Outline
- Introduction
- Ranking and Classification Metrics
- Best Airlines for First-Class Flights
- Best Airlines for Business-Class Flights
- Other Assessment Criteria
- The 10 Best Airlines in the World
- Other Amazing Airlines (List of 10)
- Summary
- Conclusion
Introduction
Air travel is undoubtedly the largest means of international travel across the world today. With nearly 2 billion people taking to the skies for various travel needs and purposes, Airlines as organized business entities manage aircraft, flights and air travel services. They are the core and major facilitators that make air travel seamless today. Here are my 10 best Airlines in the world.
For all classes of travellers, many Airlines organise amazing travel packages that usually make comfort and overall general flight experiences pleasant and memorable.
Amidst the multitude of Airlines in the World today, I highlight in this post 10 of the best Airlines in the World based on the annual airline ranking by Skytrax.
This list is not definitive and the ranks change from time to time.
Ranking and Classification Metrics
There are several factors and criteria that can be considered in ranking the best Airlines in the World.
To get to the overall ranking of the best Airlines in the World, I will walk through a list of:
- The Best Airlines for First-class Flights
- Best Airlines for Business-Class Flights, and
- Briefly present some of the other ranking criteria
So, let’s get into it.
Best Airlines for First-Class Flights
Flying First Class is the apex of commercial air travel second only to Private Jet travel.
From the airport services, lounges, entertainment, onboarding, cabin design and features, and inflight services, First-Class flights speak of the highest level of luxury possible in a commercial aircraft.
First-class flights hence cabins are designed for private comfort, exclusivity and onboard opulence.
According to the latest rankings, the best Airlines in the World for First-Class flights are:
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Air France
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Lufthansa
- Japan Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- British Airways, and
- Korean Air
Best Airlines for Business Class Flights
While First-Class flights are designed for onboard luxury privacy and exclusivity, business-class flights are targeted at, as the name suggests, business people.
Business-class flights provide onboard comfort as well as features that facilitate on-the-go running of business activities during a flight.
Some Business Class cabins have custom designs that can accommodate two or more business people who can engage in meetings, presentations and even transactions during a flight.
Corporate executives, individual business operators, and famous personalities are some of the most common categories of people who fly business class. There are several other categories of people who do not belong to these three (3) that go with business class flights as long as they can afford it.
More legroom, a recliner seat and restaurant-level food are some of the common features of a typical business-class flight.
The 10 best airlines in the world to fly business class are [Source];
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Delta Airlines, and
- Virgin Atlantic
Other Assessment Criteria
The ranking and assessment of the best airlines in the world are based on specific airline operational and performance metrics. Five (5) of these metrics are;
1. Cabin Crew: The quality of the cabin crew can determine the overall experience of travellers on a flight. Nobody prays to be in the high skies with rude and terrifying cabin crews from New York to Singapore!
This makes Cabin crew assessment one of the critical criteria in evaluating and picking the best airlines in the world.
2. Inflight Entertainment: Many airlines provide some kind of audio-visual entertainment and even complimentary refreshments (foods) for all classes of passengers during a flight.
The quality of these inflight entertainments is also used as a criterion in ranking the best airlines.
3. Airport Services: A flight experience typically begins at the airport before you board. And, your experience at the airport most especially at a particular airline lounge can significantly influence your mood when you board.
Many airlines, therefore, put some kind of effort into making their passengers have a good pre-boarding experience.
4. Cabin Cleanliness: Imagine flying in a littered cabin with old worn-out interior designs – seats, flooring, decks, and roofing. You definitely don’t want to be on another “flight from hell” – I don’t!
While most airlines have up-to-date cabins and strive to make their cabins as clean as possible, they are not of the same quality. Cabin cleanliness is one of the ranking metrics of the best airlines in the world.
5. Overall Passenger Experience: The overall flight passenger’s experience is determined by a combination of two or more of the above metrics – the cabin crew, inflight entertainment, airport services and cabin cleanliness.
Haven highlighted the ranking criteria for the best airlines in the world, next, let’s see which airlines are the best in the world based on the above-presented criteria and more.
The 10 Best Airlines in the World
The list of the best airlines in the world released for the year 2022 includes airlines from different parts of the world.
From Europe to the Middle East and Asia, the 10 best airlines in the world are highlighted as follows.
1. Qatar Airways
Based in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, Qatar Airways is a renowned global airline and serves as the national carrier for the State of Qatar. The Airline provides flights to over 160 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Qatar Airways has been proclaimed as the Best Airline in the World seven (7) times between 2011 and 2022.
Qatar Airways currently has the best business class suite in the world.
Year Founded: 22 November 1993
Headquarters: Qatar Airways Tower, Doha, Qatar
Hub: Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH/OTHH)
Total Fleet: 237 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines has been accorded the best airline in the world by Skytrax four times and the Airline has also garnered awards from other reputable air travel award-giving organizations across the world. The Airline is the best airline in the world to fly first-class and is ranked second among the best airlines for business-class flights.
Singapore Airlines is mostly notable for its portrayer of the Singapore Girl as the core and main figure in its global publicities.
The Airline provides flights to 75 destinations in 32 countries across five continents [Source].
Headquarters: Airline House, Singapore
Year Founded: 1 May 1947 (as Malayan Airways)
Hub: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS)
Total Fleet: 147 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
Emirates is a Dubai-based award-winning international airline that prides itself on cultural diversity and, modern, comfortable and efficient aircraft amidst world-class air travel services. The Airlines fly to over 150 destinations (152) across the world [Source]. And between 2021 and 2022, Emirates recorded 19 million total flight passengers.
Emirates is one of the two flagship carriers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The other carrier is Etihad which is also a renowned international airline.
Year Founded: 25 March 1985
Headquarters: Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Hub: Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB)
Total Fleet: 262 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Emirates
4. ANA All Nippon Airways
ANA All Nippon Airways is a Tokyo-based airline providing flights to both domestic and international destinations. ANA is the largest airline in Japan.
The ANA All Nippon Airways as a member of the Star Alliance provides operation services to 32 international destinations in Asia, Europe, and North America in addition to approximately 50 destinations within Japan [Source].
ANA All Nippon Airways is one of the notable SkyTrax 5-star airlines in Japan.
If you will be visiting Japan, it is always good to experience the ANA All Nippon Airways at least once.
Year Founded: 27 December 1952
Headquarters: Shiodome-City Center, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Hubs: Haneda Airport – Officially Tokyo International Airport (HND/RJTT); and Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT/RJAA)
Total Fleet: 212 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: ANA All Nippon Airways
5. Qantas Airways
Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia as well as the country’s largest airline. Originally named Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, Qantas has over the years built a reputation for excellence in safety, operational reliability, engineering and maintenance, and customer service. The airline is world-famous for its slogan: “Spirit of Australia”.
In January 2023, Qantas was proclaimed as the “World’s Safest Airline” for the year[Source].
Year Founded: 16 November 1920
Headquarters: Mascot, New South Wales, Australia
Hubs: Sydney Airport (SYD/YSSY); Melbourne Airport (MEL/YMML); and Brisbane Airport (BNE/YBBN)
Total Fleet: 124 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Qantas Airways
6. Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines is the flag carrier and largest airline in Japan. The airline provides flight services to over 90 destinations in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Oceania. The Airline aspires to provide an elevated travel experience that heightens the senses and it aims to become the most preferred airline in the world.
Japan Airlines is an official SkyTrax 5-Star Airline.
Year Founded: 1 August 1951
Headquarters: Shinagawa City, Tokyo, Japan
Hubs: Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT/RJAA); and Haneda Airport – Officially Tokyo International Airport (HND/RJTT)
Total Fleet: 148 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Japan Airlines
7. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airline is the national flag carrier of Turkey (the Republic of Turkiye). The Airline, a member of the Star Alliance, flies to over 320 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Turkish Airlines is the largest mainland air carrier in the world by the total number of passenger destinations[Source].
The Airlines often take pride in saying: “We fly to more countries than any other airline in the world”. Turkish Airlines conduct flights to more than 120 countries!
Year Founded: 20 May 1933
Headquarters: Ataturk Airport, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, Turkiye (Turkey)
Hub: Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM)
Total Fleet: 400 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Turkish Airlines
8. Air France
A founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance and the flag carrier of France, Air France provides flight services to 29 intra-France destinations and more than 200 international destinations in 94 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands).
Asides from intra-France and international flights, Air France is also the major French airline to fifteen (15) overseas departments and territories of France including Reunion, New Caledonia, Corsica and French Polynesia among others.
Year Founded: 7 October 1933
Headquarters: Tremblay-en-France, France
Hubs: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG) and Paris Orly Airport (ORY/LFPO)
Total Fleet: 210 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Air France
9. Korean Air
Based on the fleet size, international destinations and international flights, Korean Air, the national carrier of South Korea, is also the largest airline in the country.
Korean Air is one of the SkyTrax 5-Star airlines. The airline is among the top 20 airlines in the world with respect to the total number of flight passengers carried.
Providing flight services to over 120 destinations in 45 countries on six (6) inhabited continents, Korean Air is the most prominent airline in South Korea.
Korean Air strives to “develop new markets and improve customer service through continuous changes and investments”.
Year Founded: June 1962
Headquarters: Gonghang-dong, Seoul, Korea
Hubs: Gimpo International Airport (GMP/RKSS) and Incheon International Airport (ICN/RKSI)
Total Fleet: 164 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Korean Air
10. Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
SWISS as it is colloquially called, the Swiss International Air Lines is the official national airline of Switzerland. The airline operates flight services from its hub in Zurich and Geneva to over 100 destinations in 50 countries across the world.
Swiss International Air Lines represents Switzerland’s traditional values and is committed to providing top-quality products and services.
SWISS is a member of the Star Alliance, the largest network of airlines in the world. The airline is also a member of the Lufthansa Group.
Year Founded: 31 March 2002
Headquarters: EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, near Basel, Switzerland
Hub: Zurich Airport (ZRH/LSZH)
Total Fleet: 85 Aircraft [Source]
Official Website: Swiss International Air Lines
Other Amazing Airlines (List of 10)
Since the list of the top airlines in the world is not fixed, airlines toggle positions within the ranks from time to time. Several operational factors can affect the ranking of any airline within a very short period.
Therefore, to expand the scope of this post a little bit and especially to satisfy the potential “airline-shopping” desire of various users, I include in this section a list of 10 other amazing airlines in the world.
All the airlines included in this list have been in the top 25 best airlines list for the past two (2) years.
These other amazing airlines are;
- Lufthansa
- British Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Delta Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- China Southern Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and
- EVA Air
Summary
In this post, I presented the 10 best airlines in the world.
Considering which airlines are the best for first-class and business-class flights as well as using metrics such as quality of cabin crew, inflight entertainment, airport services, cabin cleanliness, and overall passenger experience, the 10 best airlines in the world are;
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Air France
- Korean Air, and
- Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
Conclusion
Air travel, and consequentially Airline services is an essential and indispensable part of international travel today.
Though there are other means of human transportation, air travel is by far the fastest, has the highest number of reach (destinations) and records the largest number of passengers (up to 2 billion every year).
Reaching all human-inhabited destinations across the world, this post presented the 10 best airlines in the World.
While Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Swiss International Air Lines are the best airlines in the world to fly first-class, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and ANA All Nippon Airways take the top three (3) spots for the best airlines for business-class flights.
The list and ranking of best airlines in the world are not fixed or a one-time thing. The position and ranks of airlines change from time to time.
Quality of the Cabin Crew, Inflight entertainment, Airport Services, Cleanliness of the Cabin, and Overall Passenger’s Experience are some of the factors that can influence the position of an airline in a global ranking.
Overall, Qatar Airways is the best airline in the world. This is followed by Singapore Airlines, Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways and Qantas Airways in numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively.
Since air travel is the largest and most common means of international travel today, this post presents an insightful highlight of the top players (airlines) in the world’s air travel industry.
This highlight I believe would be of informational value to you and potentially help you decide on the best airline for your next travel endeavour.
Credits: The data and rankings used to develop this post are based on Skytrax’s annual ranking of airlines across the world. The author hereby acknowledges Skytrax as the sole and original (proprietary) owner of the primary data (rankings) featured in this post. Other relevant sources are appropriately cited throughout the post. Images are from Pixabay and Unsplash.
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Tyrone, thanks a lot for your positive comment. It means a lot to me.