Delta is the world’s most valuable airline measured by brand value, according to a new study by Brand Finance.
The English brand assessment company, Brand Finance, has evaluated the world’s airlines and the strength of their individual brands. Delta Air Lines is once again the most valuable airline in the world. In Europe, Lufthansa must see itself beaten by a low-cost airline.
Delta tops the survey with a brand value of US$8.9 billion (€8.3 billion), followed by fast-growing American Airlines, whose brand value rose 36 percent to US$8.5 billion (€7.9 billion) last year.
Next in third place are United Airlines, in fourth place Emirates and the American low-cost airline Southwest Airlines in fifth place. The other airlines in the top 10 are occupied by the three major Chinese airlines China Southern, China Eastern and Air China, followed by Air Canada and Qatar Airways.
According to the evaluations, Lufthansa has lost brand value compared to the previous year. Last year, the German airline was still in seventh place worldwide, but now Lufthansa has to settle for 13th place – surpassed by a European low-cost airline.
According to Brand Finance, the most valuable airline in Europe is Ryanair on 12th place. Lufthansa is following closely on 13th place, ahead of Singapore Airlines, British Airways and Qantas. Easyjet ranks 23rd, KLM 25th.
Changes in brand value. Brand Finance
Sustainability as a new important factor
As part of Brand Finance analysis, the importance of certain brand attributes to the brand’s overall value is evaluated. According to the institute, one such characteristic which is rapidly gaining importance is sustainability.
According to the evaluation, Delta not only achieves the highest brand value of all airlines, but also the highest “Sustainability Perception Value” of 544 million US dollars. However, this value does not show the airlines’ actual degree of sustainability, but rather how the perception of sustainability is in terms of brand equity.
However, many airlines have been repeatedly criticized for greenwashing. The EU obliges airlines to use sustainable fuels from 2025 at the latest.
In terms of most valuable airport brands, the European Paris Airport, Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and London,Heathrow Airport, dominate. Singapore Changi comes in 4th while Fraport makes it to the top group as the fifth most valuable airport brand.
See here the list of the ten most valuable airline brands in the world:
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Emirates
- Southwest Airlines
- Det sydlige Kina
- China Southern Airlines
- Air China
- Air Canada
- Qatar Airways
Also read about the 10 most punctual airlines internationally and in Europe.