Top 10 Busiest Airlines in the World

The aviation industry has been quite a contributor to the world economy and tourism. Being considered a safer and more efficient means of transport, travelling by air is the most desired among the masses. Besides, air travel has made it possible to cover vast distances in a short time. Thus, enabling quick and effective movement, be it of people or goods.

With tons of passengers opting for air travel every year, around 700+ airlines operating all over the world have increased their activity to enormous extents, keeping the skies bustling with heavy traffic. Now, out of all, there will be some airlines that dominate the market, while some would have great carrying capacity. That being said, here you will be getting a deeper insight as to who the top 10 Busiest Airlines in the World are and but of course, why. Take a look!

Comprehensive Guide to the Top 10 Busiest Airlines in the World

Listed below are the world-renowned Busiest Airlines being critically evaluated on parameters such as the average daily flight intake, best-in-class customer service, their extensive demographic range, and others.

Note: The parameters drawn herein are not specific or limited to any one. Therefore, there is no specific ranking attached.

1. Delta Air Lines

The Delta Air Lines tag line, “No one better connects the world”, says it all. Covering roughly 200+ destinations across almost 50 countries, Delta Air Lines is making it big in the news. Besides, it has a daily flight count ranging between 4000-5000 departures on average, making it quite evident that it has to be among the top 10 Busiest Airlines in the World.

To add on, why is an airline even the busiest of all? Because of its functionality from multiple locations and punctuality, which makes traveling by air convenient for a passenger with the desired ease of accessibility. And, this very airline was recently recognized as the most On-time Airline of 2024 and even earned a laurel for its beyond-excellent operational activity from the most reliable & authentic source for aviation analytics, Cirium. Speaking of which, the Delta is operational from pivotal markets in Atlanta, Amsterdam, London-Heathrow, L.A., Boston, and many others.

2. United Airlines

Running again 4000+ flights per day on average, makes United Airlines grab a perfect spot among the top 10 busiest airlines in the world. It is believed that the United now operates on 100+ additional main route flights each day. Moreover, United recently declared a magnanimous expansion worldwide, offering its services even to those areas that have not yet been covered by any other US-based airline. And, these include Mongolia, Taiwan, Spain, Bilao, and Italy, to name a few. This has, in turn, led to a hike in the number of customers opting for United Airlines to approximately 6%. Also, with their impromptu service to keep its passengers informed about any flight delays/changes in real-time, the airlines have removed that very hindrance of not being able to reach the destination on time.

3. Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines firmly stands as one of the top 10 busiest airlines in the world, with its operations spread across almost 11 countries now. With its highly flexible and user-friendly policies, you can feel safe as well as stress-free while flying with Southwest. Besides, the airline gives its customers the benefit of traveling at a lower cost. Thereby, creating a surge in demand among those who prefer to travel by air. Hence, they are now carrying a good number of passengers and flying nonstop, unlike any other U.S airline. In addition to this, the latest records show that the Southwest scored the highest in the economic section of the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Survey conducted in 2024. The Southwest Airlines average per day flight count is approximately 4000.

4. Ryanair

Ryanair is quite popular across nations for being always on time. As per the official website’s February 2025 data, the airlines have secured a 91% score on the above parameter, thereby helpful in attaining 89 percentile on customer satisfaction. Plus, it forms Europe’s Largest Network chain by connecting 30+ countries and around 200 airports. This is huge, right? Then how can it not be among the top 10 busiest airlines in the world? Besides, its pocket-friendly ticket is another unique selling point that attracts a lot of people traveling overseas on a regular basis. Furthermore, the Ryanair becomes the first airline in Europe to fly with over 200 million passengers in a year. And, with approximately 3000 flights on average per day, it has actually made it to the top ten.

5. China Southern Airlines

With its impressive network across the home nation, China Southern Airlines has successfully formed useful links with Oceania and Europe, which further connect it to North America, Africa via Asia, and the Middle East. Now, this vast expansion has further led to a rise in its demand. To be precise, the airline operates at least 3000 flights per day on average to 200+ destinations spread worldwide. Thus, making it count as one of the top 10 busiest airlines in the world. And, otherwise also China Southern Airlines has been in the news for quite a long time now. So, it already enjoys a good rapport with the public, which has helped it to become another busy airline across the globe.

6. China Eastern Airlines

According to records, China Eastern Airlines was anticipated to operate around 2500+ flights on a daily basis, covering around 100 destinations on average. This makes it truly worth the tag of being one of the top 10 busiest airlines in the world today. Its functional areas are Beijing Daxing International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Being a privileged member of the Skyteam, the airline assures a hassle-free and easy connectivity across different nations in the world.

Not only this, the airline is committed to serving its customers with the best innovations in the industry, such as ‘Complete in One Step’ and ‘Shuttle Service’, which is likely the reason for many people boarding a flight with them. This is also because customers’ rating goes with the amount of comfort and convenience they are provided. Thus, explaining the airline’s need to run on a regular basis.

7. IndiGo

Proudly known for its carrying capacity and low cost in India, the airline actually deserves to be one of the top 10 busiest airlines in the world, with around 2000+ IndiGo flights running daily on average. Also, with this lead, it’s evident that IndiGo is quite a name in the South Asian trade. It has the largest fleet in India, with massive connectivity across a total of 100+ destinations. Therefore, allowing and enabling to carry a good number of passengers in a flight. Plus, it’s operational on a daily basis and carries approximately 3,00,000 people per day.

8. Air China

Air China is the sole flag-bearing airline of the country, the People’s Republic of China. Besides, membership with the Star Alliance has played an important role in its network expansion, enabling it to reach around 1000+ destinations across 100+ regions spread across the globe.

This, in turn, has resulted in its successful placement among the top 10 busiest airlines in the world. Its main hubs are Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport.

9. EasyJet

Winning the hearts of many customers, EasyJet often boasts to be Europe’s most loved airline, indicating it is one of the top 10 busiest airlines in the world. With its flexible policies and proactive service, and emerging connectivity through Europe, the airline believes in bringing places and people together. Hence, offering a smooth travel experience. Besides, easyJet flights form a significant part of the average count of commercial flights every day, which is nearing 1,00,000.

10. Turkish Airlines

With so many titles and laurels to its name, Turkish Airlines brings in the credibility and reliability factor for its customers. Thereby, making it one of the most preferred airlines in Europe. Also, the airline offers fully refundable tickets within the 24-hour window of ticket booking, which is quite a charm for passengers flying to different destinations. And, as per the recent records, Turkish Airlines operates across 349 places in around 100+ countries, securing a well-deserved status among the top 10 busiest airlines in the world.

Fly with the Top 10 Busiest Airlines in the World

The above-mentioned top 10 busiest airlines in the world have shown remarkable consistency in their operations, with the urge to evolve with time. The need for an increase in the number of flights per day to meet the growing demand for air travel has caused the skies to bustle with frequent activity.

For those looking for a reliable and easy way to travel across the world, you may consider flying with any of the top 10 busiest airlines in the world.