2025 AirHelp Score winners: Best 10 airlines in the world

The seatbelt sign is on and the results are in. ✈ The AirHelp Score 2025 has touched down, revealing the best airlines in the world — those that turned turbulence into triumph and kept passengers smiling all the way to the luggage carousel.

Each year, we crunch the data to compare the world’s biggest and most beloved airlines, scoring them on punctuality, customer opinion, and how efficiently they process compensation claims. The outcome? The ultimate Top Airline Rankings 2025, a global check-in for excellence at 35,000 feet.

So, which carriers soared, which surprised us, and who’s flying higher than ever? Let’s find out.

10. LOT Polish Airlines — Poland

Kicking off our countdown is LOT Polish Airlines, scoring 7.65 and proving that consistency never goes out of style. One of the world’s oldest carriers, LOT keeps things sleek with a modern fleet and that famous Polish punctuality (8.3 for on-time performance). Whether you’re flying to Chicago or Tokyo, you can expect an unflappable crew, smooth service, and maybe even a friendly “dzień dobry” to start your trip right.

9. Brussels Airlines — Belgium

Last year’s champion slips to ninth, but Brussels Airlines remains the picture of quiet confidence with 7.66. The Belgian flag carrier still leads the top ten for claim processing (8.0) — so when life throws you a delay, Brussels Airlines throws you a quick and fair solution. Add in its themed festival flights to Tomorrowland music festival, and you’ve got an airline that can do both business class and business casual.

8. Saudia — Saudi Arabia

Talk about a glow-up. Saudia rockets up 27 places this year with a 7.69, and passengers are clearly loving the results — a stellar 8.9 in customer opinion. From sleek new interiors to improved on-time scores, this airline has polished its image to a high shine. Saudi hospitality has always been famous on the ground, and now it’s winning hearts in the air too.

7. Oman Air — Oman

Oman Air might just be the chillest airline in the skies. With an on-time performance of 8.8, the best in the entire ranking, it’s punctual to the minute but never in a hurry. Passengers also love the warm Omani welcome and quiet touches, from date-and-coffee service to soothing cabin design. It’s the kind of flight that feels like a spa day with wings.

6. Aeromexico — Mexico

Hola to Aeromexico, the top North American entry in the Best Airline Rankings 2025 with a score of 7.84. This flag carrier has found its groove with 8.4 in punctuality and 8.3 in customer opinion, balancing Mexican warmth with impressive reliability. Whether you’re flying for tacos or cross-border commerce, Aeromexico’s charm and confidence make every journey feel like a fiesta that runs… on time.

5. KM Malta Airlines — Malta

New name, same sunshine. 🌞 KM Malta Airlines makes its top 10 debut with 7.85. After taking over from Air Malta in 2024, it has quickly earned Europe’s best on-time performance score (8.7). The brand may be fresh, but the experience is there: friendly crews, bright cabins, and that Maltese knack for making travel feel like vacation from the first boarding call. 

4. Qantas — Australia

Qantas takes fourth with 7.99, proving that the Flying Kangaroo still has plenty of bounce. The Aussie national carrier’s legendary safety record and top-notch service continue to impress, while “Project Sunrise” promises to connect Sydney directly to New York and London — sunrise to sunrise. Dependable, ambitious, and never afraid of a long haul, Qantas keeps the southern skies smiling.

3. Virgin Atlantic — United Kingdom

The comeback kid of 2025. Virgin Atlantic vaults 27 places into the top three with 8.03, bringing its signature sparkle to the best airlines in the world 2025 ranking. Passengers gave it 8.5 for service quality, applauding the airline’s mix of humor, warmth, and reliability. From its friendly cabin crew to its mood-lit cabins, Virgin makes flying feel fun again… and who doesn’t want that? We certainly do.

2. Etihad Airways — United Arab Emirates

Sleek, serene, and soaring up nine places, Etihad Airways claims silver with 8.07. Passengers love its tranquil style (8.8 for customer opinion), impeccable service, and focus on sustainability. Based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad has built a reputation for calm excellence and is the kind of airline where everything just seems to run beautifully.

1. Qatar Airways — Qatar

And the winner is… Qatar Airways! With an overall AirHelp Score of 8.16, the Doha-based airline takes back its crown as the best airline in the world 2025. Travelers rewarded it with a world-leading 9.1 for customer opinion, praising everything from the comfort of Qsuites to the extraordinary service. Whether you’re sipping Arabic coffee or sailing through Hamad International Airport’s butterfly garden, Qatar continues to define what flying should feel like.

Congratulations, Qatar Airways. First place and flying high once again.

Now you know which airlines are the best to fly with

This year’s Top Airline Rankings 2025 tell a clear story. Middle Eastern airlines still set the gold standard for service, Europe is back with flair, and North America is playing catch up.

From Oman Air’s unshakable calm to Virgin’s return to form, these carriers show that the best airlines aren’t just the biggest — they’re the ones that remember passengers come first.

So if you’ve ever wondered what is the best airline to fly this year, now you know who’s making travel something to smile about again.

And finally, to air passengers here, there, and everywhere: we wish you smooth skies and another year of high-flying excellence.

But don’t worry. If your last flight didn’t quite make you smile, AirHelp can check if you’re owed up to €600 compensation for delays or cancellations. It’s quick, easy, and completely risk-free. Use our compensation checker today.