Skytrax, the global rating agency for air travel, has named 20 carriers as the best regional airlines in the world in 2025. These mainline carriers operate several short-haul domestic and international flights.
While some of these carriers also serve longer routes, their main focus is to serve regional demand. Interestingly, almost none of the airlines that scored top ranks this year are low-cost carriers.
Best Regional Airlines in the World in 2025
Having covered that, here is the list of the top 10 regional airlines in the world in 2025 in a descending order, according to Skytrax.
Bangkok Airways A320 at Siem Reap (Photo by Paul Spijkers, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)1. Bangkok Airways (PG/BKP)
Bangkok Airways (PG) bags the number one spot for the “Best Regional Airline” ninth straight year. It was founded 50 years ago and is headquartered in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok.
Bangkok Airways offers a refined experience on short-haul routes across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Passengers are greeted with warm Thai hospitality from check-in to landing, and there’s a visible sense of hospitality along the way.
While flights are short and generally cheap, there’s free checked baggage and complimentary hot meals, which make it a seamless and welcoming experience. The cabin interiors are clean and bright, with friendly crews making each trip pleasant.
Photo: Virgin Australia2. Virgin Australia (VA/VOZ)
Virgin Australia (VA) is the main competitor to Qantas (QF) in and around Oceania, but makes this list due to its focus being regional, without too many intercontinental routes like its rival. Based in Brisbane (BNE), VA grabs second place for its efficient network in the region.
The airline connects remote towns with hubs like Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, and other destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific islands. What makes it a popular choice is its reliability through punctual flights, friendly crews, and a comfortable onboard experience.
Frequent flyers consider VA as one of the most convenient options for short-haul travel. Virgin Australia rightfully earns the second spot awarded to it by Skytrax.
Photo: Porter Airlines3. Porter Airlines (PD/PTR)
Porter Airlines is headquartered in Toronto (YYZ) and is the third-largest airline in Canada. With a fleet of over 70 aircraft offering safe, affordable travel near the country’s largest city, it ranks third in the 2025 Skytrax Best Regional Airlines ranking.
Their sleek Embraer E195-E2 fleet offers generous legroom and ensures relaxed short flights while enabling quick, on-time turnarounds. Onboard, there are snacks, complimentary wine and beer served in proper glassware, free high-speed Wi-Fi and a clean hard product.
Porter continues to uphold its brand values while expanding, delivering consistent service and remaining a popular choice in its market.
Aegean Airlines A320neo | Photo: Wikimedia commons4. Aegean Airlines (A3/AEE)
Aegean Airlines (A3) serves as Greece’s flag carrier and largest airline, leading in fleet size, destinations, and passenger numbers. It focuses on domestic routes over long-haul travel, keeping its status as a regional carrier.
Aegean equips its modern Airbus A320 fleet with comfortable seating, in-flight Wi-Fi on select routes, and rare short-haul perks like free meals and drinks. It brings full-service comfort to regional European travel.
Passengers often praise the genuinely friendly crew and relaxed onboard atmosphere, adding a quaint, Greek touch to the overall experience. While budget fares come with stricter baggage limits, and occasional delays do occur, Aegean’s hospitality in comparison to other European carriers does stand out.
Photo: Clément Alloing5. Azerbaijan Airlines (J2/AHY)
Azerbaijan has become a tourist hotspot over the last few years, and its flag carrier, Azerbaijan Airlines (J2), is also going from strength to strength. Focusing on growth in its home region, J2 ranks fifth in this year’s Skytrax Best Regional Airlines list.
The airline offers easy connections across the Caspian region, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, connecting cities with reliable and professional service. The cabin experience is neat and comfortable, with an attentive crew who do their best to enhance the onboard experience.
Passengers receive free checked baggage allowances and complimentary refreshments on many routes, helping even brief journeys feel complete. The airline’s modern fleet, including Airbus and Embraer aircraft, delivers smooth and comfortable service.
Photo: JFK Spotting6. jetBlue Airways (B6/JBU)
jetBlue (B6) began just 25 years ago and quickly became one of the United States’ most reliable airlines. It now connects the East, West, and South coasts, and recently expanded across the Atlantic.
jetBlue offers roomy cabins, free high-speed Wi‑Fi, and complimentary snacks and drinks. It brings a passenger-first approach to regional flying in a market where comfort is often lacking.
The airline’s signature leather seats, ample legroom, and large personal screens make short as well as longer flights pleasant. The cabin crew is friendly, and the company’s punctuality across a diverse network in the United States and the Caribbean has earned it a loyal base of passengers.
Photo- Tomás Del Coro; Wikimedia Commons7. Alaska Airlines (AS/ASA)
Alaska Airlines (AS) runs a similar model to jetBlue but targets the North and West coasts of the United States. It ranks seventh in Skytrax’s top 10 regional airlines in the world in 2025 and is the third North American carrier to make the cut.
The airline is known for its consistent punctuality and competitive fares. Inside the cabin, passengers enjoy spacious seating, free messaging and entertainment via the carrier’s mobile app, and complimentary priority boarding for frequent flyers.
The cabin crew have a helpful demeanour and are ever-present for service, showing a genuine sense of care on every flight. With a modern Boeing fleet and transparent customer service, Alaska is one of the most popular brands in regional flying.
Photo: Airbus8. Hong Kong Airlines (HX/CRK)
Hong Kong Airlines (HX) is only the second Asian carrier to feature on the list of top 10 regional airlines in the world by Skytrax. Owned by HNA Group, parent of Hainan Airlines, it ranks among the region’s best-connected carriers to China, Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
The airline operates a modern fleet that includes Airbus A320s and A330s. Passengers enjoy warm service, attentive crew, and clean cabins that make short journeys feel relaxed.
In spite of its regional scale, Hong Kong Airlines offers perks such as complimentary refreshments. While it doesn’t aim for luxury, the carrier delivers consistent comfort, safety and reliability at a fairly nominal price to its customers.
Photo: Andrew W. Sieber via Flickr9. RwandAir (WB/RWD)
RwandAir (WB) is the flag carrier of Rwanda and operates a fleet of only 13 airplanes to 25 destinations. It is the first African airline to receive a feature on Skytrax’s best regional airlines list for 2025.
Based in Kigali (KGL), the airline connects cities across Rwanda and neighbouring countries in East and Central Africa with a focus on efficient travel and friendly service. The cabins are clean, with attentive cabin crew who remain committed to making the journey hospitable.
Travellers credit the airline’s generous baggage allowances and complimentary refreshments, even on shorter flights. RwandAir operates a modern fleet of Embraer and Bombardier aircraft, making for comfortable travel and while its network isn’t vast, it does the job for a small country’s population.
Photo: Dylan Agbagni via Flickr10. Royal Air Maroc (AT/RAM)
Royal Air Maroc (AT) bags the tenth and final spot in the Skytrax rankings for the world’s 10 best regional airlines in 2025. Operating from its hub in Casablanca (CMN), a tourist hub for many, it is one of Africa’s leading carriers.
Its fleet, featuring Boeing 737s and 787s, offers a reliable and comfortable onboard experience. Passengers cite the airline’s dependable service, warm and courteous cabin crew, and consistently clean cabins, making even short hops feel welcoming.
Generous baggage allowances and complimentary snacks and drinks on many routes add to the ease of travel. While it may not be as expansive as some larger global carriers, Royal Air Maroc delivers efficient regional connections with a Moroccan touch aboard.
Photo- Rosedale7175; Wikimedia CommonsSkytrax’s World Airline Awards Methodology
Skytrax conducted an independent global survey, gathering feedback from over 20 million passengers across more than 100 nationalities. The process remained free from sponsorship or airline payments, ensuring fair and unbiased results.
It defined regional airlines as full-service carriers primarily operating domestic and international flights up to around six hours. Skytrax focused on carriers whose core business was short- to medium-haul travel, where service expectations are much different.
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