The best and worst airlines of 2025

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Airlines had a tumultuous 2025
• Some emerged as winners by navigating the hurdles with major investments in operations, while others struggled
• The top airline of 2025, which invested billions in improving services amid corporate restructuring, has been praised for turning around its performance, making it a standout in an industry that faced a particularly rocky year

🔭 The context: Airlines, constantly dealing with external challenges such as regulatory changes and natural events, are expected to also manage internal issues like staffing and customer service
• The success of the best-performing airline is attributed to its ability to adapt quickly and strategically, despite significant operational disruptions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The aviation industry remains one of the biggest contributors to global carbon emissions
• Airlines investing in better operations may also need to prioritize sustainable practices, improving fuel efficiency, and reducing their environmental footprint to align with global sustainability goals

⏭️ What’s next: Airlines continue to face environmental and logistical challenges
• Companies that can effectively blend improved operational strategies with sustainable innovations will likely emerge as leaders in the industry

💬 One quote: “The true test for airlines in 2025 was how they handled the hurdles thrown at them.”

📈 One stat: Billions in investments have been spent by the top-performing airline to improve services amid a challenging year, showing the high stakes of competition in the sector

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance — carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies

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