The Top 25 Airlines in the World

These carriers are the best of the best in the skies in 2024.

By Cat Lafuente

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Oct. 1, 2024

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Peace of mind is paramount when you step off the jet bridge and into a plane’s cabin, ready to embark on your next adventure. Thanks to the folks at AirlineRatings, we now know which airlines are the cream of the crop.

AirlineRatings looked at a dozen factors — including safety, number of incidents, passenger reviews, the health and age of planes, innovation, and profitability — and concluded that these airlines are at the top of the food chain.

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Qatar Airways

Environmentally conscious and frequently lauded as the world’s best, Qatar Airways is a multi-award-winning airline that took this year’s top spot. Based in Doha, Qatar, it flies to nearly 170 international destinations.

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Korean Air

Famous for its delicious cuisine and fun amenities, Korean Air is a venerable airline that flies to 111 cities in 40 countries. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Cathay Pacific Airways

This Hong Kong-based airline flies to 92 destinations worldwide. The award-winning carrier has the widest first-class seats of any airline, so upgrade if you can.

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Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has one of the newest fleets of planes in the entire industry. The Auckland-based carrier flies to 49 destinations in New Zealand and worldwide.

Emirates

With 137 international destinations on six continents, Emirates has its hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airline is known for putting customer experience first instead of cutting costs.

AirFrance/KLM

AirFrance/KLM is a Paris-based airline that is the first European carrier on this list. The group flies to 300 destinations in 125 countries and has notably exceptional first-class amenities and service.

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All Nippon Airways

Headquartered in Tokyo, All Nippon Airways is Japan’s biggest carrier, with 50 domestic and 32 international destinations. Expect more space and better-than-average customer service in all classes.

Etihad Airways

The second Dubai-based airline on this list, Etihad Airways makes its hub in Abu Dhabi and connects to 70 destinations globally. It has earned honors for its sustainability initiatives and superb customer service.

Qantas

Australia's largest airline, Qantas, flies to more than 95 cities worldwide from its primary hub in Sydney. It’s been named the safest airline in the world multiple times, arguably setting the gold standard.

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Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic

London-based Virgin Atlantic flies to 32 cities while Virgin Australia visits 30 for a combined 62 destinations. These airlines are known for being the “fun” way to fly.

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines flies to more than 230 locales worldwide. Reviewers point out that the customer service is excellent.

Singapore Airlines

Known for its luxury service and doing things right — even in economy class — Singapore Airlines flies to 120 international cities from its hub at the busy and elegant Singapore Changi Airport.

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EVA Air

EVA Air is a Taiwanese airline that operates out of Taoyuan International Airport. It lands in more than 60 destinations in Asia, Europe, North America, and down under, and is famous for its Hello Kitty-themed planes.

TAP Portugal

TAP Portugal is a Portuguese carrier based in Lisbon that takes off from 80 cities in 30 countries worldwide. It earns high marks for being affordable. The airline also offers free stopovers in Lisbon and Porto on some itineraries.

Japan Airlines

The second Japanese airline on this list flies to 66 countries and regions. The airline prides itself on exceptional economy-class service and offers great food and amenities, and ample entertainment options.

Finnair

One of the oldest airlines in the world — it just celebrated a century of service — Finnair stops in around 100 destinations worldwide. The airline is also one of the most on-time carriers in Europe.

Hawaiian Airlines

The biggest airline in Hawaii flies to 138 destinations in Hawaii, North America, Asia, and beyond. The airline has received awards for excellent cuisine, great customer service, and reliability.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has 125 cities on its list of destinations. The airline’s excellent rewards program is based on distance flown instead of the cost of your fare, which makes it one of the best.

Lufthansa/Swiss

Lufthansa flies to 204 destinations, while Swiss has more than 100 destinations on its roster.

Turkish Airlines

Not only does Turkish Airlines have one of the biggest hubs in the world at Istanbul Airport, it also flies to 120 countries — the most of any airline. This carrier is known for its phenomenal cuisine.

IGA Group

The IGA Group touches down in more than 250 airports in 91 countries. Airlines include Iberia — the largest carrier in Spain — and British Airways.

Air Canada

Consistently voted the best carrier in North America by Skytrax and lauded for its delicious business class cuisine, Air Canada taxis in and out of more than 200 cities around the world.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is a large American carrier that flies to 275 airports in 50 countries. It is one of the most punctual airlines in North America and has a good track record for safety.

United Airlines

Chicago-based United Airlines flies to 210 domestic destinations and 120 international destinations. It is known for being a safe airline, with a good track record and a relatively young fleet of planes.

American Airlines

American Airlines has more seats than any other airline in the U.S. It flies to more than 350 destinations across six continents. This airline often keeps ticket costs lower than the competition, which can help you save more on travel.

Bottom line

If you are looking for ways to travel more in 2024, there is a good chance you will book more flights throughout the year. The airlines on this list are known for being safe and reliable.

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