What are the 10 best airlines in the World? Air travel is surely the best way to cover large distances in the shortest amount of time, yet the services offered by different airlines vary considerably. Although the actual time spent on an aircraft to get from point A to B is relatively the same, regardless of which company one chooses, not all airlines satisfy customers evenly.
Unlike what we have seen in our coverage of the 9 most expensive airline tickets you could ever buy, the following airlines have a lot more to offer. According to the 2014 World Airline Awards presented by Skytrax, the 10 best airlines in the world are determined by passenger satisfaction and not by ticket prices.
The survey conducted by Skytrax is quite unique, taking into account all cabin travel types (from economy to first class), and covers low-cost airlines, as well as their full-service counterparts. Out of a total of 245 airlines, we now present you the 10 best airlines in the world.
10. Best Airline in the World: Lufthansa
In 2014 the German flag carrier Lufthansa has finally made the top 10. The firm excels in the first class categories, ranking 6th amongst its peers in the luxury category, while offering the second-best first class lounges.
lufthansa plane
9. Best Airline in the World: Etihad Airways
Travelling to 96 destinations, the flag carrier of the Arab Emirates has recently dropped from 7th place in 2013, to 9th place in 2014. Nevertheless, the airline offers great service, with noise-reduction headphones for passengers, as well as special mood lighting in cabins.
8. Best Airline in the World: Asiana Airlines
The runner-up in 2012 is now ranked 8th amongst its peers, in what is clearly a steady decline in passenger satisfaction. The major South Korean airline Asiana is still dealing with the controversy surrounding the crash of one of its Boeing 777s in San Francisco last year.
7. Best Airline in the World: Garuda Indonesia
Garuda offers a different story. In fact, the Indonesian flag carrier has renewed its fleet and improved its service so much, that the airline which was deemed unsafe to fly by the European Union in 2007-2009 is now in the top 10 worldwide.
6. ANA All Nippon Airways
Apart from being the largest Japanese international carrier, ANA All Nippon Airways is a specialist when it comes to first class service, ranking second in this category. Slide-forward-style reclining seats, along with USB and power outlets in all cabin categories, allow passengers to feel quite at home.
5. Turkish Airlines
After winning Skytrax’s award for best airline in Europe three years in a row, the Turkish flag carrier has made the top 5. While not offering particular luxuries, the business and economy class expert offers passengers flights to over 100 countries and 200 different cities.
4. Best Airline in the World: Emirates
The premier long-haul carrier dropped from first place in 2013, yet it continues to own the largest Airbus A380 super jumbo, and Boeing 777, fleet worldwide. In addition, Skytrax determined that Emirates offers passengers the best in-flight entertainment system amongst its peers.
3. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is not only considered the best first class airline in the world, but also scores high in the in-flight entertainment, cabin crew, and business class categories. Great customer service even extends to the economy class, thus boosting passenger satisfaction.
2. Best Airline in the World: Qatar Airways
Despite expanding its services to an additional 50 destinations worldwide, Qatar Airways has not suffered a decline in passenger satisfaction. In fact, it has consistently ranked in the top 3 for years, thanks to its superb cabin crew and in-flight entertainment systems.
1. Cathay Pacific Airways
Although Cathay Pacific did not outperform in any category, it still managed to climb the ranks from 6th place in 2013 to first in 2014. Cathay ranked second in terms of cabin crew service, while scoring high in the in-flight entertainment and first class categories.
