The UAE continues to soar in global aviation rankings, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airports earning places in the world’s top 20 airports, according to the 2025 AirHelp Score released by leading travel tech company AirHelp.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) led the way in passenger experience, clinching the top global spot for its food and shopping options with an impressive score of 9.1 out of 10. Overall, it placed 18th worldwide with a solid 8.14 score. Not far behind, Abu Dhabi International Airport ranked 19th with an overall score of 8.11.
The AirHelp Score evaluated 250 airports across 68 countries based on punctuality, customer opinions, and food and shops—key categories that reflect the overall passenger journey. Cape Town International Airport in South Africa topped the list globally with a score of 8.57.
The 2025 results reflect a dramatic rise from the Middle East, which now boasts eight airports in the top 20—up from just two in 2024—signaling the region’s growing prominence in aviation excellence. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport in Doha secured second place globally with a score of 8.52 and was named the best-performing airport in the region. Saudi Arabia’s King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh took third place globally, jumping 30 spots from last year with a score of 8.47.
Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, emphasized the importance of data-driven transparency in air travel. “Our goal is to equip [passengers] with an insight into flight performance using other factors that matter,” he said. “Through the AirHelp Score, we can help passengers better predict what their experience will look like at different airports and what they can do if their flight gets delayed, cancelled or overbooked.”
Since 2015, the AirHelp Score has guided passengers in choosing airlines and airports beyond just ticket price, offering an annual global benchmark based on real travel data and customer feedback.
