Emirates vs Ryanair:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ryanair had more branded searches than Emirates among airlines in the United Kingdom. Ryanair had about 1.8 million branded searches, while Emirates had 368,000. Ryanair made up 22.3% of all airline searches we track, and Emirates accounted for 4.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about airlines, Ryanair appeared in four of the five answers and Emirates in two. Ryanair was mentioned before Emirates in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Ryanair, about 5 searches for every 1 for Emirates
Who does AI mention more?
Ryanair, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Emirates in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Ryanair, named ahead of Emirates 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. Emirates 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 Emirates 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.
Share of searches by month for Ryanair, Emirates. 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 Emirates and Ryanair comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ryanair was ahead of Emirates in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Emirates’ share of searches among airlines in the United Kingdom moved from 5.3% to 4.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 368K.
- 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
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Emirates’ 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.
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