UK-based brand valuation agency Brand Finance has released its 2025 global airline brand value ranking.
Despite years of financial losses, China’s three major state-owned airlines are rising in tandem, showing a clear upward trajectory:
* China Southern Airlines reached a brand value of USD 4.09 billion, up 47.9% year-on-year, climbing two spots to 7th place globally.
* China Eastern Airlines increased its brand value by 35.7% to USD 3.17 billion, securing 10th spot.
* Air China saw a 38.7% rise in brand value to USD 3.12 billion, advancing two ranks to 11th worldwide.
Surprisingly, highly praised carriers like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, both known for their excellent reputations and customer satisfaction, failed to break into the top 10.
Brand Finance has not disclosed the detailed methodology behind its valuation in the report.
Some industry insiders speculate that the rankings may place significant weight on factors such as market size and commercial potential.
From this perspective, given China’s status as the world’s second-largest aviation market, the strong showing of its homegrown carriers is less surprising.
