British Airways vs Ryanair:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, British Airways and Ryanair were level in searches among airlines in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 1.8M branded searches each, at 22.3% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about airlines, Ryanair appeared in four of the five answers and British Airways in two. Ryanair was mentioned before British Airways in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
British Airways and Ryanair are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Ryanair, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, British Airways in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Ryanair, named ahead of British Airways in 3 of 5 answers
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Top airlines in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ryanair was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. British Airways was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Ryanair was listed before British Airways in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Ryanair1st
easyJet2nd
Jet23rd
Emirates4th
Virgin Atlantic5th
British Airways6th
Wizz Air7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- easyJet4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ryanair4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Jet23 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- British Airways2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Virgin Atlantic2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Emirates2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Wizz Air1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about airlines
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which airline should I fly with from the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best airlines in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best low cost airline for flights from the UK to Europe?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“flights”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheap flights”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is British Airways or Ryanair more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for British Airways and Ryanair by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven airlines we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for British Airways, Ryanair. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | easyJet | British Airways | Ryanair | Jet2 | Virgin Atlantic | Emirates | Wizz Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.2% | 21.4% | 26.2% | 10.2% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 5.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 24% | 24% | 24% | 11.5% | 4.8% | 5.9% | 5.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 25.9% | 25.9% | 21.2% | 10.1% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 28% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 11.4% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.2% | 19.5% | 23.9% | 12% | 4.8% | 5.9% | 4.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 25.9% | 21.2% | 25.9% | 10.6% | 4.3% | 7.8% | 4.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 29.4% | 19.6% | 24% | 13.4% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 4.8% |
| May 2026 | 29.2% | 19.5% | 23.8% | 13.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 5.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.5% | 20.8% | 25.5% | 14.8% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 28.8% | 19.2% | 23.5% | 16% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 29.8% | 19.9% | 19.9% | 16.6% | 4.9% | 4% | 4.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 27.3% | 22.3% | 22.3% | 13.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 4.5% |
How has the British Airways and Ryanair comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: British Airways took it in December 2025, Ryanair took it in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, British Airways’ share of searches among airlines in the United Kingdom moved from 21.4% to 22.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.8M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ryanair’s share of searches among airlines in the United Kingdom moved from 26.2% to 22.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2M to 1.8M.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom airlines in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, British Airways gained share of searches among airlines in the United Kingdom, from 19.9% to 22.3%.
In September 2026, Ryanair gained share of searches among airlines in the United Kingdom, from 19.9% to 22.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using British Airways’ and Ryanair’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
British Airways
1 branded search term
- british airways
Ryanair
1 branded search term
- ryanair
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