Travel expert Simon Calder has named Ryanair as the best airline in the world, citing its exceptional safety record, value for money, and friendly crew. Speaking on The Travel Expert podcast for the Daily Telegraph, Calder defended the budget carrier against common criticisms, including its bare-bones service and strict baggage enforcement.
Safety and Value at the Forefront
Calder noted that Ryanair has flown 2.2 billion passengers without a fatal accident, making it one of the safest airlines globally. He also highlighted the low fares, saying he paid only £52 for three flights. “Ryanair is not just the biggest budget airline in Europe, I think it's probably the best carrier in the world,” Calder said.
Host Greg Dickinson expressed surprise at the claim, responding, “The world?!” Calder continued: “It's got the best safety record of any airline, it's flown 2.2 billion people without any fatal accidents. It's mostly on time, I found the staff to be uniformly very friendly and hospitable, and best of all is the price.”
Market Dominance and Operations
In 2025, Ryanair operated more routes than any other airline, serving 5,400 airports. Italy remains its top destination with 46 million seats annually, followed by Spain with nearly 39 million seats. The carrier is Italy's largest domestic airline, commanding 48% of the market. London Stansted is its busiest hub, with Dublin second.
Ryanair posted an operating profit of €2,374.2 million in 2025, operating a fleet of 647 short-haul aircraft and carrying 208 million booked passengers.
Public Perception and CEO Style
Despite its success, Ryanair often faces criticism for its no-frills experience, add-on fees, and combative social media presence. CEO Michael O'Leary is known for his blunt, commercially driven opinions. Dickinson concluded, “I think sometimes, Simon, we will just have to agree to disagree.”
