The best airlines in the world is a very interesting list to read because it is full of surprises. This list includes small airlines (by number of aircraft and routes), and also includes a number of airlines from sub Saharan Africa; some of which have been ranked ahead of their counterparts in Europe.
These are the airlines that offer the best value for money in terms of flight experience, and of course, safety. These are what passengers want the most; and are even willing to pay a little more to get from an airline.
To be fair; the aviation industry is not an easy one; it takes a lot of money and planning to build a world class airline; and even then things may not go as planned.
Top 100 Best Airlines In The World
1. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has reached this position through the sheer power of the dollar; it has spent billions on strategic marketing. This airline has sponsored Football Clubs and tournaments, and even the FIFA World Cup so as to gain brand visibility.
Qatar Airways was founded in 1993, and operates out of its headquarters in Doha, Qatar. The airline has one of the most expansive networks in the world; it flies to over 150 international destinations across the world; including countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Qatar Airways employs 43,000 people all over the world; and has a fleet of over 200 aircraft. It is the most recognizable logo in the sky; and achieved this brand value through extensive advertising and marketing.
2. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is one of the most luxurious airlines in the world; and with good reason- it is from the most luxurious country (arguably) in the world. Singapore has the highest concentration of wealth per km in the world; and has a high standard of everything.
Singapore Airlines was founded in 1947, and operates as a global carrier; albeit through a different system. It has over 20 subsidiaries operating in different regions across the world, and also operates long range flights across the world.
This is an airline that is noted for the luxury it offers; it has been rated as a 5star airline for the last 30 years. It was the first to roll out the Airbus A380—the world’s largest passenger aircraft—and the equally big Boeing 787-10 into service. Even now, it is the only operator of the ultra-long-range (ULR) version of the Airbus A350–900.
3. Emirates
Emirates is one most recognized airlines in the world; it is the shirt sponsor of at least 4 top football clubs in Europe. It has also spent a fortune in sponsorship of various sporting events mostly in Europe.
Emirates Air was founded in 1985, and today it has a fleet of over 250 airlines. This is the largest airline in the world; and it is owned by the Government of Dubai. This airline has around 3500 scheduled flights per week, and has flights to 150 cities in 80 countries of the world.
Emirates has over 102,000 employees around the world; that makes it the largest airline in the world by fleet size, and also by staff size.
The airline is known to give generous baggage allowances; and to operate a very efficient service. The air hostesses are also very beautiful.
4 ANA All Nippon Airways
ANA All Nippon Airways is a Japanese airline which was founded in 1952. It has its headquarters in Tokyo, and operates local and international destinations. This airline has several subsidiaries; some of which are local, regional and international. Interestingly it also has a low cost airline, which is different from the conventional airlines. ANA All Nippon Airways also has a luxury or executive arm.
This airline is ranked as a 5star airline, and has a fleet size of 212, going to 104 destinations. This airline has a staff size of 42,196; meaning that it is no pushover in terms of organizational structure or financial strength.
ANA All Nippon Airways may not be a visible name depending on where one lives; but through its subsidiaries it plays an active role in the aviation industry; and it is one of the industry giants.
5. Qantas Airways
Qantas Airways, which is also known as the Flying Kangaroo, is an Australian airline. Contrary to what many people may think; it bears no similarity with the other airline with a similar name which has been highlighted earlier. In fact this airline precedes that one by quite a long time; it was founded in 1920, and there is only one airline in the world which is older than it.
Qantas Airways has a fleet of about 124 aircraft, flying to 94 destinations. It has 7 subsidiaries and they may concentrate on specific markets such as cargo, chartered flights, luxury travel, and so on.
This company also owns a low cost airline traveling from Australia, and also operating local flights within the country.
6. Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines is a major airline in the world; it is an impressive airline which is also Japan’s flag carrier. It’s headquarters is in Shinagawa, Tokyo, while its main hubs are Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport, as well as the Kansai International Airport in Osaka.
Japan Airlines may not be one of the most popular names in the airline industry, but it is certainly one of the most formidable. It has at least 7 subsidiaries; some of which are devoted to specific markets such as cargo, charter, and executive services.
This airline has a fleet size of 145 aircraft, and they fly to at least 92 destinations. If we take into account the business done by its subsidiaries, including those in the cargo industry, it has a total movement (scheduled and non-scheduled) 220 destinations in 35 countries worldwide.
7. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is a leading player in the aviation industry, and a member of the Star Alliance. It is the Flag Carrier of Turkey, and has the biggest network in terms of the areas covered; with 126 countries.
This airline has a fleet of 419 (including cargo planes) and services 340 destinations. The airline has at least 15 subsidiaries in different countries, and it is one of the biggest airlines in terms of operational scope.
The airline was founded in 1933, and is now worth around 30 billion dollars in total assets, with a staff strength of about 37,600.
This is one of the visible names in the aviation industry, and at the same time the best in the world in terms of reach. It is a 5star airline, and the pride of Turkey.
8. Air France
Air France is one of the powerhouses of the aviation industry; it is the Flag Carrier of France, and one of the most popular names in aviation.
This airline is part of the Air France-KLM Group; which is arguably the biggest force in aviation. It’s headquarters is in the Charles de Gaulle Airport, north of Paris.
This airline serves 29 destinations in France, as well as scheduled passenger and cargo services to 201 destinations in 78 countries across the world. In terms of operational scope; it has 248 aircraft, and if we count the cargo planes it gets up to 223 destinations.
Air France has a value of 16 billion euros, and employs 84,602 people worldwide.
9. Korean Air
Korean Air is one of the most important airlines in Asia; it is the Flag Carrier of South Korea. It is also the country’s biggest airline in terms of fleet size, and number of destinations.
This airline has a fleet size of 164 aircraft, and it services 121 local and international destinations. This airline has 6 subsidiaries; some of which focus on cargo, and other markets.
This airline was established in 1969, although its roots go back to 1962. Presently, its international passenger division and related subsidiary cargo division together fly to 126 cities in 44 countries.
Korean Air is part of a bigger conglomerate, which also operates in the Hospitality Industry through ownership of several hotels and other such ventures.
10. Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines, which is also known as Swiss Air, and also just as SWISS, is an international airline, and also the flag carrier of Switzerland. It has scheduled and non-scheduled flights to 82 destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. This airline was established in 2002, when Swissair (the nation’s former flag carrier) went bankrupt.
It is based in Basel, Switzerland, and flies to 102 destinations (plus cargo), using a fleet of 85 aircraft, which makes it a large airline. When you consider the fact that this company is also a member of the Lufthansa Group; it becomes considerably larger.
Swiss International Air Lines has 7,916, which makes it one of the biggest airlines by staff strength. It recently recorded revenues of 2.1 billion Swiss Francs.
The following is a more extensive list of the top 100 airlines in the world.
| Rank | Airline | Headquarters |
| 1 | Qatar Airways | Doha, Qatar |
| 2 | Singapore Airlines | Singapore |
| 3 | Emirates | Dubai, UAE |
| 4 | ANA All Nippon Airways | Osaka, Japan |
| 5 | Qantas Airways | Sydney, Australia |
| 6 | Japan Airlines | Japan |
| 7 | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 8 | Air France | Paris, France |
| 9 | Korean Air | Seoul, South Korea |
| 10 | Swiss International Air Lines | Basel, Switzerland |
| 11 | British Airways | London |
| 12 | Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi |
| 13 | China Southern Airlines | Beijing |
| 14 | Hainan Airlines | Haikou, Hainan, China |
| 15 | Lufthansa | Cologne, Germany |
| 16 | Cathay Pacific Airways | Hong Kong |
| 17 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 18 | EVA Air | Taiwan |
| 19 | Virgin Atlantic | Crawley, England |
| 20 | Vistara | Guguram, India |
| 21 | Finnair | Helsinki, Finland |
| 22 | Gulf Air | Bahrain |
| 23 | Bangkok Airways | Bangkok, Thailand |
| 24 | Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 25 | Iberia | Madrid, Spain |
| 26 | Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| 27 | AirAsia | Sepang, Malaysia |
| 28 | Aegean Airlines | Kifisia, Greece |
| 29 | Scoot | Singapore |
| 30 | Air New Zealand | New Zealand |
| 31 | Garuda Indonesia | Indonesia |
| 32 | Austrian Airlines | Schwechat, Austria |
| 33 | Asiana Airlines | Seoul, South Korea |
| 34 | Saudi Arabian Airlines | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 35 | Southwest Airlines | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| 36 | Fiji Airways | Nadi, Fiji |
| 37 | Oman Air | Oman |
| 38 | Air Astana | Almaty, Kazakhstan |
| 39 | WestJet | Calgary, Canada |
| 40 | Ryanair | Swords, Dublin, Ireland |
| 41 | JetBlue Airways | Long island, new York, USA |
| 42 | China Airlines | China |
| 43 | Virgin Australia | Sydney, Australia |
| 44 | Malaysia Airlines | Malaysia |
| 45 | IndiGo | Guguram, India |
| 46 | Thai Airways | Thailand |
| 47 | LATAM | Las condes, Chile |
| 48 | Vietnam Airlines | Vietnam |
| 49 | Azul Airlines | Sao Paulo, brazil |
| 50 | Air Canada | Canada |
| 51 | Vueling Airlines | Llobregat, Spain |
| 52 | Azerbaijan Airlines | Azerbaijan, Airlines |
| 53 | Royal Brunei Airlines | Brunei |
| 54 | Aer Lingus | Dublin Ireland |
| 55 | EasyJet | Luton, England |
| 56 | Jet2.com | Yeadon, United Kingdom |
| 57 | Jetstar Airways | Melbourne, Australia |
| 58 | Flynas | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 59 | Alaska Airlines | Alaska, United States |
| 60 | United Airlines | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| 61 | SunExpress | Antalya, Turkey |
| 62 | Peach | Sennan, Osaka, Japan |
| 63 | Eurowings | Dusseldorf, Germany |
| 64 | SAS Scandinavian | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 65 | Hawaiian Airlines | Hawaii, United States |
| 66 | Royal Air Maroc | Morocco |
| 67 | TAP Portugal | Portugal |
| 68 | American Airlines | United States |
| 69 | Hong Kong Airlines | Hong Kong |
| 70 | airBaltic | Marupe, Latvia |
| 71 | Jetstar Asia | Singapore |
| 72 | Rex Airlines | Sydney, Australia |
| 73 | LOT Polish | Poland |
| 74 | Air Transat | Montreal, Canada |
| 75 | Brussels Airlines | Brussels, Belgium |
| 76 | Kuwait Airways | Kuwait |
| 77 | Philippine Airlines | Philippines |
| 78 | Air Arabia | Sharjah, UAE |
| 79 | South African Airways | South Africa |
| 80 | flyDubai | Dubai, UAE |
| 81 | Kenya Airways | Kenya |
| 82 | Air Canada rouge | Canada |
| 83 | Air Malta | Malta |
| 84 | Norwegian | Norway |
| 85 | Sky Airline | Santiago, Chile |
| 86 | TUI Airways | Luton, United Kingdom |
| 87 | Copa Airlines | Panama city, Panama |
| 88 | Air Mauritius | Mauritius |
| 89 | JetSmart | Santiago, Chile |
| 90 | American Eagle | United states |
| 91 | Citilink | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| 92 | Air Serbia | Serbia |
| 93 | Wizz Air | Budapest, Hungary |
| 94 | Avianca | Bogota, Colombia |
| 95 | Egyptair | Egypt |
| 96 | China Eastern Airlines | China |
| 97 | Air Dolomiti | Verona, Italy |
| 98 | ITA Airways | Rome, Italy |
| 99 | LEVEL | New York |
| 100 | Buta Airways | Baku, Azerbaijan |
Related:
- Most Beautiful Countries In The World
- Cheapest Countries In Africa To Visit
- Most Intelligent Countries In The World
Closing
The best airlines in the world are not necessarily the most expensive; luxury is only a sector in the aviation industry. To be considered good an airline only has to be efficient; even if it is a low cost airline, it should provide its services on schedule, and have a great customer service. These are some of the ways to win customer love and loyalty, and thus favor in the industry.