Aviation
UK’s Best and Worst Airlines Revealed: See the Full List
Flying should be a smooth and enjoyable experience, but for many UK travelers, that hasn’t been the case—at least not according to the latest survey from consumer watchdog Which?.
In a revealing annual study, British Airways (BA) was named the worst UK airline for long-haul flights, while Ryanair and Wizz Air found themselves at the bottom of the short-haul rankings. With over 9,000 flights reviewed, the results highlight just how frustrating some airline experiences can be.
British Airways Falls from Grace
Once considered a premier choice for long-haul travel, British Airways now finds itself in the undesirable position of being ranked the worst UK airline for long-haul routes. BA shared this bottom spot with Air Canada, both earning a meager customer score of 62%.
The airline received poor ratings across crucial categories, including value for money, seat comfort, and cabin environment. One of the biggest complaints against BA was its high rate of last-minute cancellations, with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data showing that 2% of its flights were scrapped within 24 hours of departure.
Short-Haul Struggles: Ryanair and Wizz Air Disappoint
When it comes to short-haul flights, budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air landed at the very bottom. Ryanair received the lowest customer score at just 49%, while Wizz Air wasn’t far behind with 51%.
Passengers criticized both airlines for their lack of comfort, hidden fees, and poor customer service. Meanwhile, British Airways didn’t fare much better in the short-haul rankings, placing 12th out of 16 airlines with a disappointing 57% score.
Who Came Out on Top?
Not all airlines left passengers fuming. In the short-haul category, Jet2 emerged as the clear winner, boasting an impressive 80% customer satisfaction rating. It was followed by Logan Air (72%), SAS (71%), and Norwegian (69%). These airlines were praised for their customer service, reliability, and overall passenger experience.
For long-haul flights, Singapore Airlines took the crown with an outstanding 81% score, closely followed by Etihad Airways (78%) and Emirates (77%). These carriers excelled in comfort, service quality, and overall value for money.
Best and Worst Airlines
| Short-Haul Airlines | Rating (%) |
|---|---|
| Jet2 | 80 |
| Logan Air | 72 |
| SAS | 71 |
| British Airways | 57 |
| Wizz Air | 51 |
| Ryanair | 49 |
| Long-Haul Airlines | Rating (%) |
| Singapore Airlines | 81 |
| Etihad Airways | 78 |
| Emirates | 77 |
| Malaysia Airlines | 64 |
| Air Canada | 62 |
| British Airways | 62 |
