Airport
The Best and Worst Airlines and Airports of 2019
Today AirHelp, the world’s largest organization for air passenger rights, is announcing the results of its annual AirHelp Score which rates global airlines and airports. First launched in 2015, AirHelp Score is the most comprehensive data-based evaluation of airlines and airports, rating them on service quality, on-time performance, claim processing and food and shops – taking into account flight and after-flight services.
To create this ranking, AirHelp has used top data sources, including its database of flight statistics, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world, tens of thousands of customer opinions and its own experience in helping 10 million passengers around the world process compensation following flight disruption.
THE BEST AND WORST AIRLINES 2019
Best
1. Qatar Airways
2. American Airlines
3. Aeromexico
4. SAS Scandinavian Airlines
5. Qantas
6. LATAM Airlines
7. WestJet
8. Luxair
9. Austrian Airlines
10. Emirates
Worst airlines for 2019
63. Adria Airways
64. Aerolineas Argentinas
65. Transavia
66. Laudamotion
67. Norwegian
68. Ryanair
69. Korean Air
70. Kuwait Airways
71. EasyJet
72. Thomas Cook
It ranked 72 airlines and 132 airports from 40,000 reviews based on on-time performance and quality of service, as well as food and drink options and how easy it is to claim a refund.
BEST AND WORST AIRPORTS FOR 2019
Best
1. Hamad International Airport, Qatar
2. Tokyo International Airport, Japan
3. Athens International , Greece
4. Afonso Pena International Airport, Brazil
5. Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, Poland
6. Moscow Sheremetyevo International, Russia
7. Singapore Changi Airport,
8. Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International, India
9. Tenerife North Airport, Spain
10. Campinas International , Brazil
Worst airports
123. London Gatwick Airport, UK
124. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada
125. Porto Airport, Portugal
126. Paris Orly Airport, France
127. Manchester Airport, UK
128. Malta International Airport, Malta
129. Henri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest, Romania
130. Eindhoven Airport, Netherlands
131. Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait
132. Lisbon Portela Airport, Portugal
How the airlines and airports are rated
The 2019 AirHelp Score marks the company’s eighth report since it began evaluations in 2015. AirHelp developed this report to combine expert knowledge and industry expertise to give air passengers better predictions for what their experiences will look like at different airports, how the airlines will treat them under normal circumstances, and what to expect if their flight gets delayed, canceled or overbooked. To determine the airline rankings, AirHelp rates airlines equally on three areas, including claims processing, on-time performance, and quality of service. Airports’ scores are determined by on-time performance, which accounts for 60% of the score, and then quality of service, which is 20% of the score, and food and shopping options which makes up the remaining 20% of the score. To view AirHelp Score in full, please visit AirHelp.com/AirHelpScore.
Airport
Hamad International Airport Recognised as the “World’s Best Airport” for 2024
The World Airport Awards, which took place on April 17, 2024, in Frankfurt’s Passenger Terminal EXPO, have crowned Doha’s Hamad International Airport the World’s Best Airport 2024.
In addition, Hamad International Airport took home prizes for Best Airport in the Middle East and Best Airport Shopping in the World. Singapore Changi Airport, the 2023 Airport of the Year and 12-time winner, came in second in the world rankings and took home prizes for the Best Airport in Asia and the Best Airport Immigration Service Worldwide.
In 2023, Hamad International Airport saw an extraordinary increase in passenger volume, marking a noteworthy milestone. Serving more than 45 million travellers, the airport saw a startling 31% rise from the year before. The airport serves over 250 destinations with passenger, cargo, and chartered flights. It also welcomed new distinguished airline partners, such as Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Japan Airlines.
Hamad International Airport is looking forward to a busy 2024 as it enters its historic tenth year of existence. The airport wants to become even more of a leader in the aviation sector by investing in cutting-edge technologies and industry-first projects that will improve sustainability efforts.
A varied lifestyle destination itself is Hamad International Airport. The airport combines modern food and shopping options, leisure and entertainment venues, and a top-notch collection of artwork from globally known artists all within its single, spacious terminal. With the completion of the first phase of the airport expansion project, Hamad International Airport has improved its multi-dimensional offering and greatly boosted capacity.
Airport
From Dulles to Trump: Washington Airport Renaming Sparks Attention
House Republicans have recently introduced a bill in Congress that seeks to rename Washington Dulles International Airport, situated in Sterling, Virginia, near the nation’s capital, to “Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
The proposed renaming aims to honor former President Donald J. Trump, with supporters of the bill citing his leadership as a pinnacle of national greatness. They envision the new name as a symbol of freedom, prosperity, and strength, echoing sentiments shared by millions of domestic and international travelers who would pass through the airport.
Currently, Washington Dulles International Airport is named after the late Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, a dedication that dates back to 1984. Before that, it was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Despite the introduction of the bill, its prospects for passage appear dim due to the Democrat-controlled Senate and the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, along with six cosponsors, acknowledges the uphill battle, recognizing the challenges posed by the political landscape.
Notably, this proposal wouldn’t mark the first time an airport in the D.C. area has been named after a Republican president, with the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport already established in Arlington, Virginia.
While some Republicans champion the renaming initiative, there is considerable opposition, particularly among Democrats. Democratic Rep. Representing part of northern Virginia encompassing Dulles, strongly opposes the idea, pointing to legal issues surrounding Trump and suggesting alternative honors.
The bill, if passed, would mandate that all official references to the airport in laws, regulations, documents, and records be changed to Donald J. Trump International Airport. However, with the current political climate, the chances of the bill progressing through Congress and becoming law remain slim.
Airport
IndiGo Eyes Widebody Jets, Ramping Up Air India Competition
IndiGo, Asia’s largest budget carrier, is edging closer to a significant strategic move as it explores the purchase of widebody aircraft, according to Bloomberg.
This potential decision not only signifies the airline’s ambition to expand its international reach but also sets the stage for heightened competition with established players like Air India Ltd.
While IndiGo is still in the process of evaluating various options, insiders suggest that an order for approximately 30 Airbus SE A350s is emerging as the frontrunner. However, these sources, preferring anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, stress that the airline has yet to make a final announcement. They caution that factors such as timing and the final number of planes could still influence IndiGo’s decision.
indigo airlines booking contemplation of acquiring widebody jets is not a spontaneous move. The airline has long pondered the idea of venturing into long-haul services to cater to the increasing demand from affluent Indian travelers seeking destinations like the UK and Europe.
IndiGo’s already substantial relationship with Airbus, underscored by a monumental order for 500 A320neo family aircraft last year, further underscores its position as a major player in the aviation industry. With a backlog of around 1,000 aircraft, indigo manage booking
stands poised to make a strategic leap forward in its operational scope.
Recently, Under the terms of its extended codeshare arrangement with Qantas Airways, the national airline of Australia, IndiGo, the preferred carrier of India, has announced the addition of 11 new routes, effective March 31, 2024.
Customers of indigo flight can now travel across popular tourist destinations with ticket sales beginning on March 12, 2024. indigo flight booking Australia’s major cities, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne.