2023 AirHelp Score winners: Top 10 airlines in the world

This year’s AirHelp Score is here and the verdict is in — these are 2023’s best airlines in the world.

Every year, we compare the globe's biggest and most popular airlines and rate them according to their punctuality, customer service, and how well they pay out compensation claims for flight delays and cancellations.

So, after comparing the claims stats and on-time performance of 83 of the world’s biggest airlines, as well as analyzing more than 15,000 reviews to get an honest idea of overall customer experience, here are the very best airlines of 2023:

10. United Airlines

Chicago-based United Airlines slipped to 10th place this year, with an AirHelp score of 7.88 out of 10.

Though there was a very slight drop in their ranking this year, United still managed to reach a top spot on our list. This is thanks to their very respectable claim processing score of 8.1, which places them second among the top 10 for fair treatment of customers during a disruption.

United has one of the largest fleets in the world, with over 900 aircraft flying routes across 6 continents. They handle both US domestic and international flights.

9. Widerøe

One of the newest airlines to break into our top airlines list is Norway’s largest regional airline, Widerøe. They achieved an overall AirHelp score of 7.89 out of 10.

A well-established airline founded in the early 1930s by famed aviator Viggo Widerøe, the company originally started as a cartography business, where they mapped out over 4,000 kilometers of the Antarctic coastline.

Over time however, they became a commercial airline and now specialize in point-to-point flights — that is, flying passengers directly from one destination to another without passing through a central hub.

8. China Airlines

China Airlines, founded in 1959, is the flag carrier of Taiwan and one of the country’s 2 major airlines, the other being EVA Air. They employ over 11,200 staff, with the majority of them based in Taiwan. Their overall AirHelp Score is 7.92.

What makes China Airlines stand out in our list is that they are among the best performers when it comes to claim processing, with a score of 8.2 out of 10 — taking the top spot for claim processing performance, ensuring that their customers are well-compensated when a flight goes wrong. A true champion of air passenger rights!

7. American Airlines

American Airlines is another major airline founded in the 1930s and they come in 7th place with a score of 7.97 out of 10, scoring particularly well in customer opinion.

They had their start when 80 smaller airline companies decided to unite under one. Today, it is one of the largest airlines when measured by the number of passengers carried, operating nearly 6,800 flights and carrying more than 500,000 passengers daily.

Their fleet consists of mostly narrow-body aircraft, with the oldest of them being the N102AN, a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft built in 1998. Despite flying with some older aircraft in their fleet, they keep them well-maintained and furnish them with the latest amenities.

6. Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines is one of the airlines that consistently makes the lists for top airlines in the world. They scored 8.07 in our global ranking, with an especially strong performance in customer opinion and on-time performance.

Based in Vienna, Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier of Austria and connects the country with the rest of the world. They’re also an exceptionally old airline, first founded in 1923 — this means they're over 100 years old!

5. All Nippon Airways

Japan-based All Nippon Airways, or ANA for short, is a multi-award winning airline. Over the years they’ve won numerous awards in categories such as best airline staff, best long-haul flight services, best in on-time performance, cleanliness, and many, many more.

Their focus on customer service and their keen attention to detail also reflects on our AirHelp Score, where they score highest in the world for customer satisfaction, with a rating of 8.9 out of 10 and their overall AirHelp score is 8.09 out of 10. All Nippon Airways is a well-loved airline by passengers.

4. Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways was founded in 2003 in Abu Dhabi and has an AirHelp score of 8.09 out of 10. Though one of the newer airlines on our list of best airlines in the world, they've already established themselves as a juggernaut in customer service and comfort.

They are especially famous for their luxury services, offering passengers flight experiences that are one step above First Class. Their Residence cabins, for example, provide VIPs with a full three-room suite that includes its own bedroom, living room, and en-suite shower.

3. LOT Polish Airlines

Perhaps the dark horse of his year’s AirHelp Score is LOT Polish Airlines, who climbed a whopping 9 positions compared to last year.

LOT is another old, well-established airline and was founded in 1929, almost 94 years ago. As Poland’s flag carrier, they connect the country with the rest of the world, flying to over 120 destinations globally.

This year, they scored an impressive 8.11 out of 10.

2. Eurowings

German carrier Eurowings is a low-cost airline and a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. Though low-cost carriers tend to not break into the top 10 airlines in the world due to the fact that they tend to come with only the most basic services to keep their operating costs low, Eurowings still managed to take this year’s number 2 spot with an impressive score of 8.27 out of 10.

They performed exceptionally well in terms of on-time performance, with a score of 9.3 — making them this year’s most punctual carrier in the world!

1. Qatar Airways

What would an airline list be without Qatar Airways? One of the most prestigious and well-respected airlines flying today, Qatar’s national carrier consistently ranks among the top airlines in the world. They are the top performing AirHelp Score airline for the 9th consecutive year.

Qatar Airways is synonymous with excellence and a top choice among business travelers and VIPs. They are especially popular for their exceptional Qsuite business class cabins, which come with lie-flat beds, modular privacy panels, and an exceptional dining experience.

Flying high for 2023

Now that you know who made this year’s top airlines in the world, you know who to choose if you want to fly with the best of the best the next time you take to the skies.

These airlines not only provide a comfortable flight experience, but are also among the best in flight compensation, which is always a major plus in our book. Congrats to all of this year’s winners!

Did you also know that you can claim compensation for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights from up to 3 years ago? AirHelp is here to help you check if your flight is eligible — it’s quick, easy, and totally risk-free!