2024 AirHelp Score winners: Best 10 airlines in the world

Drumroll, please… ✈ The AirHelp Score 2024 is here, and we’re unveiling the crème de la crème of airlines that took travel experiences to new heights. 

Every year we compare the world’s biggest and most popular airlines and rate them according to their punctuality, quality of service, and how well they handle claims for compensation. 

Which airline’s jaw-dropping punctuality left their customers smiling long after landing? Who made flying feel like a first-class dream? Let’s find out as we countdown the stars of the skies for 2024! 

10. Air Serbia. Serbia. 

Headquartered in the Serbian capital Belgrade, Air Serbia bagged a very respectable 10th place with an AirHelp score of 7.53 out of 10. 

As an airline with one of smallest fleets in this year’s top 10, it’s actually one of the biggest movers, gaining a simply staggering 51 places on 2023’s edition of the AirHelp Score. For the most part, their ascent is due to a wholesale improvement in claim processing, showing that when flights–to one of over 70 destinations worldwide–don’t go to plan, Air Serbia knows how to look after its customers. 

Congratulations Air Serbia, for securing top spot for claim processing with a score of 9.0 out of 10. 

9. Widerøe. Norway. 

Widerøe, pronounced “VEE-deh-ruh”, came 9th last year and 9th once again in this year’s AirHelp Score with a solid 7.55 out of 10. 

The Nordic regional airline scores particularly highly for punctuality with 8.6. Impressive, considering its role as a provider of “essential public transportation in rural Norway”, which often involves short take-offs and landings at airstrips (not airports) in remote locations. 

Their Dash 8 aircraft (think short, narrow-bodied planes with propellers) sometimes take particularly short routes: for example, flying from the island of Røst to Bodø on the mainland takes only 25 minutes. Great work Widerøe. 💪

8. Air Arabia. United Arab Emirates. 

Founded just over twenty years ago, Air Arabia features in the AirHelp score for the first time this year, making an 8th place finish with an overall score of 7.58 out of 10 all the more admirable. 

Proving that youth is in no way synonymous with a lack of quality, the low-cost Emirati airline is fondly thought of by customers whose travels have and haven’t gone to plan, with decent scores for quality of service and claim processing. 

However, in order to move up in next year’s rankings, Air Arabia will need to be more punctual – their rating of 6.3 out of 10 for On Time Performance is comfortably the lowest in the top 10. 

7. LOT Polish Airlines. Poland. 

This year’s number 7 is one of the world’s oldest airlines, LOT, which scored a total of 7.84 out of 10. 

The Polish airline operates a modern fleet of aircraft consisting of Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes, and Boeing 737s for regional and medium-haul flights. While customers rated LOT particularly highly for the quality of service (8.4/10), keen fans of the AirHelp Score might notice that the airline has dropped a few places from 3rd last year. But don’t worry, we still think a 7th place finish is mighty fine. 

6.  Austrian Airlines. Austria. 

Austrian Airlines is the epitome of consistency, ranking in the top 10 for 3 consecutive years and grabbing 6th place, as they did last year, with a score of 7.89 out of 10. 

It’s not surprising that Austrian secured its highest ratings in the Customer Opinion category with 8.2, considering the array of culinary delights onboard. Having checked their latest menus, we’d be ordering the schnitzel followed by a generous helping of strudel.

5. Play. Iceland. 

This year’s highest-scoring newcomer and the bonafide baby of the list is Iceland’s Play Airlines with 7.89 out of 10. 

Founded as recently as 2019, the Keflavík-based airline is the most punctual in the top 10 with a score of 9.0. Did you know that Play typically transports passengers between North America and Europe via Iceland, and customers can book up to 10-day stayovers in Iceland on either the outbound or return leg of the journey for no extra cost? 

4. American Airlines. USA. 

American Airlines started a trend of American gains in this year’s top 10, jumping 3 places from 7th to 4th with a score of 8.04 out of 10.

A merger of around 80 smaller airlines in the 1930s, AA is now one of the world’s largest fleets, carrying over 500,000 passengers daily to more than 350 destinations around the world. 

3. United Airlines. USA. 

Up 7 places from 2023, United Airlines takes this year’s bronze medal with an overall score of 8.04 out of 10.

It’s safe to say that United kept turbulence in check this year, scoring 8.5 for claim processing and looking after customers when flights don’t go to plan–no mean feat for a company headquartered in Chicago, the windy city. 

2. Qatar Airways. Qatar. 

Qatar Airways clinched a silver medal this year with an overall score of 8.11 out of 10.

But for a couple of percentage points, the Doha-based airline would have enjoyed an exceptional tenth-consecutive first-placed finish. Even though we know they’ll be disappointed, Qatar Airways should take pride in their simply brilliant ranking for Customer Opinion (8.9), unsurprising for an airline widely regarded as the global benchmark for class and luxury in air travel.

1. Brussels Airlines. Belgium. 

So it’s finally time to crown Brussels Airlines as our 2024 star of the skies. Reaching first place just by an inch with an overall 8.12 out of 10, the Belgian airline takes top spot by simply being an allrounder with strong ratings across all 3 categories.

Brussels Airlines climbed an impressive 11 places in the rankings this year, and showcased a keen attention to handling claims for compensation, racking up 8.7/10 and finishing 3rd in that category overall. The carrier’s tagline, “You’re in good company” would appear to ring true, especially for those passengers whose flights haven’t gone to plan. 

If you’re dreaming of hopping around Europe’s hippest cities or diving into the vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa, Brussels Airlines has proven they’re the go-to this year—perhaps it’s time to see where they can take you?

Congratulations Brussels Airlines. Keep up the good work!

Now you know which airlines are the best to fly with

We think you’ll know exactly who to choose for your next flight adventure.

It’s fair to say these airlines don’t just excel in comfort and punctuality–they’re also some of the best in the business when it comes to handling flight compensation. As you might expect, we kinda like that. Congratulations to all the winners. 

Want to know which airlines to avoid? Check out our blog post about the world's worst airlines.

Did you also know that you can claim compensation for delayed, canceled, 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!