Top 10 Airlines in the World: 2024 Edition
According to the 2024 Skytrax rankings, Qatar Airways has been named the World’s Best Airline for the eighth time in its 25-year history of the prestigious awards, often referred to as the Oscars of commercial aviation. This accolade highlights the exceptional quality of service provided by Qatar Airways’ modern fleet. Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted celebrated this milestone, noting the airline’s impressive track record and dedication to passenger satisfaction. The award ceremony took place at a manor house near London’s Heathrow Airport, gathering industry leaders and cabin crew to honor the achievements.
Qatar Airways has earned this top spot several times over the years, including in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and now 2024. The Middle Eastern carrier has not only strengthened its reputation but has also contributed to the prominence of Hamad International Airport, which has become a key global aviation hub competing with rivals like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways operates a diverse fleet of 230 aircraft, including Airbus A380 superjumbos and various Boeing and Airbus models.
Skytrax’s voting process for 2024 involved feedback from over 21 million customers across 100 countries, making it one of the closest contests in the awards’ history. Singapore Airlines, last year’s winner, came in second, while Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, Air France, and Swiss International Airlines rounded out the top 10. Notably, North American airlines did not feature in the top ten.
Several airlines received additional honors: Singapore Airlines won Best Cabin Staff, Best First Class Service, and Best Airline in Asia. ANA was recognized for World’s Best Airport Services and Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline. In the low-cost sector, AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, a title it has held every year since 2010. Scoot, another Singaporean airline, earned the Best Long Haul-Low Cost Airline award.
In regional categories, Bangkok Airways was celebrated as the World’s Best Regional Airline for the eighth consecutive year. Vistara was recognized as the best carrier in India/South Asia, and Fiji Airways was awarded Best Airline in the Australia/Pacific region. Ethiopian Airlines maintained its title as Africa’s best, Turkish Airlines was named Europe’s top airline, and airBaltic emerged as the leading airline in Eastern Europe. Hainan Airlines was recognized as the best in China, and Delta Air Lines was honored as North America’s Best Airline.
The cleanest airlines list, influenced by heightened germ awareness post-COVID, was led by Cathay Pacific, followed by ANA, EVA Air, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Top 20 Airlines of 2024:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- EVA Air
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Korean Air
- Hainan Airlines
- British Airways
- Fiji Airways
- Iberia
- Vistara
- Virgin Atlantic
- Lufthansa
- Etihad Airways
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
Qatar Airways: An Overview (World No 1 Airline)
Qatar Airways, the flag carrier of Qatar, has won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ title an unprecedented eight times, reflecting its commitment to excellence. The airline also earned accolades for ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge,’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East.’ Known for its innovation, Qatar Airways was recently recognized for having the ‘World’s Best Airline Website.’
As a leader in environmental sustainability, Qatar Airways was the first Middle Eastern airline to achieve the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) certification and is dedicated to preventing illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.
Operating from its Doha hub at Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways connects over 170 global destinations. The airline boasts a fleet of more than 200 aircraft and employs over 43,000 people. Since joining the Oneworld alliance in 2013, Qatar Airways has been synonymous with superior service and cutting-edge technology.
Cabin Types
Qatar Airways offers a range of seating options including economy class, business class, and first class on different types of aircraft. Economy class provides standard seat widths and pitches, with better meals and service on long-haul flights.
In summary, Qatar Airways remains at the forefront of global aviation, offering top-notch service and maintaining its position as a leading airline in the world.
2. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines (SIA or SQ) is Singapore’s national airline, with its main hub at Changi Airport. As a member of the Star Alliance, the airline is famous for its iconic Singapore Girl logo and consistent livery design. Recognized globally as one of the top airlines, it has been awarded a 5-star rating and has been named the world’s best airline by Skytrax five times. The airline’s fleet includes a range of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, such as the A350, A380, Boeing 737, 747 Freighter, 777, and 787.
Singapore Airlines operates more than 20 subsidiaries, including SIA Engineering Company, which handles maintenance across nine countries and partners with Boeing and Rolls-Royce. Singapore Airlines Cargo manages the freighter fleet and cargo space in passenger aircraft, while Scoot, a low-cost carrier, is also part of the group.
Notably, Singapore Airlines was the first to introduce the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-10 and operates the ultra-long-range version of the Airbus A350-900. It is ranked among the top 15 airlines worldwide for revenue passenger kilometers and tenth for international passengers carried. In 2019, the airline won accolades for the World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew and was ranked as the World’s Cleanest Airline. In 2023, it again earned the title of Best Airline and Best First Class Airline from Skytrax.
The airline features a predominantly widebody fleet, including Boeing 747-400F and 777F freighters, with 160 aircraft in total, comprising 148 passenger planes and 12 freighters.
Cabins and Catering
Singapore Airlines provides five service classes: Suites, First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. First-class passengers enjoy gourmet meals like Kyo-Kaiseki and Shi Quan Shi Mei, with “Book the Cook” service available for advanced meal selection. The Popular Local Fare program offers local dishes like Teochew porridge and Hainanese chicken rice on select flights.
The airline’s in-flight entertainment, KrisWorld, debuted in 1997 and continues to enhance the passenger experience with a range of entertainment options.
3. Emirates
Emirates, based in Dubai, is one of the two flag carriers of the UAE, alongside Etihad Airways. It operates as part of The Emirates Group, owned by Dubai’s Investment Corporation. The largest airline in the Middle East, Emirates runs over 3,600 flights per week from its hub at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, serving more than 150 cities across 80 countries with a fleet of nearly 300 aircraft. Emirates SkyCargo handles the airline’s cargo operations.
Founded on March 15, 1985, with initial support from Dubai’s royal family and aircraft from Pakistan International Airlines, Emirates has grown rapidly. It moved all operations to Dubai International’s Terminal 3 in 2008.
Emirates boasts the largest fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft globally. As of August 2024, it operates 123 Airbus A380s and 133 Boeing 777s, serving over 3,000 flights weekly to 137 destinations.
Cabins
First Class: Emirates offers two types of suites: fully enclosed with floor-to-ceiling doors and partially enclosed suites. First-class cabins feature minibars, personal entertainment screens, and beds that convert into fully flat beds. The Airbus A380 includes private suites, showers, and a bar area.
Business Class: Features lie-flat beds, personal minibars on A380s, and access to an on-board bar.
Premium Economy: Launched in December 2020, it includes Recaro PL3530 seats with up to 40-inch pitch and 8-inch recline, available on select Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
Economy Class: Provides adjustable headrests, a 3000-channel entertainment system, and laptop power outlets.
Catering and Entertainment
Emirates’ catering is managed by Emirates Flight Catering, one of the largest facilities of its kind. Meals adhere to Halal guidelines and special dietary requirements. In 2018, Emirates invested in a hydroponic farm to supply fresh produce.
The ICE (Information, Communication, Entertainment) system offers a vast selection of channels and was first introduced in 2003, featuring high-definition screens and a comprehensive entertainment library.
4. ANA All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan’s largest airline, headquartered in Tokyo. As of April 2023, it employs around 12,800 people and joined the Star Alliance in 1999. ANA oversees several subsidiaries, including regional airlines and the low-cost carrier Peach.
The airline operates a vast network covering all of Japan and international destinations across Asia, North America, and Europe. Narita International Airport is its primary hub, although Haneda is also becoming increasingly significant.
ANA’s fleet includes around 157 aircraft ranging from Airbus A320neo to Boeing 737. The “Inspiration of Japan” cabin, introduced in 2009, features fully lie-flat business seats, nearly enclosed first-class suites, and advanced in-flight entertainment. New lounges and check-in areas were added to enhance passenger experience.
ANA also introduced women-only lavatories on international flights in February 2010 and provides bidets in both economy and business class lavatories on its Boeing 787s.
The airline’s inflight magazine, Wingspan, is available on board and as an iPad app called Virtual Airport, which offers additional features like booking and check-in options.
5. Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flagship airline of Hong Kong, with its central operations based at Hong Kong International Airport. This airline, along with its subsidiaries, offers both passenger and cargo services to over 190 destinations in more than 60 countries globally. Its fleet includes Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330, Airbus A350, and Boeing 777 aircraft, while its cargo division operates Boeing 747 freighters.
Previously, Cathay Dragon, a subsidiary that ceased operations in 2020, flew to 44 destinations across Asia-Pacific. In 2010, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo, along with Cathay Dragon, handled almost 27 million passengers and over 1.8 million tons of cargo and mail.
Founded on September 24, 1946, by Australians Sydney H. de Kantzow and American Roy C. Farrell, Cathay Pacific marked its 70th anniversary in 2016. As of March 2024, the primary shareholders include Swire Pacific (45%), Air China (30%), and Qatar Airways (9.9%). Cathay Pacific is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance and has been recognized as the world’s best airline four times by Skytrax. In 2018, it was the 19th-largest airline group by traffic and continues to be listed among the top eight global airlines as of 2023.
Fleet
Cathay Pacific operates a diverse fleet of Airbus narrow-body and Boeing wide-body aircraft. Its cargo unit, Cathay Cargo, also uses Boeing 747 freighters, including the 747-400 and 747-8 models.
Destinations
Cathay Pacific flies to 83 destinations in 46 countries across five continents, with a strong network in Asia. It connects major cities in North America and Europe through partnerships with Oneworld members like American Airlines and British Airways. Additionally, it serves ten cities in France via a codeshare with French national rail operator, SNCF.
In-flight Entertainment
The StudioCX entertainment system, first introduced in 2012, is available on older A330s and offers movies, TV shows, music, and games. In 2016, a new version of StudioCX was launched with upgraded features, including 4K resolution on A321s, live TV, and an enhanced moving map. The system continued to evolve, adding more content and functionality.
Catering
Complimentary food and drinks are provided on all flights. Long-haul flights typically offer two hot meals and free alcoholic beverages. Catering services for flights from Hong Kong are handled by Cathay Pacific Catering Services (CPCS). Other locations like Toronto, Vancouver, and Ho Chi Minh City have joint ventures providing similar services.
Cabin Classes
Cathay Pacific offers First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class, ensuring a range of options for travelers.
6. Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL), headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is Japan’s national airline. It operates from Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, and Osaka’s Kansai and Itami airports. The JAL Group includes J-Air, Japan Air Commuter, Japan Transocean Air, Hokkaido Air System, and Ryukyu Air Commuter for domestic services, and JAL Cargo for cargo and mail.
JAL provides passenger and cargo services to 220 destinations across 35 countries. The airline’s fleet consists of 279 aircraft. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, the group transported over 52 million passengers and 1.1 million tons of cargo. JAL, along with its subsidiaries, is a member of the Oneworld alliance.
Established in 1951 and nationalized in 1953, JAL became fully privatized in 1987. It merged with Japan Air System (JAS) in 2002, becoming the sixth-largest airline globally by passengers. JAL is also a sponsor for Shimizu S-Pulse and Consadole Sapporo.
Destinations
Japan Airlines flies to 60 domestic and 39 international destinations across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. Its major international hubs are Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, and Kansai and Itami in Osaka. The airline operates over 4,500 international and 26,000 domestic flights each month.
Cabin Classes
In January 2024, Japan Airlines introduced new cabin classes on its A350-1000 fleet, featuring enclosed suites and in-seat audio. The A350-1000 includes 6 First Class seats in a 1-1-1 layout, 54 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 155 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout.
JAL also updated its international cabins with new First Class and Executive Class seats. The JAL Suite in First Class offers more space, and the JAL Shell Flat Neo in Executive Class features an improved design. These updates began on flights from Tokyo to New York and expanded to other routes.
In-flight Entertainment
JAL’s MAGIC entertainment system provides a range of movies, videos, games, and audio programs. The MAGIC-III system, introduced in 2007, offers Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) and has been updated to include more channels and features.
Catering
On international flights, JAL serves a variety of meals depending on cabin class, destination, and flight duration. The menu includes Western and Japanese options, often created by renowned chefs. In 2016, JAL introduced a children’s menu developed by famous chefs.
Sakura Lounge
JAL’s Sakura Lounge, named after the cherry blossom, is the airline’s signature lounge. It operates both international lounges, including First Class Lounge, Sakura Lounge annex, and JAL Lounge, as well as domestic lounges like the Diamond Premier Lounge. Access is based on travel class or membership status.
7. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines (Turkish: Türk Hava Yolları), officially known as Türk Hava Yolları Anonim Ortaklığı, is Turkey’s national carrier. As of June 2024, it provides scheduled flights to 349 destinations across Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas, including cargo routes. This airline boasts the highest number of non-stop destinations from a single airport and serves more countries—130 in total—than any other carrier. Turkish Airlines’ cargo division, Turkish Cargo, operates 24 cargo aircraft serving 82 destinations. Additionally, the airline has a budget subsidiary named AJet.
The airline’s headquarters are situated at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, with its primary base being Istanbul Airport. Turkish Airlines joined the Star Alliance network on April 1, 2008.
As of 2024, Turkish Airlines flies to 340 destinations across 129 countries, including 53 domestic locations. Its fleet, as of May 2024, comprises 370 aircraft, including a variety of long-haul models like the Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A330. Passengers might also experience the latest models, such as the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with different seat configurations depending on the aircraft.
Turkish Airlines offers both business and economy classes. Its award-winning in-flight menu is now accessible through a new digital interface, allowing passengers to preview and save their meal options before boarding. This feature enhances the dining experience by offering detailed meal descriptions and easy browsing.
8. EVA Air
EVA Airways Corporation (Chinese: 長榮航空; pinyin: Chángróng Hángkōng) is a major Taiwanese international airline based in Taoyuan City. It is one of Taiwan’s top two airlines, alongside state-owned China Airlines. EVA Air operates passenger and cargo flights to over 40 international destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, with no domestic routes. It holds a 5-star rating from Skytrax and is the second-largest airline in Taiwan.
Headquartered at Taoyuan International Airport, EVA Air is known for its mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It was the first to introduce Premium Economy class, initially named Elite Class, in 1991.
EVA Air’s in-flight entertainment system, Star Gallery, offers a selection of movies, short features, interactive games, and music albums in various languages. This system, available on most aircraft except the Airbus A321, also allows passengers to send SMS and emails.
The airline’s meal service includes a range of Western and Eastern options, with special meals available upon request. In Royal Laurel and Premium Laurel classes, passengers can pre-order gourmet meals, including specialties from the acclaimed Din Tai Fung restaurant. Premium Economy offers improved seating and amenities compared to standard Economy.
EVA Air operates lounges under the EVA AIR lounge brand, accessible to various passenger categories, including business class and frequent flyer members. The airline’s cabin classes include Royal Laurel, Premium Laurel, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, each offering different levels of comfort and amenities.
9. Air France
Air France, headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, is the national airline of France and a part of the Air France-KLM Group. It is also a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance. Air France serves 29 domestic and 201 international destinations across 94 countries. Its primary hubs are Charles de Gaulle Airport for global flights and Orly Airport for domestic routes.
Founded on August 30, 1933, through the merger of several airlines, Air France has a long history, including operating during the Cold War and acquiring Air Inter and UTA in 1990. It merged with KLM in 2003.
As of 2018, Air France and its regional subsidiary, Hop, served 51.4 million passengers. The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft for long-haul routes and Airbus A320 family planes for short-haul flights. It introduced the Airbus A380 in 2009.
Air France offers a range of cabin configurations, including La Première (first class), Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. All long-haul flights feature personal screens with audio and video on demand. The in-flight dining experience varies by class, with La Première offering gourmet meals designed by Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin.
In-flight entertainment includes a variety of films, music, and games, with content available in multiple languages. Air France also provides Wi-Fi on select aircraft and operates numerous lounges globally, accessible to premium passengers and frequent flyers.
10. Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines AG, commonly known as SWISS, is Switzerland’s national carrier and a Lufthansa Group subsidiary. It is a member of the Star Alliance and operates flights across Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. Zurich Airport serves as its primary hub, with Geneva Airport as a secondary hub.
SWISS’s inflight service includes a range of refreshments and snacks on European flights. Shorter flights feature cold snacks, while longer ones offer hot meals. On select short- to mid-haul flights from Geneva and Zurich, passengers can purchase meals through the Swiss Saveurs system.
The airline’s fleet consists of 88 aircraft, providing extensive coverage and high-quality service across its network.
