AirAsia Group was named 'World’s Best Low Cost Airlines' by AirlineRatings.com. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
AIRASIA has been named the world's best low-cost airline by Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency, AirlineRatings.com.
In the agency's annual Airline Excellence Awards, AirAsia Group – encompassing AirAsia, AirAsia X and Thai AirAsia X – was named the "World's Best Low-Cost Airline For 2025", beating, among others, Australia's Jetstar, European favourite Ryanair, and Singapore's Scoot.
Other major categories in the awards include "World's Best Airlines" and "World's Best Hybrid Airlines", of which 20 companies were named in each category.
Korean Air was named the world's best airline overall, beating the usual suspects (Qatar is at #2, while Singapore Airlines is at #5). The "World's Best Ultra Low Carrier" was snagged by Vietnam's VietJet, followed closely by the Philippines' Cebu Pacific.
The "World’s Best Cabin Crew" went to Virgin Australia, while Singapore's Changi Airport was named "World's Best Airport".
To compile the lists, AirlineRatings.com assesses carriers using 12 criteria that include safety and product rating, fleet age, profitability, serious incidents, innovation and forward fleet orders, as well as passenger reviews from multiple sources. The agency was formed by a team of aviation editors, who, according to its website "have forensically researched nearly every airline in the world".
Meanwhile, AirAsia X chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said of the company's "win" in a press statement: “This is a significant acknowledgement of the incredible efforts made by the team at AirAsia X as we have been laser-focused on delivering the very best value and service for medium haul air travel spanning Australia, Asia and beyond."
Top 10 airlines
1. Korean Air
2. Qatar
3. Air New Zealand
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Emirates
7. Japan Airlines
8. Qantas
9. Etihad
10. Turkish Airlines
Top 10 low-cost airlines
1. AirAsia
2. Jetstar
3. AirBaltic
4. HK Express
5. Easyjet
6. FlyDubai
7. Ryanair
8. Scoot
9. Breeze
10. Southwest
25. Garuda Indonesia
