This ‘smaller’ Liverpool airport has officially been named the best in the UK, soaring above every other British terminal in a major new global ranking.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport‘s impressive ranking puts it well ahead of its UK rivals – with the local airport being smaller than southern competitors like Heathrow or Gatwick.
However, it was placed 35th out of 250, the highest in the UK in the 2025 AirHelp Score, which rates airports across the globe.
London City was the next best performer at 56th. The big names, including Gatwick and Heathrow didn’t fare so well — in fact, Gatwick was named the worst-performing UK airport, coming in at a shocking 235th worldwide.
Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, didn’t exactly fly high either, managing only 178th place.
Both major London hubs have faced a tough year, with staffing shortages, strike action, delays and even a power substation fire at Heathrow all causing major disruption.
Airports reviewed
The annual AirHelp report, which has been running since 2015, scores airports on three main areas: punctuality, the quality of passenger service (like staff and comfort), and the range of food and shops.
This year’s report ranked airports in 68 countries and offers insight just as the busy summer getaway season gets into full swing.
Other UK airports also struggled. Leeds Bradford came in mid-table at 132nd, but Manchester and Birmingham fell near the bottom at 220th and 214th respectively — largely due to complaints about delays and poor customer service.
The results paint a worrying picture for some of the UK’s biggest terminals, but also highlight the reliability of smaller airports like Liverpool, especially as more people gear up for their summer holidays.
Global airports ranked
Topping the global rankings this year is Cape Town International Airport in South Africa, with Doha Hamad and Riyadh King Khaled following closely behind.
At the other end, Tunis Carthage Airport in Tunisia was rated the worst in the world.
Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, said the rankings should give travellers a clearer picture before they fly.
“As millions of people get ready to fly off on holiday, our data shows exactly where you’re most likely to have a smooth trip — and where you might want to pack a bit more patience,” he said.
“It’s brilliant to see Liverpool and London City doing so well, but there’s still work to do at some of the UK’s other big airports.
“For anyone flying this summer, it’s worth knowing your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled. Being prepared can make all the difference to your trip.”
