The prestigious World Airline Awards have unveiled their definitive ranking of Europe's best airlines, delivering a list packed with surprises that sees Turkish Airlines claim the continent's top honour.
Budget Giants Grounded
In a significant blow to the low-cost sector, popular budget carriers Ryanair and easyJet failed to secure positions in the top 10. The rankings, compiled by Skytrax, are based entirely on comprehensive customer surveys. Travellers rated airlines on critical factors including staff friendliness, cabin cleanliness, seat comfort, and even the quality of the airline's website.
Skytrax, a leading international air transport rating organisation, operates a platform where passengers can post detailed reviews of airlines and airports worldwide.
The Continental Champions
Soaring to the number one position was Turkish Airlines, Turkey's flag carrier. The airline, certified as a four-star airline by Skytrax, operates numerous routes from the UK to destinations like Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya. Its flights depart from major UK hubs including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
In its assessment, Skytrax noted: "Turkish Airlines delivers a good experience to customers, and for short-haul travel the airline provides a superior experience versus many other legacy carriers in Europe."
Air France secured a strong position on the list, operating from several UK airports. The UK's own British Airways clinched a respectable fourth place, while Virgin Atlantic followed as the next British contender in sixth place. Virgin Atlantic connects travellers from London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh to long-haul destinations such as the USA, Canada, Korea, and India.
Legroom Study Reveals Surprises
Separately, a recent study into airline legroom yielded unexpected results, particularly concerning budget airlines. The investigation, conducted by Which?, analysed 12 popular carriers to determine the inches of space passengers receive.
Contrary to common assumptions about cramped budget flights, easyJet offered a competitive 29 inches of legroom, placing it third on the list. Aer Lingus led the pack with 31-32 inches, while British Airways provided a decent 29-31 inches.
At the bottom of the legroom ranking were TUI and Wizz Air, both offering a seat pitch of 28 inches. The findings show that the difference between the best and worst for economy class legroom is not as vast as many might think.
The 10 best airlines in Europe according to Skytrax are:
- Turkish Airlines
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
- British Airways
- Lufthansa
- Virgin Atlantic
- Iberia
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Finnair
