Ryanair and Aer Lingus Lag in Customer Satisfaction Rankings

Ryanair and Aer Lingus have both received unfavorable ratings in recent customer satisfaction surveys, with Ryanair ranking last among short-haul airlines and Aer Lingus at the bottom of the long-haul list, according to research published on February 27, 2026. The findings, released by Which? Magazine, highlight ongoing concerns regarding service quality at both Irish carriers.

Short-Haul Discontent: Ryanair at the Bottom

Ryanair received an overall score of 55% in the Which? survey, earning two stars out of five for its booking process, boarding procedures, customer service, and cabin environment. Seat comfort received the lowest rating, with only one star. The Irish Times reports that over a third of Ryanair’s customers reported experiencing issues during their journey.

Despite the low overall score, Ryanair achieved three stars in the “value for money” category, though this was lower than competitors such as Jet2, Lufthansa, TUI, and Aer Lingus. Which? noted that one customer felt the airline’s pricing structure relies heavily on additional fees that negate initial savings.

Ryanair dismissed the survey results, stating that neither the airline nor its 208 million passengers “pay any attention to these made-up manufactured surveys or their fake results.” BreakingNews.ie reported Ryanair’s assertion that customers have a choice and overwhelmingly choose to fly with them.

Long-Haul Concerns: Aer Lingus Struggles

Aer Lingus fared poorly in the long-haul category, receiving a score of 65%. The airline received two stars for seat comfort and cabin environment, critical factors for longer flights. But, Aer Lingus did achieve three stars for value for money, customer service, booking process, boarding process, and food and drink.

In the short-haul category, Aer Lingus scored 71%, placing it in the middle of the pack.

Jet2 and Singapore Airlines Lead the Pack

Jet2 was recognized as the top-performing short-haul airline, praised for its reliability and fewer last-minute flight cancellations. It received four stars for its booking process, customer service, and value for money. Singapore Airlines topped the long-haul charts with a customer score of 81%, earning five stars for its cabin environment and customer service.

Key Takeaways

• Ryanair ranked last in short-haul customer satisfaction with a score of 55%.
• Aer Lingus finished last in long-haul customer satisfaction.
• Jet2 was the highest-rated short-haul airline.
• Singapore Airlines was the highest-rated long-haul airline.
• Ryanair defended its service, dismissing the survey as inaccurate.