10 Best Airlines in Africa 2023 [Skytrax Ranking]

If you are on the shore of Africa and thinking of the best airline to fly either domestically or internationally, Skytrax has ranked Ethiopian Airlines as the best airline in Africa currently. This was because Ethiopian airline is one of the largest airlines in Africa, not only that, Ethiopian airline is one of the airlines in Africa that serve more international destinations and offer its passengers comforts onboard coupled with many other amenities.

Ethiopian Airlines was not the only airline that was ranked by Skytrax, there are other airlines that come after Ethiopian airlines and we shall be looking at them shortly.

10 Best Airlines in Africa 2023 [Skytrax Ranking]

1. Ethiopian Airlines

First on the list of best African airlines is Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines is Ethiopia’s flag carrier and is headquartered in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest airlines in Africa, flies to over 60 different countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, and they also have a sizable local and international cargo network. It wasn’t until December 2011 that Ethiopian Airlines joined Star Alliance.

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2. Royal Air Maroc Airlines

In Morocco, the most popular airline is Royal Air Maroc or RAM for short. With the joining of Air Maroc and Air Atlas in July 1953, the airline was born. The company’s main hub is the Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, however, its headquarters are located at the nearby Casablanca-Anfa Airport.

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RAM offers both short and long-distance flights to over a hundred different locations in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

3. South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA) is the national flag carrier of South Africa and one of the largest airlines in Africa, with major hubs in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The South African government owns 100% of the airline, which provides domestic and international services across the continent and beyond to places including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and the United Kingdom. It wasn’t until 2006 that SAA joined the Star Alliance.

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4. Kenya Airways

One of Africa’s most prominent airlines, Kenya Airways serves a wide range of international hotspots. Since its inception, the airline’s popularity has skyrocketed, and it is now one of the most successful in all of Africa.

Since 2016 and 2017, Kenya Airways has been recognized as the leading airline in Africa by World Travel Awards. The airline, often known as “Africa’s Pride,” is widely recognized for its commitment to providing exceptional service across the continent.

5. Air Mauritius Airlines

Located at Port Louis’s Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Air Mauritius is the island nation’s official airline. Founded in 1972 as Air Mauritius ltd., the national airline has grown to become the fourth largest in sub-Saharan Africa.

There are 23 destinations that passengers can fly to directly, and through the airline’s partners, they can reach over 100 other destinations.

6. Egyptair Airlines

EgyptAir is the national airline of the Arab Republic of Egypt and has its headquarters at Cairo International Airport. Extensive domestic and regional scheduled passenger and freight flights throughout Egypt and Africa, as well as international routes to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America, are all part of the airline’s network.

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In July 2008, EgyptAir joined the Star Alliance, making it one of the largest airlines in Africa. The European, African, and Middle Eastern freight needs of EgyptAir are handled by EgyptAir Cargo.

7. RwandAir Airlines

The Rwandan flag carrier, RwandAir, currently serves more than 30 international destinations in Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Based out of Kigali International Airport (KGL), the airline is rapidly expanding and boasts one of the newest, most technologically advanced fleets across the continent.

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The airline’s goal is to connect Rwanda with the rest of the world in a strategic way by providing unrivaled, safe, and dependable air transportation services.

8. FlySafair Airlines

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Johannesburg, FlySafair is a budget airline serving the South African market. The airline mostly operates flights within South Africa and serves over five different domestic destinations.

Although FlySafair’s parent firm has been around for 50 years, the airline itself didn’t take off until October 2014. Cape Town International Airport (CPT), OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), and King Shaka International Airport (SAV) are FlySafair’s three main airport bases (DUR).

Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg are just a few of the seven domestic South African cities that FlySafair serves. It uses its fleet of 16 Boeing planes to make the trips.

9. Fastjet Airlines

Fastjet Plc is a holding company headquartered in the United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa for a network of low-cost airlines serving Africa. Fastjet’s East African subsidiary, Fly540, was acquired in 2012, and the company’s first flights under the Fastjet brand took place in November of the same year in Tanzania. The company’s stated goal is to become the first low-cost, pan-African airline.

Starting in October 2015, Fastjet Zimbabwe began service, followed by Fastjet Mozambique in November 2017. The launch of activities within South Africa proper has also been announced. As of this past February (2018), the airline deployed four Embraer E145s to various locations in East and Southern Africa. It has an overall on-time performance of 90% and has transported over 2.5 million people.

10. Air Seychelles Airlines

Established on the island of Mahe, Air Seychelles is the flag carrier of Seychelles. The airline serves numerous cities in a wide range of countries in Africa and central/eastern Asia.

Once established in 1978, Air Seychelles initially operated only internal flights until expanding into international service in 1983, with stops in Frankfurt and London. The airline has expanded its international route network over the years and now serves other countries beyond Seychelles.

Skytrax gave Air Seychelles the highest possible rating of four stars in 2014, and the World Travel Awards named it the best airline in the Indian Ocean for both business class and cabin service.

Who Is The Best Airline In Africa?

The best airline in Africa right now is Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines remained at the top of Skytrax’s list of the finest airlines in Africa for 2022.

Which Is The No 1 Airline In The World?

The best airline in the world right now is Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways, the current champion, has now won the award seven times since the category was created in 1999. Also on Friday, the Qatari flag carrier took home eight more awards, including “Best Business Class,” “Best Business Class Seat,” and “Best Business Class Lounge Dining.”

Who Is The Biggest Airline In Africa?

The biggest airline in Africa right now is Ethiopian airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance network, is the largest airline in Africa because of its low fares and broad route system. Haile Selassie founded the airline in 1945 as a means of upgrading and distancing his country from its past reputation.

Which Is The Cheapest Airline In Africa?

The cheapest and low-cost airlines in Africa right now are FlySafair airline, Fastjet airline, Kulula airline, Mango airline,  and Jambojet airline.

How Many Airlines Are In Africa?

There are 357 airlines in Africa, with the top 10 accounting for almost 60% of all traffic. This is because many African airlines are extremely modest in size, with only two planes at most.

Which Is The Best Airline In South Africa?

The best airline in South Africa is South African Airways. They were the first African airline to achieve four stars on Skytrax’s rating system, and their service has become the gold standard across the continent. The accolade of “Best Airline in Africa” is just one of many awards it has won.

Where Is The Busiest Airport In Africa?

The busiest airport in Africa right now is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. In terms of cargo traffic, Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was Africa’s busiest airport in the year 2022. While the Kenya Airports Authority operates several airports, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is its primary hub (KAA).

Conclusion

If you are in the quest to know which airline you can board safely in Africa, we have given you the list according to Skytrax ranking and all you need to know. If there is any airline we are missing in this listing of the best airlines in Africa, do let us know via the comment section below.