As travel rebounds globally, passengers are increasingly vocal about their experiences-and some airlines are receiving more criticism than others. A new report identifies the airlines most frequently associated with travel disruptions,ranking carriers based on a thorough “dissatisfaction index” that includes factors from complaints to safety records. The analysis, drawing on feedback from over 84 countries, reveals that budget fares and brand reputation don’t always guarantee a smooth journey, and a Hungarian airline has landed on the list of the world’s ten least-favored carriers.
Delays, flight cancellations, and lost luggage remain a nightmare scenario for travelers. A new report identifies which airlines are most prone to these issues.
Based on passenger feedback, a ranking of the world’s least-favored airlines has been compiled by VICE, with a Hungarian carrier landing in the ninth position on the list of ten. The ranking details the reasons behind the negative experiences reported by passengers.
Low Fares and Prestige Aren’t Everything
The analysis compared data from over twenty major airlines, drawing on evaluations from travelers in 84 countries. The research considered not only satisfaction scores but also an “dissatisfaction index,” which takes into account
- the number of complaints,
- service deficiencies,
- baggage handling problems,
- delays,
- flight cancellations,
- and significant safety or operational incidents.
Topping the dissatisfaction ranking is American Airlines, with a passenger rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a dissatisfaction score of 56, alongside 11 major incidents. Second place went to Frontier Airlines, also based in the U.S., receiving a 2.0 rating and reporting over tens of millions of dissatisfied passengers annually, as well as five significant operational issues. United Airlines came in third, earning a 3.3 score but landing among the worst due to a high volume of customer service complaints. Air France secured the fourth position, plagued by 11 significant incidents, poor baggage handling, and low passenger satisfaction.
The fifth spot is held by Ryanair, which, despite offering low fares, received a score of 2.8 and
many passengers believe its cost-cutting service model involves significant compromises.
AirAsia ranks sixth, carrying tens of millions of passengers but maintaining a satisfaction score of just over 2.8. Aeromexico is seventh, entering the list of the worst airlines with six major incidents and a 3.0 rating. The eighth position is occupied by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), where, despite Scandinavian precision, a large number of complaints and low scores accumulated.
The ninth position is held by Hungarian carrier Wizz Air:
while transporting approximately 63 million passengers annually, it received a rating around 3.0, primarily due to frequent delays and customer service issues.
Rounding out the list at tenth is British Airways, which, despite its high prestige, leads in lost baggage and has recorded more than ten major operational failures.
The survey revealed that passengers are not simply swayed by low ticket prices, and higher prestige does not guarantee a trouble-free travel experience. The most common complaints remain consistent across airlines: delays, cancellations, baggage damage, and poor customer service. Travelers should therefore consider a carrier’s past incidents and passenger reviews in addition to ticket prices when making bookings.
