Qatar Airways has been crowned the world’s best airline for 2025, reclaiming the number one position after five years. The Doha-based airline achieved an impressive overall score of 8.16 in the AirHelp Score rankings, after being overtaken by Brussels Airlines last year.
The ranking was released by AirHelp, a global travel technology company that helps passengers with flight disruptions. This year’s evaluation included 117 airlines, an increase of 8 carriers compared to 2024, providing travelers with a comprehensive view of airline performance worldwide.
Airlines were scored out of 10 points using three equally weighted factors: on-time performance, customer reviews, and how efficiently they process passenger compensation claims. This balanced approach ensures the rankings reflect real passenger experiences rather than just marketing promises.
Qatar Airways stood out particularly in customer opinion, earning an exceptional rating of 9.1. Passengers praised everything from the comfort of the airline’s famous Qsuite business-class cabins to the outstanding service provided by the cabin crew.
Etihad Airways secured second place with a score of 8.07, followed by Virgin Atlantic in third place with 8.03. The top rankings were dominated by Middle Eastern and European airlines, reflecting their investment in modern fleets and customer service.
The AirHelp Score has been published annually since 2015 to help passengers make informed travel decisions. It analyzes data from millions of flights and thousands of passenger reviews to determine which airlines consistently deliver reliability, comfort, and fair treatment when problems occur.
