24: Flightlines Global 100 - The World’s Greatest Cities
Proudly presenting our first complete rankings of the greatest cities in the world.
300400Z DEC 24
Hello, and welcome to Flightlines.
Solemn news to report this week. A Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Airlines in South Korea attempted an emergency belly landing after its landing gear failed to deploy due to a hydraulic failure caused by a bird strike on approach. Tragically, the aircraft was unable to decelerate sufficiently, overran the runway, and crashed into the field’s localizer antenna. Out of 181 passengers and crew, only two survived, with 179 lives lost.
Earlier this week, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 was downed, reportedly by Russian anti-aircraft fire. Despite heroic efforts by the pilots to control the disabled aircraft using only engine throttles, they could not avoid a crash near Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan. Of the 67 people onboard, 38 perished, including both pilots and a flight attendant, while 29 survivors sustained injuries.
These events remind us of the inherent risks of air travel and the razor-thin margin for error that aviation professionals navigate every day. They are also a testament to the heroism, courage, and dedication displayed by flight crews in the most dire situations. While flying remains extraordinarily safe for the vast majority of passengers, these tragedies remind us of the shared responsibility among all participants in aviation—airline employees, regulatory bodies, and even passengers.
Passengers can play a vital role. Acting professionally, courteously, and attentively during flight can make all the difference in an emergency. Wearing seatbelts, following crew instructions, and remaining calm under stress are critical. Consider Japan Airlines Flight 516 as an example. After a collision with a Dash 8 on the runway, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members were safely evacuated before the JAL A350 was consumed by flames. Witnesses praised the orderly evacuation, with no one attempting to retrieve luggage, a display of collective discipline and regard for safety.
With the release this edition, I extend prayers to the victims of this week’s tragedies—their families, the survivors, and all who have been affected. May these events inspire renewed commitment to excellence and integrity at every level of aviation, ensuring the highest standards of safety and preparedness.
This week, alongside these reflections, I am honored to share the full Flightlines Global 100, our definitive ranking of the world’s greatest cities.
We introduced the project in Flightlines 19:
And previewed the Top 25 in Flightlines 20:
This list celebrates connectivity, culture, and innovation, offering a unique perspective on the urban hubs that make up our global network.
Flightlines Global 100 - The World’s Greatest Cities
In this milestone edition of Flightlines, we are proud to unveil our first complete ranking of the 100 greatest cities in the world, just in time for 2025. This effort, rooted in months of research and debate, reflects a unique perspective—an aviation-centric lens that emphasizes global connectivity.
Why do cities matter so much to Flightlines? Because aviation is the thread that ties these metropolises together, creating the fabric of the modern global network. Cities are hubs of commerce, culture, and innovation. They flourish based on their ability to connect people, goods, and ideas. By studying these connections, we gain a deeper understanding of global influence and the forces shaping our future.
The rankings are guided by four tenets:
Global Connectivity: Evaluating a city's aviation infrastructure, including passenger volumes, cargo traffic, and the breadth and significance of its route network.
Economic Influence: Measuring GDP, corporate headquarters, financial markets, and investments to understand a city's economic gravity.
Cultural Dynamism: Assessing cultural exports, education, quality of life, and urban vibrancy.
Trajectory: Growth potential and the ability to adapt and innovate in a changing world.
Each city’s performance across these categories determines its overall score and position on the list.
Without further adieu…
Flightlines Global 100
1. New York City
2. London
3. Tokyo
4. Paris
5. Dubai
6. Singapore
7. Hong Kong
8. Beijing
9. Seoul
10. Shanghai
11. Los Angeles
12. Istanbul
13. Chicago
14. Bangkok
15. Washington, D.C.
16. Guangzhou
17. Delhi
18. Miami
19. Moscow
20. Jakarta
21. Sao Paulo
22. San Francisco
23. Houston
24. Mexico City
25. Rome
26. Frankfurt
27. Madrid
28. Mumbai
29. Shenzhen
30. Cairo
31. Manila
32. Buenos Aires
33. Lagos
34. Rio de Janeiro
35. Karachi
36. Berlin
37. Dhaka
38. Johannesburg
39. Toronto
40. Barcelona
41. Lima
42. Sydney
43. Tehran
44. Santiago
45. Hanoi
46. Bangalore
47. Chennai
48. Boston
49. Bogota
50. Brussels
51. Athens
52. Vienna
53. Cape Town
54. Milan
55. Kinshasa
56. Nairobi
57. Amsterdam
58. Stockholm
59. Lisbon
60. Montreal
61. Dublin
62. Ankara
63. Copenhagen
64. Prague
65. Dongguan
66. Geneva
67. Foshan
68. Helsinki
69. Nanyang
70. Warsaw
71. Casablanca
72. Auckland
73. Dar es Salaam
74. Doha
75. Abu Dhabi
76. Addis Ababa
77. Brasilia
78. Abuja
79. Beirut
80. Bucharest
81. Baghdad
82. Belgrade
83. Colombo
84. Caracas
85. Damascus
86. Havana
87. Kolkata
88. Ho Chi Minh City
89. Osaka
90. Chengdu
91. Xi’an
92. Lahore
93. Chongqing
94. Baoding
95. Linyi
96. Hyderabad
97. Tianjin
98. Wuhan
99. Hangzhou
100. Nagoya
Our rankings prioritize connectivity—not just the physical movement of people and goods but also economic and cultural ties. In this approach, smaller cities like Dubai and Singapore can outrank population centers like Delhi and Jakarta due to their strategic investments in aviation and urban infrastructure.
As cities evolve, so too will our rankings. To track these changes effectively, we are introducing a versioning system:
Version 2025.1: This initial release, marking the inaugural rankings for the year 2025.
Future Updates: Subsequent updates will include quarterly revisions (e.g., 2025.2, 2025.3) to reflect shifts in connectivity, economic influence, and urban development.
This approach ensures that our rankings remain relevant, capturing the momentum of emerging cities and the resilience of established ones.
Which cities surprised you?
Do you think we’ve missed something?
Let us know—your thoughts will help shape future editions of this project. And, Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2025. —✈
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Thank you for reading.
Flightlines will be back next week with more insights and updates from the world of commercial aviation.
Until then, safe travels and happy flying!
Another great report. I have not read any news reports with the clarity of the two crashes- great journalism!
I have never done much flying recently. The only airport I continue to complain about is Heathrow. The waiting areas are not at the gates. The chairs are in the large shops area. During COVID we were forced to sit with thousands of germ infested people until our flight was ready. What an idiotic plan!
Enjoyed this week’s article - and thank you for your thoughts about shared responsibilities in aviation. With regard to the city rankings, I was surprised to see Havana on the list - although I will admit my thinking about Havana may be very outdated.