Aer Lingus is the worst airline in Europe according to the report drawn up by the Flightright platform: the Irish flag carrier closes the ranking with 1.79 points out of 5 ahead of Air Europa (1.93) and the Spanish Vueling (2.06). Three carriers united by the extreme delay in the reimbursement phase. The survey sifted through the twenty largest companies on the continent, evaluating them on three distinct parameters, namely reliability (i.e. delays and cancellations), speed in paying compensation and passenger satisfaction collected through a survey. Each category receives a rating from 1 to 5 stars, where the lowest score is 1 and the best 5. The average of the various elements gives the overall report card.
Passed and failed
At the top of the ranking of those promoted sits Austrian Airlines, with 3.04, the only one in the group to exceed the three-point threshold. It is followed by Eurowings (2.81) and Air Baltic (2.76), both rewarded above all in terms of punctuality, where they receive 3 and 3.5 stars. Further behind, in the central band, are the major continental transport companies: British Airways (2.64), Finnair (2.70), Iberia (2.60). Lufthansa stops at 2.33, weighed down by modest reliability (1.5 stars) which the strikes of recent months have not helped, however kept afloat by assistance deemed solid.
Everything changes regarding refunds: Air France in the lead, low cost in the rear
The data that overturns the hierarchies concerns reimbursements. Based solely on the speed with which companies pay what they owe, the map changes face. Air France leads the pack of the fastest with 3.5 stars, followed closely by Lufthansa, SAS, Brussels Airlines, Finnair and Eurowings, all at 3. It is a sign that a carrier can accumulate operational inconveniences and yet remain credible, if it then settles the bill without making the passenger suffer.
On the opposite side the sore points are concentrated. As mentioned at the beginning, Aer Lingus, Air Europa and Vueling collect the minimum vote (only one star) with regards to reimbursement methods, occupying the bottom of the ranking, the same as they occupy in the general ranking. The real surprise comes from the queens of low cost, given that Ryanair and Wizz Air, despite holding up decently against delays (3 stars each), stop at 1.5 when it comes to economic compensation. In short, they fly on time, only to then turn the compensation request into an obstacle course.
How much the passenger is entitled to: the figures of the EU Regulation
It is worth remembering what the passenger is entitled to. European Regulation 261/2004, a pillar still in force, sets the figures: 250 euros for routes up to 1,500 kilometres, 400 euros between 1,500 and 3,500, up to 600 euros for intercontinental flights over 3,500. Sums that are due in the event of cancellation or prolonged delay, and which too often remain on paper.
What changes from 2027
The picture is destined to change. Brussels has developed a reform of protections whose entry into force is expected in 2027: among the new features, the stop to the no-show rule (no more automatic cancellation of the return flight if the outward flight is missed) and the obligation for companies to contact travelers within a few days of a disruption, explaining in black and white how to obtain the money.
The complete ranking
Here is the general ranking, from best to worst:
- Austrian — 3.04
- Eurowings — 2.81
- Air Baltic — 2.76
- Finnair — 2.70
- British Airways — 2.64
- Norwegian Air Shuttle — 2.63
- Iberia — 2.60
- Swiss — 2.54
- Air France — 2.47
- Brussels Airlines — 2.46
- Pegasus — 2.36
- SAS — 2.35
- Lufthansa — 2.33
- easyJet — 2.27
- Wizz Air — 2.23
- Ryanair — 2.19
- KLM — 2.13
- Vueling — 2.06
- Air Europa — 1.93
- Aer Lingus — 1.79
