
The world's best (and worst) airports revealed in new ranking
But when an airport experience goes sour, whether because of flight delays, unexpected security checks or missing luggage, it is by far one of the most insufferable experiences of mankind (not to be dramatic).
In effort to help passengers avoid the latter, AirHelp, a Germany-based online service that allows passengers to seek compensation for flight cancellations, delays, or overbookings, has released its list of best and worst airports across the globe. The list was crafted by studying and surveying clients' airport experiences, with key factors being on-time flight performance, customer service and available food and retail stores.
The survey spanned airport visits from June 1 2024 to May 31 2025, and incorporates feedback from 13,500 travellers across 58 countries. So, which airports are flying high?
The only European city to make the list is Bergen Flesland Airport in Norway, ranking in ninth place with an AirHelp score of 8.27. Its on-time performance ranked at 8.4, customer opinion at 8.5 and food and retail offering at 7.6.
Doha Hamad Airport in Qatar came in second place with an average score of 8.52, a customer opinion score of 8.9, and a food and retail score of 9.
Championing in first place is Cape Town Airport with an average AirHelp score of 8.57. With a little under 11 million visitors this year, this South African airport received 8.6 for on-time performance, 8.7 for customer service and 8.3 for its food and shopping offerings. Cape Town took first place on Time Out's annual ranking of the best cities in the world to visit in 2025, proving that a visit to the capital is rewarding as soon as you step out of the airport gate.
As for airports to avoid, Tunis Carthage Airport in Tunisia ranked the worst with a score of 5.73. On-time performance score is a weak 5.4, but customer opinions added minimal hope with an extra point at 6.4. As for food and shops, AirHelp gave it a 6.1. Rhodes Diagoras Airport came in second worst with an average score of 6.05, followed by Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh Airport at 6.21.
Will this list affect where you'll book your next holiday? Check out the rest of the best and worst-ranked airports below.
The world's best airports in 2025
1. Cape Town Airport, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Doha Hamad Airport, Doha, Qatar
3. Riyadh King Khaled Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
4. Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek Airport, Brasilia, Brazil
5. Muscat Airport, Muscat, Oman
6. Panama City Tocumen Airport, Panama City, Panama
7. Durban King Shaka Airport, Durban, South Africa
8. Salt Lake City Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, US
9. Bergen Flesland Airport, Bergen, Norway
10. Dammam King Fahd Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
The world's worst airports in 2025
1. Tunis Carthage Airport, Tunis, Tunisia
2. Rhodes Diagoras Airport, Rhodes, Greece
3. Ho Chi Minh Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
4. Heraklion Airport, Heraklion, Greece
5. Hurghada Airport, Hurghada, Egypt
6. Antalya Airport, Antalya, Turkey
7. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal
8. Dalaman Airport, Dalaman, Turkey
9. Hanoi Nội Bài Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam
10. Sharm el-Sheikh Airport, Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt
Did you see the Greek island crowned the world's best in 2025?

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


North Wales Live
18 minutes ago
- North Wales Live
Popular holiday spot's tourism fears as Brits shun island amid local protests
There is growing concern in Majorca over a reported drop in tourist arrivals. It appears that not only are German visitors giving the island a miss, but British holidaymakers also seem to be losing interest. The Balearic island is a popular choice among European tourists. Last year alone, an impressive 13.4 million visitors descended on Majorca, including over two million Brits. The island's breathtaking landscapes - from golden beaches to majestic mountains - and lively nightlife are major draws. However, a series of protests have recently shaken this idyllic destination, with tens of thousands of locals taking to the streets to voice their discontent over overtourism. Tourists are increasingly finding themselves targeted by activists intent on generating negative publicity for the island to deter visitors. This rising hostility towards tourists seems to be having an impact, with visitor numbers falling in certain areas of the island. The resort areas most affected are Capdepera and Soller, according to the Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), as reported by the Express. The worrying situation appears to be particularly problematic in the British market, which is showing signs of slow growth, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. "While we don't have official statistics yet, information from our various associations indicates that Capdepera, which heavily relies on German tourism, and Soller are experiencing the most significant drops in visitor numbers," said María José Aguiló - the vice-president of FEHM. Pubs, cafés and eateries have all felt the impact of this peculiar mid-season slump, with outdoor seating areas sitting half-vacant. Some proprietors have reportedly even permitted employees to take time off during what would typically be amongst the peak trading weeks of the year. "We're seeing two distinct booking patterns emerge: advance reservations and last-minute bookings, making precise forecasting particularly challenging," explained Aguiló. FEHM's figures show that hotel occupancy levels have fallen short of projections since May, sparking concerns about what lies ahead. Nevertheless, the organisation maintains an optimistic outlook, stating it anticipates this season will match last year's performance. During the previous year, 18.7 million holidaymakers flocked to the Balearics, splashing out a staggering €22.38 billion - representing a 12% rise. German visitors continue to be the most valuable economic demographic across the Balearic Islands. They parted with €6 billion whilst holidaying in Majorca - outspending every other nation. British travellers came second, contributing €4.38 billion.


Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Foreign Office's summer 2025 rules for Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal
People should be aware of the latest developments before they jet off on a summer getaway With the school holidays now in full swing for most families, people will be looking forward to some summer sunshine to break up the time spent at home in the UK. But with the unpredictable British weather, the best solution for some guaranteed sunshine is often to head abroad. Some popular European destinations—such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal — are often packed with holidaymakers in the next few weeks. Most of these countries are a few hours away from the UK by plane, making it manageable for those travelling with little ones. But, it's worth getting up to date with the latest rules and regulations before setting off to a new country. The UK Foreign Office provides most of the information you need, covering updates on every country worldwide. We've picked out some of the more popular destinations to help people be fully aware of any risks or new rules they might not have had to deal with on their last holiday. For example, the latest updates suggest people travelling to Portugal will be affected by strikes. The website reads: "Industrial action by baggage handlers at Portuguese airports from Friday to Monday during July and August may cause delays." This advice was correct at the time of writing (July 25, 2025). However, these are always subject to change, so the best place to check for new updates would be directly with the Foreign Office on the website, selecting the relevant country. This guide offers general advice on some of the significant things travellers need to know in advance, with more details available online. Passport requirements: For all of the above destinations, passport rules are essentially the same. Before you are allowed to jet off, your passport must be: issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the 'date of issue'). valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the 'expiry date'). Check that your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before October 1, 2018, then extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This advice reflects the UK government's understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full 'British Citizen' passport from the UK for the most common types of travel. The authorities in the country you are visiting set and enforce entry rules. If you're unsure how these requirements apply to you, contact the local embassy or consulate in the UK. Check with your travel provider to ensure that your passport and other travel documents meet the requirements. If necessary, renew your passport. Do I need a visa? You can typically travel without a visa from the UK to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Greece. These countries are part of the Schengen area of the EU, which grants travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. The area covers 29 European countries and 4 non-European countries, all listed on the website. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is not currently operating but is expected to start in October 2025. This new digital border system will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area. The European Union will provide more updates about the specific start date before its launch. Vaccination requirements and medical care: Travellers should be updated with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. Under the International Health Regulations, there are no certificate requirements. This applies to all of the countries mentioned in this article. All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance. If visiting European Union (EU) countries, carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as this will allow access to state-provided healthcare in some countries at a reduced cost.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists visiting Greek islands need to pay £17 fee until September 30
Holidaymakers disembarking from ships at Mykonos and Santorini are required to pay €20 each, which is approximately £17.35 Holiday-makers jetting off to a Greek island this summer could face an unwelcome surprise charge. Greece 's fresh 'sustainable tourism fee' has been rolled out by the government to cruise passengers from July 21. In a bid to curb overtourism during peak time, from June 1 to September 30, tourists stepping off ships at Mykonos and Santorini must cough up €20 each - that's £17.35. The levy drops in October and during the shoulder season between April 1 and May 31 to €12 (£10.41). From November 1 to March 31, the cost falls further to €4. Additional charges hit other Greek island ports, with travellers stung for €5 (£4.34) throughout the summer months. During winter, cruise tourists face a €1 (87p) fee, rising to €3 (£2.60) in early spring. Cruise operators must declare and settle the charge every three months. The fresh levies aim to combat overcrowding triggered by tourism. The charge applies per passenger and hits each port where they disembark. Yet, the tax has sparked fury from Mykonos port authorities. Athanasios Kousathanas-Megas, president of the Mykonos Port Fund, branded the tax a 'curse' for the island's economy. Speaking to the Greek Reporter, he said: "I believe that the price difference will create problems in choosing a cruise ship from 2026." What happens if payments aren't made? Cruise companies or agents are responsible for covering the fee, which will be reported through a specific digital platform. Subsequently, they will settle the fees they have accumulated from passenger disembarkations quarterly. If the cruise company fails to make the payment, the port authorities have the right to deny the cruise ship's future visits to the Greek islands and to disembark tourists. Why has the Greek island cruise ship fee been put in place? The fee is part of a broader effort to manage overtourism and generate revenue for infrastructure improvements and environmental initiatives. The tax revenue is meant to support tourism management, finance infrastructure initiatives such as a second port in Santorini, and tackle environmental challenges like wildfires and floods. How many people visit Greece each year? More than 30 million tourists travel to Greece each year. According to Road Genius, Greece welcomed 32.7 million international arrivals in 2023 and continued to increase in 2024 to 35.9 million international visitors, a 14.7 % increase over 2019 and a 9.8% increase over 2023. Santorini reportedly attracts approximately two million visitors annually, while Mykonos is said to attract around 1.5 million tourists every year. In a recent Statista report, Greece was placed sixth on the list of favorite European destinations for upcoming trips among travelers from Europe in 2024. When examining the international tourist arrivals in the country, Germany and the United Kingdom topped the list of inbound travel markets in Greece that year, with Italy and France following closely behind. On July 23, 2024, a social media post by a Santorini city councillor announcing the arrival of 17,000 cruise passengers and advising residents to limit their movements reportedly caused fury. According to media outlets, the post was swiftly taken down, but the idea that locals should curtail their activities because of tourists was met with significant backlash.