GQ |
101 | Air Mauritius | Mauritius | MK |
102 | Tarom | Romania | RO |
103 | IndiGo | India | 6E |
104 | Pegasus Airlines | Turkey | PC |
105 | El Al Israel Airlines | Israel | LY |
106 | Bulgaria Air | Bulgaria | FB |
107 | Nouvelair | Tunisia | BJ |
108 | Buzz | Poland | RR |
109 | Tunisair | Tunisia | TU |
Tunisair emerged as the most problematic and worst carrier, scoring lowest in both punctuality and customer satisfaction. The national airline of Tunisia struggled to meet basic passenger expectations, performing poorly across all critical service metrics.
Buzz, Ryanair’s Polish subsidiary, ranked second with an overall score of 4.45. The budget airline, known for its bee-themed aircraft, failed to impress in key performance categories. Despite serving popular European destinations like Kraków and Gdańsk, Buzz demonstrated significant operational shortcomings.
Nouvelair, another Tunisian airline, secured the third position with a low score of 4.48. The carrier’s performance was marred by unpunctuality and ineffective claim handling, undermining its aspirational branding.
Bulgaria Air ranked fourth, scoring 4.9 out of 10. While marginally better in claim processing compared to other bottom-ranked airlines, the Bulgarian national carrier still failed to meet acceptable industry standards.
El Al Israel Airlines ranked fifth, scoring 4.60. Despite receiving high marks for service quality and culinary offerings, the airline’s poor punctuality and claim processing significantly impacted its overall performance.
Pegasus Airlines from Turkey ranked sixth with 4.73, highlighting challenges in passenger claim resolution. The low-cost carrier struggled to manage passenger expectations during service disruptions.
TAROM, Romania’s national carrier, ranked eighth with 4.82. The airline received the joint-worst rating for claim processing, scoring a disappointing 0.0 out of 10.
Air Mauritius ranked ninth, scoring 4.84. Despite offering quality inflight services, the airline’s lack of punctuality and poor claim processing significantly impacted its ranking.
SKY Express from Greece rounded out the bottom ten, scoring 4.86. The small fleet airline particularly struggled with compensation claim processing, scoring a mere 0.1 out of 10.
Here’s a list of the 10 best airlines according to the AirHelp report:
Rank | Airline Name | IATA Code | Country |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Brussels Airlines | SN | Belgium |
2 | Qatar Airways | QR | Qatar |
3 | United Airlines | UA | United States |
4 | American Airlines | AA | United States |
5 | Play | OG | Iceland |
6 | Austrian Airlines | OS | Austria |
7 | LOT Polish Airlines | LO | Poland |
8 | Air Arabia | G9 | United Arab Emirates |
9 | Widerøe | WF | Norway |
10 | Air Serbia | JU | Serbia |
Brussels Airlines has been crowned the world’s best airline for 2024, securing the top position with an impressive overall score of 8.12 out of 10. The Belgian carrier distinguished itself through exceptional performance across punctuality, service quality, and compensation claim handling.
Qatar Airways claimed the second spot with an outstanding 8.11 score. The Doha-based airline narrowly missed a tenth consecutive first-place finish, maintaining its reputation for luxury and customer satisfaction. The carrier particularly excelled in customer opinion, scoring 8.9 out of 10.
United Airlines and American Airlines represented strong performances from the United States, both securing top-four positions. United Airlines jumped an impressive seven places to claim third place with an 8.04 score, while American Airlines moved up three places to fourth, also scoring 8.04.
Play Airlines from Iceland emerged as the most notable newcomer, ranking fifth with a 7.89 score. The young airline, founded in 2019, demonstrated exceptional punctuality, achieving a perfect 9.0 score in on-time performance. Notably, Play offers unique travel options, allowing passengers to book up to 10-day stopovers in Iceland at no extra cost.
Austrian Airlines maintained consistency, ranking sixth with a 7.89 score and securing its third consecutive top-ten placement. The carrier received particularly high marks in customer opinion, scoring 8.2 out of 10, largely attributed to its exceptional onboard culinary offerings.
LOT Polish Airlines ranked seventh, scoring 7.84. The airline operates a modern fleet including Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 737s, with customers rating its service quality at 8.4 out of 10.
Air Arabia made an impressive debut, ranking eighth with a 7.58 score. The United Arab Emirates-based low-cost carrier demonstrated strong potential, particularly in service quality and claim processing. However, the airline will need to improve punctuality to climb higher in future rankings.
Widerøe, a Norwegian regional airline, secured the ninth position with a 7.55 score. The carrier specializes in providing essential transportation in rural Norway, operating challenging routes with short take-offs and landings at remote airstrips.
Air Serbia completed the top ten, climbing a remarkable 51 places from the previous year. The airline scored 7.53, with a standout performance in claim processing, achieving a perfect 9.0 score.
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