AirHelp unveils world’s best airlines & airports in 2018 AirHelp Score

This week AirHelp, the world’s leading flight compensation company, announced its annual AirHelp Score ratings of the world’s best airlines and airports. The 2018 AirHelp Score resulted in new winners for airlines with Qatar Airways claiming the #1 spot, followed by Lufthansa and Etihad Airways. 72 airlines have been rated in the AirHelp Score Global Airline Ranking, of which Brussels Airlines is ranked 48th (TUI fly Belgium has not been included in the ranking). In the AirHelp Score Airport Ranking of 141 airports, both Brussels South Charleroi (96th) and Brussels Airport (102nd) are scoring rather low (the airports of Antwerp, Liège and Ostend have not been included in the ranking). 

From left to right: ranking – airline – location – on-time performance – quality of service – claim processing – score

From left to right: ranking – airport – location – on-time performance – quality of service – passenger sentiment – score

2018 AirHelp Score Global Airline Ranking – Top

From left to right: ranking – airline – location – on-time performance – quality of service – claim processing – score

AirHelp Score proves airlines who focus on passengers come out on top

Making improvements to on-time performance and claims processing allowed Qatar Airways to dethrone Singapore Airlines, which dropped to #4 among 72 airlines for 2018. Worldwide, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways and South African Airways rounded out the top five. The five airlines falling behind worldwide with the lowest ratings include Air Mauritius, Easyjet, Pakistan International Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines and WOW Air.

2018 AirHelp Score Global Airline Ranking – Bottom

From left to right: ranking – airline – location – on-time performance – quality of service – claim processing – score

“The 2018 AirHelp Score shows that as competition stiffens between airlines those that put passengers first will come out the winners in the long run. For too long airlines have focused on cutting corners and costs without regard to the people they serve. We’re thrilled to see a positive shift in many airlines who are now putting passengers first, and when things do go wrong these airlines are holding themselves accountable by executing the rightfully owed claims quickly and without hassle,” said AirHelp CEO and co-founder Henrik Zillmer. “We congratulate Qatar Airways who consistently puts customers first and has maintained its place in the top three since 2015 and is back at #1 this year. We hope more airlines take note of what these impressive competitors are doing and ensure they improve their performance in the coming year.”

AirHelp Score Airport Ranking – Top

From left to right: ranking – airport – location – on-time performance – quality of service – passenger sentiment – score

AirHelp Score Airport Ranking – Bottom

From left to right: ranking – airport – location – on-time performance – quality of service – passenger sentiment – score

AirHelp Score‘s airport ratings show improvement is still needed

This year saw a shift in airport ratings as well. Customers enjoyed the best experience at Hamad International Airport, Athens International Airport and Tokyo Haneda International Airport who were ranked top 3 along, whereas London Stansted Airport and Kuwait International Airport fell short with the bottom spots.

“It is clear there is a need for significant improvement, with overbooked flights and cancellations making national headlines month after month, and the consistent mistreatment of consumers,” said Zillmer. “It is no wonder most airlines and airports received poor ratings on the AirHelp Score. It is more important than ever for consumers to fight for their air passenger rights.”

The 2018 AirHelp Score marks the company’s sixth report since it began evaluations in 2015. AirHelp developed this annual report to combine expert knowledge and industry expertise to give air passengers all the information they need to informatively book a flight and feel confident in their choices. To view AirHelp Score in full please visit airhelp.com .

Air passengers who have experienced a delayed or cancelled flight can check their eligibility for compensation on the go, and make a claim in a matter of minutes through the free AirHelp mobile app, available for iOS and Android. Also, using AirHelp’s new tool , travelers can check flights’ compensation eligibility automatically for past and future flights.

The AirHelp Score is the most comprehensive and accurate data-based evaluation of airlines and airports, rating them on quality of service, on-time performance, claim processing and online consumer sentiment analysis.