Simon Calder says low-cost carrier is 'best airline in the world' -

Simon Calder says low-cost carrier is 'best airline in the world' reports the travel expert’s endorsement of Ryanair as the top airline globally. Calder, speaking on his The Travel Expert podcast on the Daily Telegraph, argued that the budget carrier deserves first place, attributing the ranking to safety, value for money and the crew. He acknowledged that some travelers may be surprised given Ryanair’s frequently criticized no-frills experience, its numerous ticket add-ons and its strict approach to baggage rules. Calder also referenced Ryanair’s social media style and CEO Michael O’Leary’s forthright, commercially oriented public profile, while maintaining that the safety record remains exceptional. He said Ryanair has flown 2.2 billion people without fatal accidents and described his own travel cost for three flights as £52. For 2025, he cited Ryanair running the most routes worldwide, serving 5,400 airports, with Italy leading demand at 46 million seats and Spain near 39 million. The airline reported operating profit of €2,374.2m, a short-haul fleet of 647 aircraft and 208 million booked passengers.