19: Finding the World's Greatest Cities
Crafting a definitive ranking of the world’s top cities—and the debates it sparks.
180000Z NOV 24
Thank you for joining us for another issue of Flightlines.
In this edition, we are thrilled to launch an ambitious new project that has been months in the making. Today, we’ll preview what we believe will become one of our signature features: a definitive ranking of the world's greatest cities.
Why would an aviation publication embark on such a project? The answer is simple: the true hierarchy of global cities is best understood through the networks that connect them.
Through our coverage of airlines, airport developments, and route networks, we’ve observed how aviation infrastructure serves as a powerful indicator of a city's global influence.
When Singapore Airlines launches a new route, Dubai expands a terminal, or London defends its slot allocations, these are not just aviation stories—they are chapters in the broader narrative of how cities compete for prominence.
This week, we introduce our methodology and lay the groundwork for our inaugural rankings, which will be published quarterly. As always, we look forward to your feedback and the discussions to come.
Finding the World's Greatest Cities
What makes a city great?
The answer has evolved throughout history, but certain fundamentals remain constant: great cities are centers of commerce, culture, and most crucially—connectivity. Historically, the greatest cities had access to the seas or were strategically located as hubs of human activity. Their advantage lay in their ability to facilitate the movement of people and goods, enabling commerce to thrive.
Today, connectivity is largely defined by aviation. A city's air transport infrastructure is more than a measure of its logistical capabilities—it serves as a direct indicator of its economic power, cultural influence, and global significance. By analyzing a city's aviation metrics, we are effectively taking its pulse within the global system.
Measuring Greatness
Ranking the world's cities requires a framework that reflects both their current prominence and future potential. At its core, a truly great city must provide exceptional global connectivity. This goes beyond simply counting international routes. It involves understanding the significance behind a city’s connections. Our friends at Analytic Flying offer sharp analysis of this sort:
When Emirates links Dubai to a smaller Chinese city or United introduces a new route from San Francisco to Bangalore, these developments highlight shifting dynamics in global influence.
Aviation infrastructure plays a crucial role in defining a city's stature. The world's leading cities don’t merely build airports; they create transportation ecosystems. Singapore’s Changi and Seoul’s Incheon are more than just terminals—they are expressions of urban ambition, seamlessly integrated into their host cities.
The way a city designs, maintains, and evolves its aviation infrastructure speaks volumes about its global aspirations and capabilities. Edward Russell’s Airport Architecture explores these topics in depth:
Global connectivity and infrastructure are only part of the equation. The economic gravity of a city extends beyond its aviation profile. Financial markets, corporate headquarters, foreign investment, and innovation ecosystems will also be considered.
Tokyo’s massive GDP, New York’s financial markets, and Shenzhen’s manufacturing capabilities all play pivotal roles in shaping global economic flows. A city’s influence in global commerce can be seen in various forms—from startup funding rounds and trading volumes to patent filings and media reach.
Urban dynamism captures the living pulse of a city, encompassing cultural power, educational institutions, and quality of life. Paris’s museums, Los Angeles’s entertainment industry, and Seoul’s pop culture influence all contribute to their global significance. A truly great city is not only a hub of commerce but also a place where culture is both created and experienced.
A city’s trajectory may be its most critical dimension. Some cities are unmistakably on the rise—see Shanghai’s explosive growth or Dubai’s rapid transformation. Others reinvent themselves to sustain their prominence, such as London’s shift toward fintech or Singapore’s investment in biotech.
A Preview of The Leaders
In future editions, we’ll unveil our complete rankings. The inaugural list will be dominated by the world’s recognized power centers—London, New York, and Tokyo—whose positions are anchored by their economic strength, cultural influence, and global connectivity. However, our analysis will also highlight emerging challenges to this established hierarchy.
Istanbul’s new airport is cementing its role as a true global crossroads. Seoul’s influence extends well beyond Asia, driven by technological innovation and cultural exports. Meanwhile, San Francisco’s standing reveals the complex relationship between innovation and urban challenges, while Melbourne’s high ranking may surprise those who equate prominence solely with city size.
What’s next?
Beginning next quarter, we'll update our complete rankings of the world's greatest cities. This won't be a static list—we'll track movements and analyze the forces driving cities up or down the rankings. Each edition will focus on different aspects of urban success, from innovation to cultural influence, while following our evaluation framework.
We welcome debate—that’s the point. Rankings are meant to spark conversations about what defines a successful city and how cities can better support their residents while enhancing their global influence. Alongside our quarterly rankings, we’ll provide analysis of specific cities and explore trends in urban development and aviation infrastructure.
Our goal isn’t just to rank cities but to explore how they are evolving and what these changes mean for the future of aviation and global society. The first complete rankings will debut in our next edition. Until then, we invite readers to share their predictions and perspectives on which cities truly lead the world—and why. —✈
Let's explore this week's noteworthy events that are shaping the future of air travel.
Routes of note
The most significant new routes and service changes this week, offering insight into strategic expansions and market shifts.
🇯🇵 Tokyo (HND) – 🇹🇼 Kaohsiung (KHH) via United Airlines, July 2025
United Airlines will introduce a new route from Tokyo Haneda to Kaohsiung. This move marks an expansion into Taiwan's southern region, strengthening connections between Japan and Taiwan.🇴🇲 Muscat (MCT) – 🇸🇬 Singapore (SIN) via Oman Air, September 2025
This route restoration highlights Singapore's importance as a strategic hub for Oman's network and reflects increasing demand for connectivity between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.🇨🇦 Toronto (YYZ) – 🇶🇦 Doha (DOH) via Qatar Airways, December 2024
This new connection underscores Toronto's significance as a gateway for North American travelers heading to the Middle East and beyond.🇵🇭 Manila (MNL) – 🇨🇳 Shanghai (PVG) via Cebu Pacific, NS25
Cebu Pacific is tentatively planning to introduce A330neo service between Manila and Shanghai for the Northern Summer 2025 season. The airline is focused on expanding long-haul operations to key Chinese markets, potentially tapping into growing demand for travel and trade between the Philippines and China.🇮🇸 Reykjavik (KEF) – 🇹🇷 Istanbul (IST) via Icelandair, September 2025
Icelandair’s upcoming Reykjavik–Istanbul route represents a bold move into a market bridging Europe and the Middle East. The addition of Istanbul offers Icelandair customers new options for connections to Turkey and beyond, signaling the airline's strategy to diversify its European network.
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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!
Great teaser and "why" behind the project - well written and I appreciate the explanations of how the rankings are determined - and how it all ties in so closely with the aviation industry. Love the cross-listing of other Substackers and their articles too (insert woot emoji). Excited to see the first batch of results!
You are projecting an interesting series about ranking airports. Three comments: 1) in the 70’s you would refuel in Anchorage Alaska on the way to Japan and the far east. Everyone disembarked to buy souvenirs (?). It was a critical link. 2) We flew through London Heathrow flying back to the states from Paris. It was days before Covid shut down the world. All the waiting areas are centralized, not at gates. We were exposed to millions of potential Covid carriers. Did they TRY to kill us? 3). In 1972 I flew to Athens stopping in the Azores to refuel, and to Barcelona on the way home. The value of refueling stops back then.
Thanks for the Spirit chapter 11 warning. If you booked early with them, you could lose your payment and your seat!
Uncle Chip