The ranking not only evaluates the operational strength of Lisbon airport but also its geographical position and connections with other continents.
The Humberto Delgado Airport is the main gateway to Portugal, but it also serves as a hub for connecting flights between Europe and other continents, particularly for transatlantic flights to Lusophone countries like Brazil.
Located only seven kilometres from the city centre, Lisbon Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1, the main terminal, and Terminal 2, dedicated to low-cost airlines.
The ranking highlights the possibility of a connection between Lisbon and other markets such as Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, given the city's role as an important hub for connecting continents.
Number of passengers
Regarding passenger numbers, Lisbon Airport has seen an increase since Covid-19, with a pre-pandemic peak in 2019 of approximately 31 million passengers, compared to preliminary results for 2024 of more than 34 million.
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Think you made something wrong. Please I know many European Airports and be sure Lisbon is one of the worst
By Thomas from Lisbon on 18 Feb 2026, 18:45
How can anyone think this is credible, please read the news for the past 12 months and the utter disgreard for cusotmers and human beings alike. Constant 4 hour+ wait times for families and thousands of missed flights due to wait times for example. I bet NO customers were involved in this and it just goes to prove yet again that statistics and the any award system are generally unfounded nowadays.
By Lindsay McCaughey from Algarve on 19 Feb 2026, 08:18
LIS has to be one of the worst laid out airports I have been to - a rabbit warren! Just navigating the roadways getting there is something else, and once there the fun really begins! Finding what baggage lane to use, security is not bad, Border Control is a hell of a mess to put it politely. No where near enough gates for operations, yeah - this article is a fluff piece will no grounding in reality.
By Mark from Lisbon on 19 Feb 2026, 10:07
It may be a busy airport but the signage leaves much to be desired. Every time I use this airport I am invariably lost with no one to help.
By Pauline Granger from Algarve on 19 Feb 2026, 10:32
This must be a joke, Lisbon airport is one of the worst airports in the world ,I have seen another survey that states that Lisbon airport is number 7 from the bottom , and that seems more accurate
By Ulf Olsson from Other on 19 Feb 2026, 10:43
One of the best in Europe? Is this a sick joke? Perhaps they never had the joy of standing in line for several hours at immigration!
By Rob Good from Alentejo on 19 Feb 2026, 12:23
I totally agree with the above comment!! The people that rate airports must be from a 3rd world country and obviously have not travelled the world to come up with such a ridiculous rating for Lisbon airport.
By Josephine Ejlersen from Lisbon on 19 Feb 2026, 13:10
What an absolute joke. I have traveled throughout four continents and LIS is easily the worst run airport I’ve ever had the displeasure of using. Facilities are woeful, staff are apathetic and it’s well past its usefulness.
By Evan from Lisbon on 19 Feb 2026, 14:19
Your article doesn’t say much for all the other European airports. Lisbon as well as Paris have to be some of the worst in the world .
By Patricia & Tim littlewood from Alentejo on 19 Feb 2026, 15:35
I often think these surveys are completeby a majority of native Portuguese because nobody thinks that in the rest ofEurope, thats for sure. It's one of the worst airports in Europe, that's certain.
By Tony Henriques from Lisbon on 19 Feb 2026, 17:47
Mr Santos, whatever you are smoking, can I get some?
By Raz Rahim from Lisbon on 19 Feb 2026, 21:27
Over a period of more than 55 years, I've both visited and lived in Portugal. I have family there. Never once, in all the times I've had no choice but to fly in and out of Lisbon, could I ever say that the airport was anything more than atrocious. The last time I had the misfortune to visit, in October of 2025, nothing had improved and in fact it had only got worse. Much worse. Whoever compiled this list is either taking the piss or has never flown in or out of an actual European airport. Ever.
By Tina Steele from USA on 20 Feb 2026, 04:41
TAP agents slowness checking in my dog as o/sized luggage at Lisbon airport led to my missing my flight, and almost mosing my dog at the same time. And that same day, trying to find my dog, I met two Swedish ladies traveling with three dogs, to whom the same thing happened. AND on my subsequent flight, the next day, the same thing almost happened again! Only because one TAP employee used personal time and contacts to expedite my dog through procedures, did we make our flight. I will NEVER fly with TAP again, period.
By Guenady from Other on 20 Feb 2026, 07:19
There were no other competitors?
By Karl from Lisbon on 20 Feb 2026, 07:25
Who made the list and ranked Lisbon 5th clearly has not travelled enough or has just been to 5 airports.
By Mita from Lisbon on 20 Feb 2026, 16:37
Just flew TAP arrival LIS 07/01/26
TAP departure LIS 29/01/26
Had a great experience at this airport.
By Will Woods from Other on 24 Feb 2026, 23:22