The new Mintel report on scheduled airlines reveals that British Airways is the UK’s most frequently used airline, with two out of three passengers in a sample of 2,000 having flown with the carrier.
However, Virgin Atlantic appears to have the best reputation, with 54% saying they would choose to fly with the carrier – double the rate for BA.
Air France-KLM, BMI and Lufthansa also rated higher than BA for future use in the survey, conducted in May this year.
BA came out on top as a trusted brand, rated so by 70% of respondents compared with 60% for Virgin Atlantic and 40% or below for other scheduled carriers.
Just over half the respondents felt confident flying with BA, compared with 40% with Virgin Atlantic and 27% or less with other featured airlines.
However, BA also scored highest when respondents were asked if the carrier had ever disappointed them – 14% agreeing BA had done so compared with 9% or less for most airlines and just 3% for Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin was perceived as the most environmentally and socially responsible carrier, although only by one in four adults.