This Airline Was Named the No. 1 Low-cost Carrier in the World

• Airline Ratings released its rankings for the World's Best Airlines of 2025.

• It named Hanoi-based airline Vietjet the No. 1 low-cost airline in the world. 

• VietJet has domestic flights between Vietnam and routes within Asia, too.

Vacationing is expensive. According to data from Pacaso, the average cost of just travel (domestic round-trip flight, airport parking, and rideshare) for a week-long vacation in 2024 for two people was $1,040, up 3 percent year-over-year.

No matter how you slice it, going on an adventure will cost you some cash. However, there are ways to save like considering a budget airline. We know that "budget airline" usually conjures up nightmares of having to pay all sorts of extra fees for little to no service, but there not all carriers are equal.

In February, Airline Ratings released its rankings for the World's Best Airlines of 2025. The team selected their airline "based on a set of stringent criteria." To be considered for the list, an airline must offer a "comprehensive full-service experience, including meals, snacks, and beverages regardless of flight duration." Its economy seat pitch must also be at least 31 inches, and its business class must have lie-flat beds. Finally, the airline must have a seven-star safety rating and offer a consistent range of in-flight product. Though not mandatory, the list also took into consideration amenities like WiFi and in-seat power.

However, specifically for its low-cost airline list, the team considered airlines that "offer a combination of affordable on-board services, such as meals, drinks, and snacks," while other services like Wi-Fi must be available to purchase. The list also noted that the highest-ranked low-cost carriers "offer exceptionally low base fares and maintain an excellent route network" and must also meet that seven-star rating.

So, after doing all that labor, it named Vietjet, a Vietnamese airline based in Hanoi, as the top low-cost airline in the world.

"VietJet has mastered the art of delivering exceptional value to passengers, combining competitive fares with a reliable and innovative service model," Sharon Petersen, CEO of Airline Ratings, shared. "Their ability to make air travel accessible to millions without compromising on safety or efficiency sets them apart. In addition to this, our onboard reviews have noticed time and time again the dedication of their crew to help all passengers, and that is something we highly regard."

The airline operates domestic flights within Vietnam but also flies between Thailand, India, China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Australia, and Dubai.

However, it's not the only low-cost carrier getting a shoutout. The list also noted Cebu Pacific, an airline out of the Philippines, was its runner-up.

See what other airlines made the larger list at airlineratings.com. 

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