If you planned traveling from Southern Europe and contemplating the best airlines to use. Today based on statics from a reliable ranking body, Turkish Airlines was ranked to be the best airline to fly in Southern Europe, not only that, it doubles to be the best European airline today.
We have listed out the best airlines that fly both domestic and international flights in Southern Europe coupled with other information you may need in course of your flight booking.
10 Best Airlines in Southern Europe 2023
1. Turkish Airlines
Skytrax’s 2022 World Airline Awards recognized Turkish Airlines as Europe’s Best Airline for breaking records in the air after the aviation industry’s worst crisis and distinguishing out from the competitors all year.
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The esteemed flag carrier won multiple awards, including “Best Airline in Europe,” at the 2022 World Airline Awards gala, held on September 23 at London’s historic Langham Hotel.
According to votes from international passengers, Turkish Airlines is the finest airline in Europe. That same evening, the carrier also won awards for best airline in southern Europe and best business class catering in the globe.
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2. Iberia Airlines
Iberia, formally known as Iberia Lneas Aéreas de Espaa, S.A. Operadora, Sociedad Unipersonal, was established in 1927 and serves as Spain’s national airline. Its primary hub is located in Madrid-Barajas Airport, however, the company’s operations span the globe.
Iberia is a subsidiary of International Airlines Group along with its regional affiliate Iberia Regional, which is run by Air Nostrum. In addition to passenger and cargo transportation, Iberia Group also provides aircraft maintenance, airport handling, information technology, and onboard catering.
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There are more than 109 destinations served by Iberia Group airlines throughout 39 countries, with an additional 90 served through code-sharing partnerships.
It was announced on 8 April 2010 that British Airways and Iberia had reached a merger agreement, creating the world’s third-largest commercial airline in terms of revenue.
On November 29th, 2010, shareholders of both carriers unanimously approved the merger. Although the new firm, International Airlines Group (IAG), was officially formed in January 2011, both airlines continue to use their original names and logos.
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3. Aegean Airlines
When it comes to passengers, routes, and aircraft size, Aegean Airlines S.A. is unrivaled among Greek airlines and the country’s official flag carrier. Since joining the Star Alliance in June 2010, it has provided scheduled and charter services out of Athens and Thessaloniki to other major Greek cities as well as several cities in Europe and the Middle East.
Athens International Airport, Macedonia International Airport, and Larnaca International Airport are its primary gateways. It also uses a few other airports in Greece as bases, some of which are only used at certain times of the year. The company’s headquarters can be found in the Athens suburb of Kifisia.
Aegean Airlines first announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Olympic Air on October 21, 2012, and the purchase was finally authorized by the European Commission on October 9, 2013. The two airlines are still running under different names.
Moreover, Aegean Airlines was involved in the closing stages of the tender for the privatization of Cyprus Airways. After Cyprus Airways went bankrupt, a service void was left at Larnaca Airport, therefore Aegean Airlines set up shop there and began regularly scheduled flights to and from the island to a number of other locations.
4. Vueling Airlines
Founded in 1986, Vueling S.A. is a Spanish low-cost airline with headquarters in El Prat de Llobregat, Greater Barcelona, with primary hubs at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (main), Paris-Orly Airport (Paris, France), and Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (Rome, Italy) (secondary).
It has the largest fleet and flies to the most locations of any Spanish airline. More than 34 million customers flew with Vueling in 2019, and the company now covers 122 locations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East by 2021. British Airways and Iberia’s parent company, International Airlines Group, has owned Iberia since 2013.
5. SunExpress Airlines
The airline SunExpress is a joint venture between the Turkish government and the German airline Condor. Together, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa established SunExpress in October 1989.
It flies passengers to 90 different destinations throughout 30 different countries in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and the Red Sea, on both regularly scheduled and chartered flights.
The airline’s main business is on international travel, domestic Turkish flights to destinations in Anatolia, and wet leasing. Around 5,000 people work for SunExpress.
6. Air Malta Airlines
Air Malta plc is the national airline of Malta, operating out of its hub at Malta International Airport and its main offices in Luqa. The company provides transportation to locations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
7. Air Dolomiti Airlines
Regional airline Air Dolomiti S.p.A. is headquartered in Dossobuono, Villafranca di Verona, Italy. Its primary hub is at Verona Villafranca Airport, while its focal cities are in Munich Airport and Frankfurt Airport. That company is completely owned by Lufthansa.
8. ITA Airways
The Italian government wholly owns and operates Italy’s national airline, Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A., better known as ITA Airways. Full ownership is held by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance. The airline serves more than 41 domestic, European, and a few international destinations on a regular basis.
9. LEVEL Airlines
International Airlines Group (IAG)-owned airlines conduct low-cost flights under the Level airline brand, which is a trade name for Fly LEVEL SL. The headquarters of the company are in Madrid, Spain.
In June 2017, Level began offering transatlantic flights out of Barcelona-El Prat Airport, positioning itself first as a low-cost, long-haul carrier.
In July of 2018, Level Europe began operating short-haul flights out of Vienna International Airport and took over long-haul flights out of Paris Orly Airport, previously operated by IAG subsidiary OpenSkies.
As of the 18th of June, 2020, Level Europe was insolvent, and all of the Austrian carrier’s short-haul flights under the Level Europe brand were immediately discontinued.
Although ticket sales for OpenSkies flights under the brand were later resumed, operations did not resume with the announcement of the closing of OpenSkies on 8 July 2020, which initially stopped the brand’s long-haul flights based at Paris Orly. As a result of Level Europe and OpenSkies closing, the brand’s long-haul flights from Barcelona were operated by Iberia, but not by other airlines.
10. Air Nostrum Airlines
The Valencia-based Air Nostrum is a regional airline in Spain. Its full legal name is Air Nostrum Lneas Aéreas del Mediterráneo, S.A.
The company is currently a Oneworld associate airline under the Iberia Regional brand.
All told, Air Nostrum flies to 91 different locations nationally and internationally, as well as on charter flights. The Valencia Airport is its principal location, with the Barcelona Airport and the Madrid-Barajas Airport serving as secondary hubs.
Since late 2018, limited operations have also been carried out on behalf of Brussels Airlines, taking the place of the aforementioned wet-lease specialized airline CityJet.
Conclusion
So, if there you need to travel in or out of any countries in Southern Europe, we have listed 10 of the best airlines you can book for your trip, if there are any we are omitting from this list, you may let us know via the comment section below.
