Choosing the best airline in Africa is not simply about finding the cheapest ticket. For many travellers, the overall experience matters too: cabin comfort, staff service, baggage handling, food, airport experience, route network and how smoothly an airline gets you from one destination to another. One of the most recognised benchmarks in the aviation industry is the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards, which are based on feedback from airline passengers around the world. In the 2025 Skytrax rankings for Africa, Ethiopian Airlines retained the number-one position, followed by Air Mauritius and RwandAir. South African Airways, EgyptAir, Royal Air Maroc and Kenya Airways also made the top ten, alongside three increasingly important African low-cost carriers: FlySafair, LIFT and fastjet.
Here is a closer look at the 10 best airlines in Africa according to Skytrax’s 2025 passenger survey, what each airline is known for and which one might make the most sense for your next journey.
What is Skytrax?
Skytrax is a UK-based international air transport rating organisation established in 1989. It is widely known for evaluating airlines and airports and for organising the annual World Airline Awards. There is an important distinction between two Skytrax products.
The World Airline Awards, including the Best Airlines in Africa ranking covered in this article, are based on passenger voting and customer satisfaction surveys. Skytrax’s separate Airline Star Ratings, such as a 4-Star or 5-Star Airline rating, are based on professional audits of airline product and service standards rather than passenger votes. That distinction matters because an airline’s position in the World Airline Awards reflects how passengers rated their travel experiences rather than simply an inspection of the aircraft or cabin.
How did the Skytrax 2025 airline survey work?
The survey behind the 2025 World Airline Awards ran from September 2024 to May 2025 and included passengers from more than 100 nationalities. More than 325 airlines appeared in the survey results. Passengers rated different parts of the journey on a scale from 1 to 5. These included factors such as check-in, boarding, airport staff, cabin service, seat comfort, cleanliness, inflight entertainment, Wi-Fi, food and beverages and overall value for money. Skytrax says survey entries are screened for duplicate, suspicious or ineligible responses. The organisation also applies weighting based on passenger numbers so that larger airlines do not automatically dominate smaller carriers simply because they carry more passengers. Airlines do not pay an entry fee to participate in the survey.
Best Airlines in Africa 2025: The Rankings
| Africa Rank | Airline | Main Hub | Skytrax Global Rank 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa (ADD) | 38 |
| 2 | Air Mauritius | Mauritius (MRU) | 63 |
| 3 | RwandAir | Kigali (KGL) | 64 |
| 4 | South African Airways | Johannesburg (JNB) | 67 |
| 5 | EgyptAir | Cairo (CAI) | 68 |
| 6 | Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca (CMN) | 70 |
| 7 | Kenya Airways | Nairobi (NBO) | 89 |
| 8 | FlySafair | Johannesburg (JNB) | Not in Top 100 |
| 9 | LIFT | Johannesburg (JNB) | Not in Top 100 |
| 10 | fastjet | Harare (HRE) | Not in Top 100 |
Skytrax placed Ethiopian Airlines at 38th globally, making it the highest-ranked African carrier in its 2025 World Top 100. Air Mauritius followed at 63rd, RwandAir at 64th, South African Airways at 67th, EgyptAir at 68th, Royal Air Maroc at 70th and Kenya Airways at 89th.
1. Ethiopian Airlines
Africa rank: 1
Global rank: 38
Main hub: Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Ethiopian Airlines remains the airline to beat in African aviation. Skytrax named it Best Airline in Africa for the seventh consecutive year in 2025. Its strength goes well beyond its overall ranking. Ethiopian also won Skytrax awards for Best Economy Class in Africa, Best Business Class in Africa and Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Africa. Addis Ababa is Ethiopian’s principal hub, and the airline has built a particularly extensive network connecting African cities with Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
Known for: A large African and international network, strong connecting opportunities through Addis Ababa and competitive long-haul services. For passengers travelling between Africa and destinations further afield, Ethiopian’s network can make it one of the most practical choices on the continent.
2. Air Mauritius
Africa rank: 2
Global rank: 63
Main hub: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU)
Air Mauritius climbed considerably in Skytrax’s global ranking, moving from 85th in 2024 to 63rd in 2025. The airline naturally plays an important role in bringing travellers to Mauritius, but its network also connects the island with destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean region. Air Mauritius describes its onboard experience as an extension of Mauritian hospitality, which fits particularly well with an airline carrying large numbers of leisure travellers to one of Africa’s most popular island destinations.
Known for: Mauritian hospitality, leisure travel and international connections to Mauritius.
It is an especially attractive option for passengers whose final destination is Mauritius rather than travellers simply looking for the largest possible connecting network.
3. RwandAir
Africa rank: 3
Global rank: 64
Main hub: Kigali International Airport (KGL)
RwandAir has developed Kigali into an increasingly important connecting point for travel across Africa. Skytrax ranked RwandAir as the Best Regional Airline in Africa in 2025. Even more impressively, it ranked ninth among regional airlines worldwide. The airline also finished second for Best Airline Staff in Africa, strengthening its reputation for customer service.
Known for: Regional African connectivity, customer service and convenient connections through Kigali. For travellers moving between African countries, particularly when a nonstop flight is unavailable, RwandAir can be worth comparing against the continent’s larger carriers.
4. South African Airways
Africa rank: 4
Global rank: 67
Main hub: Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
South African Airways, commonly known as SAA, continues to rebuild its network and remains one of Africa’s most recognisable airline brands. Johannesburg serves as the central hub for its domestic, regional African and long-haul operations. Skytrax placed SAA fourth in Africa and 67th globally in 2025. It also ranked fourth for airline staff service within Africa.
Known for: Southern African connectivity, full-service flying and connections through Johannesburg. SAA can be particularly useful when travelling between South Africa and major cities elsewhere in Southern, East and West Africa.
5. EgyptAir
Africa rank: 5
Global rank: 68
Main hub: Cairo International Airport (CAI)
EgyptAir had one of the most notable performances in the 2025 Skytrax awards. It was named Most Improved Airline in Africa and ranked fifth among the world’s most improved airlines. EgyptAir also won Best Airline Staff in Africa, Best Cabin Crew in Africa and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa. As a Star Alliance member based at Cairo International Airport, EgyptAir offers useful connections between Africa, the Middle East, Europe and other international markets.
Known for: Cairo connections, an extensive international network and improving passenger service. Its location makes EgyptAir particularly interesting for passengers travelling between Africa and Europe or the Middle East.
6. Royal Air Maroc
Africa rank: 6
Global rank: 70
Main hub: Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca (CMN)
Royal Air Maroc has turned Casablanca into an important gateway between Africa, Europe and the Americas. The airline ranked sixth overall in Africa and 70th globally. It also finished as the second-best regional airline in Africa and tenth worldwide in Skytrax’s regional airline category. Royal Air Maroc is also a member of the oneworld alliance, expanding the range of onward travel possibilities available to its passengers.
Known for: Connections between Africa, Europe and North America through Casablanca.
Its geographic position makes Royal Air Maroc particularly useful for West African travellers heading towards Europe or across the Atlantic.
7. Kenya Airways
Africa rank: 7
Global rank: 89
Main hub: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi (NBO)
Kenya Airways remains one of East Africa’s most important network airlines. Its Nairobi hub connects dozens of destinations, with a particularly strong presence within Africa. Kenya Airways is also a SkyTeam member, providing additional connection opportunities through partner airlines. Skytrax placed Kenya Airways seventh in Africa and 89th globally in its 2025 ranking.
Known for: East African connectivity, its Nairobi hub and a broad network of African destinations.
It can be a logical choice for journeys involving Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and other destinations across East and Central Africa.
8. FlySafair
Africa rank: 8
Global Top 100: Not listed
Main hub: Johannesburg (JNB)
FlySafair represents a very different type of airline from the long-haul flag carriers near the top of the ranking. The South African low-cost carrier was named Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa for 2025 by Skytrax. Its network is particularly strong inside South Africa, while international services also connect Johannesburg with destinations such as Harare, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar and Mauritius.
Known for: Low fares, South African domestic flights and straightforward short-haul travel.
For price-conscious travellers flying within Southern Africa, FlySafair is well worth comparing with traditional full-service airlines.
9. LIFT
Africa rank: 9
Global Top 100: Not listed
Main hub: Johannesburg (JNB), with a major Cape Town operation
South Africa’s LIFT is another relatively young airline that has managed to break into Skytrax’s African top ten. It ranked second among the Best Low-Cost Airlines in Africa in 2025, behind FlySafair. Its core network connects Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, with a strong emphasis on flexibility and a simplified passenger experience.
Known for: Flexible domestic travel, Johannesburg-Cape Town services and a more contemporary approach to low-cost flying.
For travellers moving between South Africa’s biggest cities, LIFT gives passengers another strong alternative to both FlySafair and full-service carriers.
10. fastjet
Africa rank: 10
Global Top 100: Not listed
Main hub: Harare (HRE)
Completing Skytrax’s African top ten is fastjet, which primarily operates within Zimbabwe and between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Skytrax also ranked fastjet as the third-best low-cost airline in Africa, behind FlySafair and LIFT. Its network includes key Zimbabwean destinations such as Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls alongside regional routes into South Africa.
Known for: Zimbabwean domestic travel and affordable regional connections within Southern Africa.
fastjet can be particularly useful for travellers heading to Zimbabwe who want simple regional connections rather than a large international network.
Which African airline might suit you best?
There is no single airline that will be best for every journey. If you want a large African network with plenty of international connections, Ethiopian Airlines is difficult to ignore. For travel to Mauritius, Air Mauritius offers the advantage of being the island’s home carrier. Travellers prioritising regional African connections and service may find RwandAir particularly attractive, while Kenya Airways is well positioned for journeys through East Africa. South African Airways remains useful for full-service connections through Johannesburg, while FlySafair and LIFT are strong options for travellers focused primarily on affordable flights within South Africa. Royal Air Maroc can make sense for travel between Africa, Europe and North America through Casablanca, while EgyptAir’s Cairo hub is strategically positioned for connections towards Europe and the Middle East. And for passengers travelling to or within Zimbabwe, fastjet provides another practical regional option. Most importantly, do not choose an airline based on rankings alone. Compare the total fare, baggage allowance, journey time, connection length, airport used and ticket conditions before deciding.
Search and Compare Flights
A highly rated airline is useful only if its route, schedule and price work for your journey. Use Tripenger’s flight search to compare available flights, airlines, journey times and fares for your destination. Whether you are travelling within Africa or connecting from cities such as Dublin, London, Paris, Johannesburg, Lagos, Harare or Nairobi, comparing several options can help you find the combination of price and convenience that works best for you.
Ranking information in this article is based on the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025. Airline routes, schedules, fares and services can change, so travellers should check current flight options when booking.
