The consumer group surveyed more than 5,500 travellers about their recent flying experiences. Ryanair finished at the bottom of the short-haul table with an overall customer score of 55 percent. It received two stars for booking, boarding, customer service and cabin environment, and just one star for seat comfort. One respondent described the aircraft as “dirty” with “awful” seating.

Ryanair was awarded three stars for value for money, behind competitors including Jet2, Lufthansa, TUI and Aer Lingus. More than a third of Ryanair passengers reported that something went wrong during their journey.

Wizz Air also ranked near the bottom with a score of 59 percent. Customers cited poor communication during delays and weak customer service. The airline said the survey relied on a small sample of 259 respondents, compared with the 12 million passengers it carried on UK flights in 2025, and noted improvements in punctuality and satisfaction over the past year.

easyJet scored 67 percent overall. While its punctuality has improved and cancellations have declined, it received two stars for customer service, seat comfort and cabin environment. A spokesperson said the airline’s pricing model allows customers to pay only for what they need, with around 40 percent choosing to travel with the basic fare.

Which? said budget airlines often advertise low headline fares but charge additional fees for cabin baggage and seat selection. The group recently prompted a ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority over cabin bag pricing. “Many other passengers fly with them because of the enticingly low headline fares,” said Which? Travel editor Rory Boland. “But ridiculously expensive charges for baggage and other add-ons mean they are no longer guaranteed to be the cheapest option. Fly with anyone else, if you can.”

At the top of the short-haul ranking was Jet2 with 76 percent, praised for reliability. British Airways scored 72 percent, earning four stars for customer service. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, 74 percent of its flights departed on time in the latest period, up from 65 percent a year earlier.

For long-haul travel, Singapore Airlines led with 81 percent, followed by Emirates at 80 percent and Virgin Atlantic at 79 percent. Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic both received five stars for customer service, with passengers praising cabin comfort and attentive staff.

In contrast, Aer Lingus ranked lowest among long-haul carriers with 65 percent, while several US airlines, including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, were placed near the bottom of the table.

China is preparing for a record-breaking surge in travel as hundreds of millions of people head home for the Lunar New Year, marking what is widely described as the world’s largest annual human migration.

Government officials estimate that 9.5 billion trips will be made during the 40-day travel period surrounding the Lunar New Year on February 17, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The figure represents a new high for the annual travel season known in China as “chunyun.”

Of the projected journeys, about 540 million will be taken by train and 95 million by air, with the majority of trips made by road.

The Lunar New Year holiday holds deep significance in a country where many workers endure long hours and limited annual leave. For millions of migrant workers and urban employees, it is the only extended break of the year and a rare chance to reunite with family.

At Beijing’s railway stations, crowds filled waiting halls, many carrying large suitcases and bags packed with gifts. Some passengers ate instant noodles as they waited, taking advantage of the free hot water provided at stations.

Liu Zhiquan, a construction worker based in Beijing, was preparing for a train ride lasting more than 30 hours to reach Chengdu, roughly 2,000 kilometers away. He chose a slower, cheaper service rather than a high-speed train, which would cut the journey to nine hours but cost more than twice as much.

“Things feel worse this year than last. The economy is bad and it’s getting harder to make money,” Liu said. Despite the lengthy trip, he said returning home for the holiday was non-negotiable.

For many young professionals, the break offers a rare opportunity to reconnect with relatives. Tian Duofu, who recently began working full time in Beijing, said she was looking forward to the nine-day holiday starting February 15.

“It has become more difficult for a big family to get together,” she said. “After I started working, I realised such a long holiday is rare and we see each other less and less in person, which makes the Spring Festival significant.”

Small business owners also make the journey home. Tian Yunxia, who runs a breakfast stall in the capital and hails from Henan province, said the festival atmosphere cannot be replicated away from family.

“The new year is the festival of the year, and if we don’t go back home, we won’t be able to enjoy the festival atmosphere,” she said. “I want to go home to see my children, my grandchildren and my husband.”

As the travel rush gathers pace, transport authorities are deploying additional services and staff to manage the unprecedented volume of passengers crossing the country.