Over the past year, we have heard many complaints about airlines, and have constantly criticized major carriers for their poor performance, service or hard product. Well, Skytrax releases every year a list of the best and worst airlines in the world. The Telegraph from the UK listed down all the carriers with a 2-star rating (the maximum is 5 stars). These airlines are some of the worst in the world. Many of these carriers are minor carriers and do not operate an extensive route network. Here are the first 10 of 20 worst airlines, in alphabetical order with an image to accompany them all. Part 2 can be found here.
Bahamasair
Based: Nassau
Founded: 1973
Fleet: 8
Destinations: 32
Flag carrier of the Bahamas, the airline of Paradise Island seems to be the opposite of paradise in the air.
Biman Bangladesh
Based: Dhaka
Founded: 1972
Fleet: 12
Destinations: 18
The airline of Bangladesh has started to modernize its fleet recently. With the retirement of the last passenger DC-10 and introduction of the 777-300, the airline is playing catch up against other large carriers of the region.
Bulgaria Air
Based: Sofia
Founded: 2002
Fleet: 10
Destinations: 26
The largest airline in Bulgaria, Bulgaria Air operates a fleet of short to medium range airliners to places within the region, Africa, Russia, and Western Europe.
China United Airlines
Based: Beijing
Founded: 1986
Fleet: 36
Destinations: 20
One of China’s budget airlines, China United is the only airline from that country that made this list. The airline operates out of Beijing Capital Airport.
Cubana de Aviación
Based: Havana
Founded: 1930
Fleet: 20
Destinations: 20
The largest airline in Cuba and their flag carrier, Cubana is an interesting airline. They are the last common operator of the Il-96, and fly a handful of Russian aircraft.
Iran Air
Based: Tehran
Founded: 1944
Fleet: 26
Destinations: 58
The national airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran Air has been flying old aircraft due to the sanctions imposed by the US and Western countries. The lifting of sanctions has allowed them to place an order of new aircraft and modernize their fleet. The newest A321 was delivered late last year.
Lion Air
Based: Jakarta
Founded: 1999
Fleet: 111
Destinations: 126
Indonesia’s largest low cost carrier, Lion Air flies throughout the SE Asian region. They also have a couple of 747s that they use mainly for the Hajj flights. The airline has subsidiaries around the regions as well, for example Thai Lion Air.
Mahan Air
Based: Tehran
Founded: 1992
Fleet: 56
Destinations: 61
Mahan Air is one of Iran’s largest airlines. It operates within Iran, and to destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. It has been sanctioned by the US various times for aiding their enemies and terrorist groups. As a curious note, the airline flies former Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa A340s.
Nepal Airlines
Based: Kathmandu
Founded: 1958
Fleet: 9
Destinations: 33
The small flag carrier of Nepal is a two star airline. Nepal Airlines has been long plagued by the economic situation in Nepal. The 2015 earthquake made the economic situation worse. The airline is trying to grow by adding narrow-body aircraft and one wide-body aircraft to their fleet.
Onur Air
Based: Istanbul
Founded: 1992
Fleet: 24
Destinations: 124
Onur Air is one of the two Turkish low cost carriers on this list. They are a leisure-LCC based in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. They have a few widebody aircraft that are mostly leased to Saudia.
Do you agree with the rankings? Have you ever flown on any of these airlines? What was your experience? Let us know!
All photos from Wikimedia commons, unless otherwise noted.
