Worst Airlines in the World 2024: According to the 2024 AirHelp Score report, the worst airlines globally include Tunisair, ranked last with a score of 3.63, followed by Buzz and Nouvelair. India’s IndiGo also ranks poorly at 103rd out of 109, primarily due to low customer satisfaction and inadequate claim handling.
If you’ve ever experienced a delayed or cancelled flight, lost luggage, or poor customer service, you’re not alone.
The airline industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, and some carriers have struggled to keep up with the demands of modern air travel.
According to the AirHelp Global Score, Tunisair Airlines ranked as the worst-performing airline in 2024, with a score of 3.63 out of 10.
Following it closely were Buzz and Nouvelair Airlines, highlighting the need for improvement in customer service and overall performance within the industry.
In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 worst airlines in the world. These carriers have consistently received low scores for on-time performance, customer service, and overall customer satisfaction, making them the least desirable options for air travellers worldwide.
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List of Top 10 Worst Airlines in the World
According to AirHelp, here’s the list of the top 10 worst airlines in the world. These airlines rank at the bottom of the AirHelp Score due to poor on-time performance, low customer opinions, and inefficient claim processing.
Their overall ratings highlight the areas where they fall short in delivering satisfactory services to passengers. The list includes:
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| Rank | Airline | AirHelp Score | On-Time Performance | Customer Opinion | Claim Processing |
| 1 | Tunisair | 3.63 | 4.7 | 6.0 | 0.2 |
| 2 | Buzz | 4.45 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 0.1 |
| 3 | Nouvelair | 4.48 | 5.8 | 7.5 | 0.1 |
| 4 | Bulgaria Air | 4.59 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 0.4 |
| 5 | El Al Israel Airlines | 4.60 | 5.7 | 8.0 | 0.1 |
| 6 | Pegasus Airlines | 4.73 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 0.2 |
| 7 | IndiGo | 4.80 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 0.3 |
| 8 | TAROM | 4.82 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Air Mauritius | 4.84 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 0.2 |
| 10 | SKY express | 4.86 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 0.1 |
Source: AirHelp
Tunisair
- Tunisair, the national airline of Tunisia, ranks as the worst airline globally with an AirHelp Score of just 3.63.
- Established in 1948, it serves as a key player in connecting Tunisia with various destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The airline operates from its main hub at Tunis-Carthage International Airport.
- The airline has faced significant operational challenges, particularly regarding on-time performance, which sits at a disappointing 4.7. Passengers have reported frequent delays and cancellations, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.
- The airline’s customer opinion score is relatively better at 6.0, but this is overshadowed by its abysmal claim processing score of only 0.2, indicating severe inefficiencies in handling passenger complaints and compensation claims.
- Recent months have seen Tunisair embroiled in chaos, with a management shakeup following major disruptions that left many travellers stranded.
- Technical issues with aircraft have compounded these problems, prompting government intervention to stabilise operations.
- Despite efforts to lease additional aircraft and improve services, Tunisair struggles to regain passenger trust and provide reliable service, making it a cautionary tale in the aviation industry.
Buzz
- Buzz, a Polish airline and subsidiary of Ryanair Holdings ranks second among the worst airlines with an AirHelp Score of 4.45.
- It primarily serves low-cost routes within Europe, focusing on budget travel options for passengers. The airline is based in Poland and has been part of Ryanair’s expansion strategy to provide affordable air travel.
- While it has a slightly better on-time performance score of 6.2 compared to Tunisair, Buzz still faces criticism for operational inefficiencies that affect passenger experience.
- The customer opinion score stands at 7.1, suggesting some travellers find value in its low-cost offerings; however, this is not enough to offset its poor claim processing score of 0.1.
- The airline has been plagued by complaints regarding flight delays and inadequate customer service responses during disruptions.
- Passengers often express frustration over the lack of support when issues arise, leading to a negative perception of the airline overall.
- As Buzz continues to operate primarily as a budget carrier, it must address these service shortcomings to improve its standing among travellers and avoid further reputational damage.
Nouvelair
- Nouvelair ranks third among the worst airlines globally with an AirHelp Score of 4.48. It is another airline based in Tunisia.
- It operates both domestic and international flights, catering to travellers looking for affordable options to popular tourist destinations.
- Founded in the 1980s, this Tunisian airline struggles with on-time performance, scoring only 5.8, which contributes to frequent delays that frustrate passengers.
- Although its customer opinion score is relatively higher at 7.5, indicating some level of satisfaction with its service offerings, this is overshadowed by its extremely low claim processing score of just 0.1.
- Passengers have reported difficulties in obtaining timely assistance during disruptions or when filing claims for compensation due to delays or cancellations.
- This lack of effective communication and support has led to dissatisfaction among travellers who expect better service from an airline operating in a competitive market.
- To enhance its reputation and customer loyalty, Nouvelair needs to address these operational issues and improve its overall service quality.
Bulgaria Air
- Bulgaria Air is the flag carrier of Bulgaria. Founded in 2002, it operates flights from its hub at Sofia Airport to various destinations across Europe and beyond.
- It ranks fourth among the worst airlines in the world with an AirHelp Score of 4.59.
- The airline’s on-time performance is rated at 6.2, indicating a concerning level of flight delays that impact passenger travel plans negatively.
- While it has a customer opinion score of 7.2—suggesting some passengers appreciate its services—its claim processing score is alarmingly low at just 0.4.
- This poor claim processing capability has led to numerous complaints from travellers who find it challenging to receive compensation for disrupted flights or lost luggage.
- As Bulgaria Air aims to enhance its reputation within the competitive aviation market, addressing these operational inefficiencies and improving customer support will be crucial for regaining traveller confidence and satisfaction.
El Al Israel Airlines
- El Al Israel Airlines is the national airline of Israel. Established in 1948, it operates international flights from its hub at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
- El Al Israel Airlines holds the fifth position among the worst airlines globally with an AirHelp Score of 4.60.
- The airline’s on-time performance rating is particularly low at 5.7, resulting in frequent delays that frustrate passengers relying on timely travel for business or personal reasons.
- Despite a relatively higher customer opinion score of 8.0—indicating some satisfaction with onboard services—El Al struggles significantly with claim processing, scoring only 0.1.
- This inadequate handling of passenger claims reflects poorly on the airline’s commitment to customer service and support during disruptions or delays.
- Travellers have voiced concerns over their experiences when seeking assistance or compensation from El Al, emphasising the need for substantial improvements in operational efficiency and customer care practices.
Pegasus Airlines
- Pegasus Airlines is based in Turkey and operates as a low-cost carrier.
- Founded in 1990, it serves numerous domestic and international routes from its main base at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Istanbul, focusing on providing affordable travel options for passengers.
- Pegasus Airlines ranks sixth among the worst airlines with an AirHelp Score of 4.73.
- The Turkish low-cost carrier has an on-time performance rating of 6.7 but still faces challenges related to flight delays that impact passenger experiences negatively.
- Its customer opinion score stands at 7.3; however, this is undermined by a dismal claim processing score of just 0.2.
- Passengers frequently report difficulties in obtaining timely support during disruptions or navigating the claims process for delayed or cancelled flights.
- These issues contribute to a growing dissatisfaction among travellers who expect reliable service from budget carriers as well as adequate support when problems arise during their journeys.
IndiGo
- IndiGo is an Indian airline headquartered in India. Launched in 2006, it has quickly become one of the largest low-cost carriers in India, operating a vast domestic network while also expanding its international services.
- It ranks seventh among the worst airlines globally with an AirHelp Score of 4.80.
- This Indian airline has an on-time performance rating of 6.6 but has faced increasing scrutiny over frequent flight delays that disrupt travel plans for many passengers.
- While its customer opinion score is somewhat better at 7.5, indicating some level of satisfaction with services provided onboard, it suffers from a low claim processing score of only 0.3.
- Passengers often express frustration over their experiences when attempting to file claims for compensation due to delays or cancellations, highlighting significant gaps in customer service responsiveness and efficiency within IndiGo’s operations.
- To improve its standing among travellers and enhance overall satisfaction levels, IndiGo must address these operational challenges effectively.
TAROM
- TAROM is the national airline of Romania, established in 1954. Based in Bucharest, it operates both domestic and international flights, connecting Romania with key destinations across Europe and beyond.
- It ranks eighth among the worst airlines worldwide with an AirHelp Score of 4.82.
- The Romanian national carrier has an on-time performance rating of only 6.9, leading to frequent delays that affect passenger travel experiences adversely.
- Although TAROM maintains a customer opinion score of 7.6—suggesting some passengers appreciate aspects of their service—the airline’s claim processing score is alarmingly low at just 0.
- This lacklustre performance in handling claims indicates significant shortcomings in addressing passenger grievances during disruptions or cancellations effectively.
- Many travellers report difficulties receiving timely assistance or compensation when needed most urgently following travel interruptions caused by TAROM flights.
Air Mauritius
- Air Mauritius is the national airline of Mauritius, founded in 1967. It operates flights from its hub at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport to various destinations globally.
- Air Mauritius occupies ninth place among the worst airlines globally with an AirHelp Score of 4.84.
- This carrier faces significant challenges regarding operational efficiency and customer satisfaction levels overall, despite being the national airline serving Mauritius since its inception.
- With an on-time performance rating sitting at just above average (6), many passengers experience frustrating delays while travelling internationally via this carrier regularly.
- Despite having decent scores for both customer opinion (7) & claim processing (2), they still struggle significantly compared to competitors within similar markets, resulting in ongoing dissatisfaction amongst frequent flyers who expect better reliability.
SKY express
- SKY Express is a Greek airline based in Greece. Founded in 2005, it rounds out the bottom ten airlines with an AirHelp Score of 4.86.
- This Greek carrier operates primarily domestic routes connecting several islands throughout Greece while also offering limited international flights across Europe.
- However, their current standing reflects ongoing issues surrounding punctuality, as evidenced by their relatively low on-time performance rating (6).
- While they do maintain reasonable scores regarding both customer opinions (7) & claims processing (1), these figures indicate ongoing frustrations experienced by many travellers utilising this airline regularly.
- To improve its reputation within such competitive markets, SKY Express must prioritise enhancing overall service quality while addressing operational inefficiencies affecting flight schedules consistently.
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