In this article, we will discuss the 20 most popular airlines in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of why passengers opt for certain airlines and know which airlines came at the top, you can take a look at the 5 most popular airlines in the world.
Although passengers place significant importance on the price of tickets when deciding which airline to choose, the NATS Aviation Index 2019 shows that the importance of on-board facilities is increasingly growing. Besides this factor, the reputation of the airline is also essential, as 71% of the people said they would never fly with an airline that has a bad reputation.
Based on IATA’s 2022 Global Passenger Survey, convenience was the top priority of passengers traveling in post-COVID times. Most of the passengers included in the survey wanted their planning and booking information in one single place. It’s one of the reasons why airline CIOs are prioritizing increased spending on digitalization and sustainability by 2024 — according to SITA’s 2021 Air Transport IT Insights.
Airline companies are also looking to invest in technology that reduces flight times. In 2022, American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) agreed to buy supersonic planes from Boom. These planes will travel as fast as Mach 1.7, which will significantly reduce flight time. For instance, a 10-hour flight will only take 6 hours on these planes. Previously, United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) also committed to buying 15 supersonic planes.
We also found that these airline companies are among the 12 best airline stocks to buy — along with Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY), Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK), JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) and Spirit Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAVE).
During the pandemic, many countries imposed strict travel restrictions to curb the spread of infections. It caused a significant decline in passengers opting for air travel. Even when the restrictions were lifted, the passengers must carry vaccination certificates.
A significant number of airline staff was also laid off at that time. Bloomberg reported that about 400,000 airline industry workers lost their jobs during the coronavirus. To help U.S. airlines survive, the government provided a $54 billion lifeline. The airlines that got the bailout included Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) and others.
As a lot of people have started choosing air travel again, airline companies might find it challenging to cater to the demand. If you want your travel plans to not be affected, it's important to reach the airport early and consider flying from a smaller airport. In the case of international travel, you should check the health insurance requirements of the country you’re traveling to and arrange it beforehand.
20 Most Popular Airlines in the World
Methodology
For our list of the most popular airlines worldwide, we analyzed Cirium’s Airline Passenger Rankings for 2021. These rankings are based on the yearly system-wide traffic returns for over 600 airline operations tracked in the company’s database. Then, we listed the 20 most popular airlines in the world in ascending order of high passenger traffic.
Alaska Airlines has a solid reputation for dependability, safety, and top-notch customer service, making it one of the major airlines in North America. They provide a comfortable and entertaining flying experience while connecting passengers to scenic areas through their broad route network.
A well-known airline in Brazil, Azul Brazilian Airlines, is renowned for its commitment to punctuality and customer satisfaction. Azul assures that travelers enjoy pleasant flights with cutting-edge amenities while they explore various diverse and exciting destinations around the world. Azul S.A. (NYSE:AZUL) Q1 2023 revenue was $913 million.
18. Lufthansa
Annual Passenger Traffic: 23.5 million
Lufthansa is praised for its excellent customer service and dependability. It links travelers to a variety of stunning locations across the world. The airline's fleet consists of 710 aircraft, with the average age of each aircraft being 13.1 years.
17. Shenzhen Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: 24.3 million
Shenzhen Airlines commenced its operations 29 years ago. The airline’s main office is located in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It has a fleet of over 197 aircraft and flies to several locations worldwide, mainly within China but also to neighboring Asian nations, and has good connectivity throughout the region.
16. Volaris
Annual Passenger Traffic: 24.4 million
Volaris Airlines' headquarter is in Mexico City. With a fleet of about 123 aircraft, it offers inexpensive and practical travel options to a variety of interesting places in Mexico and throughout the Americas, including the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.
15. Xiamen Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: 26.1 million
Xiamen Airlines is one of the many Chinese airlines that are pretty popular among global travelers. Although it’s based in Xiamen, China, the airline has branches in several cities, including Beijing, Hunan, and Tianjin. The airline currently operates on around 350 routes and has 206 aircraft in its fleet.
14. Wizz Air
Annual Passenger Traffic: 27.1 million
Founded in 2003, Wizz Air’s headquarters are in Budapest, Hungary. About 194 locations in Europe and the Middle East are serviced by the airline. As one of the top low-cost carriers in Europe, it provides travelers with a variety of accessible and economical travel options.
The corporate offices of the airline are located in Long Island City, New York. JetBlue flies to about 593 destinations, mostly in the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America, with a fleet of about 285 aircraft. JetBlue provides passengers with a pleasant and joyful flying experience and is well-known for its luxurious cabins and warm customer service.
The corporate headquarters of the airline is located in Miramar, Florida. It operates a fleet of about 198 aircraft and flies to about 83 locations throughout the Americas. Spirit Airlines, Inc. (NYSE:SAVE) had a net loss of $103.9 million in its Q1 2023 earnings report.
It’s a well-known low-cost airline that provides economical travel options to a variety of exciting locations for travelers on a tight budget.
The airline's main office is in St. George, Utah, in the United States. SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier that manages a fleet of approximately 500 aircraft, offers flying services on behalf of international airlines like Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL), American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL), and Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK). It improves accessibility for air travel by connecting travelers to various locations around North America.
10. Air China
Annual Passenger Traffic: 44 million
The company's main office is in Beijing, China. The airline serves several destinations with a fleet of about 484 aircraft, which includes significant cities in Asia, Europe, and North America. As China's flag carrier, it is crucial to connect the nation to the rest of the globe by offering a fusion of traditional Chinese hospitality with cutting-edge air travel.
9. Turkish Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: 44.8 million
Turkish Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the world. It is a significant player in the aviation sector, with its headquarters in the dynamic city of Istanbul. With a fleet of about 334 airplanes, it connects continents and cultures by flying to 262 international destinations.
8. IndiGo
Annual Passenger Traffic: 48.4 million
The headquarters of IndiGo, the biggest and most successful low-cost carrier in India, is located in Gurgaon, Haryana. IndiGo offers service to many domestic and international destinations with a large fleet of over 310 aircraft. Millions of people can travel by air thanks to the airline's reliability, effectiveness, and cost.
Its new, fuel-efficient aircraft guarantees a comfortable flight, and the welcoming staff and customer-focused attitude improve the overall travel experience. IndiGo, a pioneer in the Indian aviation sector, keeps growing its network and holding onto its position as a top alternative for travelers looking for a dependable and affordable flying option.
7. China Eastern Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: 64.5 million
China Eastern Airlines is one of the major airlines of China, along with Air China and China Southern Airlines. The primary hubs of this airline are the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It operates a sizable fleet of over 619 aircraft and serves a vast network of around 156 domestic and international destinations.
6. China Southern Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: 68.6 million
One of Asia's biggest and most famous airlines, China Southern Airlines, is headquartered in Guangzhou, China. The airline has a diverse fleet of almost 850 aircraft.
China Southern provides convenient connections and seamless travel as a part of the SkyTeam alliance. The airline, renowned for its vast route network, cutting-edge aircraft, and first-rate customer service, is essential in facilitating travel to and from China, promoting cultural exchanges, and strengthening relations between the East and the rest of the world.
