AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).
Related:AirHelp: The Website That Can Get you Money for Flight Delays
AirHelp’s Worldwide Airport Ranking for 2018 named some surprising stand-outs for the world’s best and worst airports. It turns out the most glamorous airports aren’t always the most consumer-friendly ones. AirHelp determined the best airports by scoring them with consideration to on-time performance, quality of customer service, and (to a lesser-degree) passenger sentiment on Twitter, where unsatisfied passengers often take their ignored air-travel complaints public.
Here are the world’s best airports according to the passenger-rights experts at AirHelp.
The Best Airports in the World, According to AirHelp Hamad International Airport (Qatar) Athens International Airport (Greece) Tokyo Haneda International Airport (Japan) Cologne Bonn Airport (Germany) Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore) Nagoya Chubu Centrair Airport (Japan) Viracopos International Airport (Brazil) Amman Queen Alia Airport (Jordan) Recife/Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre Airport (Brazil) Quito International Airport (Ecuador)
Lower on the list this year are some of the world’s often best-ranked airports for amenities and technology, like Munich, Zurich, and Hong Kong International, suggesting that airport glitz and glam doesn’t quite mean you’ll get the best on-time flights or customer service. The worst airport in AirHelp’s ranking is Kuwait International Airport, preceded by London Stansted, Lyon, Paris Orly, Stockholm, Manchester (U.K.), Boryspil (Ukraine), Edinburgh, Bordeaux Merignac, and Eindhoven (Netherlands).
Related:The 10 Worst Airports for Summer Travel, Ranked
AirHelp also ranked the best airlines in the world for timeliness and customer service, with less-surprising results, asserting that “airlines who focus on passengers come out on top.”
The Best Airlines in the World, According to AirHelp Qatar Airways Lufthansa Etihad Airways Singapore Airlines South African Airways Austrian Airlines Aegean Airlines Qantas Air Malta Virgin Atlantic
The worst airline in AirHelp’s rankings is low-cost carrier WOW Air, preceded by Royal Jordanian, Pakistan International, easyJet, Air Mauritius, Ryanair, Korean Air, Iberia, Aerolineas Argentinas, and Jet Airways. No U.S. airlines ranked in the top 20, perhaps
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Chances are if you frequent airport lounges, you’re a Priority Pass member. Membership can be purchased outright or included as a complimentary benefit under specific credit cards and provides access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide, across 148 countries in over 600 cities. With Priority Pass membership, travelers can enter lounges in the portfolio on their flight date, regardless of airline or class flown, often with two guests.
Traditional food has a stronghold on Athens’ dining scene, and Greece as a whole. Widespread respect for classic dishes means that family recipes are often untampered with, even at restaurants, but contemporary newcomers have also found their voice in the sea of tradition.
On Monday 14 August, when the tide is right, an antique sailing ship will manoeuvre through the lock of Plymouth’s historic Sutton harbour and point herself south-west towards the Canary Islands. It will be the start of a two-year voyage around the world taking in 32 ports and involving thousands of people in a groundbreaking geographical project, Darwin200, which aims, among other things, to inspire the environmental leaders and scientists of the future.
When you travel, where you stay is only one piece of the puzzle. Equally as important are the experiences you have abroad: the things you see, the food you eat, the people you meet. And as of late, there is more interest than ever in travel experiences: cooking classes, snorkeling, ghost tours, wine tastings, trolley rides, all of it.
Royal Caribbean already operates the world’s largest cruise ship—Wonder of the Seas—but next January it will break that record with Icon of the Seas, which boasts 2,805 staterooms (including more than 1,800 with balconies) and 179 suites. Nearly 1,200 feet long, Icon of the Seas has 20 decks and features a 55-foot-waterfall, multiple pools and waterparks and a “chill island” and a “thrill island”—depending on a passenger’s vibe.
Ever dreamed of packing up everything and moving to another country? Here are the most livable cities in the world, according to a study by The Economist.
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
Getting old has few benefits, but the occasional senior travel discount is one of them. Senior travelers can enjoy a wide range of discounts, but both availability and value vary substantially among different travel sectors and in different parts of the globe.
Wondering what the best airlines are according to the average flyer? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) gives a good idea in its Travelers’ Choice best airline rankings each year based on real travelers’ reviews. And the results are different than most trade studies that list the “best airlines.”
With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
Auckland, New Zealand, is a great place to visit for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. The city offers something for everyone, whether it’s the stunning beaches, lush rainforest, or picturesque harbor. There are unique museums around the city that offer insight into the history and culture of this amazing country. With lively nightlife in Ponsonby and a range of activities to enjoy in the city, Auckland is sure to have something for everyone. These Auckland Airbnbs put you close to the best of the city.