World's best airlines

[BigDUSA 71]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"Buckling your airplane seat belt and weight-loss personality Richard Simmons aren't things you'd necessarily think go together. But if you flew on Air New Zealand in the recent past, that's who may have video-instructed you how to buckle up.

 

Great companies always think outside the box, and Air New Zealand is no exception. In the most recent Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey, the Kiwi airline came in No. 2. And while readers didn't specifically rank in-flight entertainment, ANZ's fresh, amusing spin on the standard safety video surely gave passengers a memorable impression of the airline.

 

The factors our readers did vote on, across 76 global airlines: cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, value, and food. No one was surprised to see Singapore Airlines topping the list; they've been the No. 1 airline for the past 17 years. And they must be doing something right—they didn't even have Richard Simmons entertaining their passengers.

 

No. 1 Singapore Airlines

 

For the 17th year in a row—ever since T+L inaugurated the World’s Best Awards—Singapore Airlines has been readers’ overall favorite. This year, the airline came out on top in every category: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value. The 32-inch seat pitch in economy class helps, as do the flight attendants, famous for their above-and-beyond service and sarong and kebaya uniforms. Bedtime turndown service is even part of the flying experience for those with pockets deep enough to book the A380 first-class suites that feature sliding doors, 23-inch TVs, and stand-alone beds hand-stitched by master Italian craftsmen Poltrona Frau.

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand)No. 2 Air New Zealand

 

The Kiwi carrier has been steadily climbing up the ranks of the world’s best airlines. Two years ago, Air New Zealand ranked seventh, and last year, it was fourth. Cabin comfort, food, and especially improved in-flight service vaulted it into the No. 2 position this year. T+L readers felt that the airline’s value had improved during the past year, and its innovative OneUp program, which allows you to bid for an upgrade seven days before you fly internationally, beats paying through the nose for business or first. Another popular innovation: cuddle class, an economy row of three seats that can convert to a bed.

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Emirates)No. 3 Emirates

 

Emirates has slipped slightly from No. 2, a spot it held for the past two years. While the airline maintained steady scores for cabin comfort, in-flight service, and food, readers demoted both the airline’s customer service and value scores this year. Still, there’s nothing wrong about coming in third. And forward-thinking innovations like the airline’s signature Shower Spa in first class should keep the airline up to speed with the very best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Korean Air)No. 4 Korean Air

 

Korean Air vaulted up the list from last year’s ninth place, thanks to major improvements in readers’ perceptions of in-flight service and food, as well as cabin comfort and value. Tastier Western, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes have certainly helped. But, taking a page out of Singapore Airlines’ book, it’s the improved level of service that has brought this airline into the rarefied ranking of our top five carriers.

 

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific Airways)No. 5 Cathay Pacific Airways

 

Cathay Pacific went up the list from seventh place last year. The airline worked hard and offered improvements in every area, according to our readers, but especially in the areas of value and food. Leave it to Hong Kong–based Cathay to be among the first to have rice cookers on board. Each seat is outfitted with power outlets and iPod and USB ports—not to mention a 32-inch seat pitch in economy class—and these special touches keep the airline highly ranked for cabin comfort.

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Asiana Airlines/Star Alliance)No. 6 Asiana Airlines

 

Asiana is the comeback kid this year. The carrier fell to No. 13 in our 2011 rankings, but in 2010, it was No. 6. What’s the story? According to T+L readers, Asiana has upgraded its cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, and value. It fell a little short in its food ranking, but it was so much better in the other critical areas that it’s firmly back in our top 10. Now that Asiana, like its formidable Asian peers, offers suites, it’s clearly a contender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Virgin America)No. 7 Virgin America

 

Virgin America remains the highest-ranking U.S. airline in our survey, despite slipping two slots in the overall rankings from last year. (It holds up even better among the survey’s domestic rankings with a No. 1 rank in every category.) The Red touch-screen system that allows you to order snacks and drinks, shop, and give back to fight cancer or to offset your carbon footprint is a prime example of how Virgin America is truly in step with the expectations of 21st-century travelers.

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Qatar Airways)No. 8 Qatar Airways

 

Ranked No. 11 in 2011, Qatar has made a move into the top 10, although not yet back to the No. 3 ranking it earned from readers in 2010 or 2009’s No. 2 spot. Readers did give kudos to improvements in the airline’s in-flight service and to welcome changes in cabin comfort, namely the 32-inch seat pitch. Hiring celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa to oversee the in-flight menu is another crowd-pleaser.

 

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic)No. 9 Virgin Atlantic Airways

 

Virgin Atlantic ranked eighth last year and could use a little maintenance in the eyes of T+L readers. The airline fell a bit short in every category this year, but most especially when it came to food, in-flight service, and value. Even cabin comfort was found to be less comforting this year compared to last. That said, the airline still made it into the survey’s top 10—and continues to make headlines for its cheeky spirit. Earlier this year, for instance, Upper Class passengers had the distinct pleasure of drinks served with ice cubes crafted to resemble Sir Richard Branson’s head.

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Thai Airways International)No. 10 Thai International Airways

 

Ensconced at No. 10, as it was in 2011, Thai Airways pretty much maintained the status quo, according to our survey, although readers did feel that the airline offered more value than it had in the past. Thai has certainly been keeping up with other quality carriers, installing niceties like Audio Visual on Demand (AVOD). But since most of its flights are within Asia or to Europe (with North American service only to Los Angeles), it lacks the visibility of the top-dog Asian airlines. Regardless, our readers think it deserves top 10 status".

 

 

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Edited November 28, 2012 by BigDUSA

[tomcat76 327]

I've taken to traveling regularly with Cathay Pacific rather than searching out the very lowest price (KAL probably cheaper at least some of the time; China Airlines & China Southern always the cheapest if you don't mind the stopover in Guanzhou). I agree with this article WRT CP's level of service & comfort and like connecting through Hong Kong rather than some other less direct point so total travel time from LAX is kept to a minimum (can't do much better since Thai eliminated that direct LAX-BKK flight, which was more expensive anyway). If I'm ever to miss a connection, I'd rather be delayed in Hong Kong than other places. Lastly, am planning regular trips going forward and so get the miles on my card as well as miles accumulating with Asia Miles.

 

Oh, and last July returning home, they handled the typhoon situation impeccably. I could hardly have asked for more responsive and intelligent handling of the needed flight changes (well, there WAS one little thing involving an extra step at the airport prior to check-in, but much as I feared it wouldn't, it actually worked itself out). They kept abreast of flights being cancelled & delayed, automatically re-ticketed me on each iteration, recognized when connection times became unrealistic, kept me notified at my hotel & via email, called when they said they'd call, were always extremely receptive & polite, and had no problem eventually putting me on another airline (Thai) for the trip home. I'll bet people flying other airlines spent many more days and experienced far more frustration waiting to get home than I did (I actually wouldn't have minded a couple of extra days in BKK...). And I was just a plain vanilla economy passenger.

 

Matter-of-fact, I expect to be airborne on a CP flight head that direction in a little over 9 hours!

Edited November 28, 2012 by tomcat76

[steamer 158]

My last trip on United I was awoken from a deep sleep by a geriatric flying waitress who somehow survived cutback after cutback and layoff after layoff. Some just don't realize even after decades of flying that sleeping is the best way to pass time on a flight as I have no interest in their reheated prison leftovers. Still, I wont shell out the hundreds more that the better airlines charge for the slightly better experience.

Edited November 28, 2012 by steamer

[Samsonite 181]

+1 for Cathay Pacific. They may not be as plush as Singapore Air, but they are definitely the most efficient airline I've flown.

I also have had positive experiences with Korean Air and Asiana.

Edited November 28, 2012 by Samsonite

[teelack 9,640]

Generally speaking Air New Zealand gets great reviews. I was however pissed off earlier this year. I was on a midnight flight and for possibly the first time ever no drinks were served prior to the meal. For me this is a great stress reliever just after take off and was expected. Seems to me that they wanted to get the meal over so that the crew could get some shuteye. On that same trip I flew Swiss and Thai and no issues with this on either of them.

[zyphur 31]

Airline preference is such a personal thing, there are so many considerations as to what people like or don't like about individual airlines and I wouldn't give much creedance to all these magazine listings. Maybe Travel + Leisure did operate a 'clean' and transparent survey, but I can't recall any magazine having their surveys audited by an independent body. I'm being picky I know but as an example a certain airline and not the only one I can assure you, did a deal on advertorials and in return got a few thousand copies of the edition with the voting section in it. Gave them out to staff and even to passengers on board its flights and asked them to vote for them....good marketing tactics or trying to force opinion......I'll leave that to individual consideration. I am reminded of the old addage that there is no such thing as a 'free lunch'!

 

The only true way to rate airlines is to ensure that apples are being compared to apples and not to oranges. There would have to be a set listing of criteria in specific categories and measured performance indicators assessed by a professional independant body.....but that ain't going to happen and it doesn't make for good headlines. Funny thing is though, it always seems to be some of the biggest airlines with the biggest marketing budgets which get into these magazine top spots and its not suprising given the vast economies of scale in which they operate. If 100 people who voted flew on Emirates but only 20 of them also on AIr New Zealand how could the results of the vote be truly representative and its easy to see who would come out on top.

 

But, as I don't wish to be a party pooper on this subject [it just happens to be the type of survey that I find so false] and so, like other BM's have said earlier....CX is a strong contender, delivering IMHO, a continual quality product in all aspects from ground services and on-time performance thru to their in-flight service delivery and safety record, also Qatar airways has to be in my personal top 3. Of the budget carriers AIr Asia would get my vote.....if only for inginuity in marketing, value for money and reliability of product.

 

This is just my opinion.............but if any airline wants to offer me a free first class ticket, then that opinion may change!!!!

[tomcat76 327]

Some just don't realize even after decades of flying that sleeping is the best way to pass time on a flight ...

 

... And some just can't sleep on airline flights (not in economy anyway). Aside from that, my flight on CX yesterday was flawless. From online check-in & seat selection, to airport bag drop-off, to disembarkation here in BKK. I'll get flamed for saying this I'm sure, but even the passenger complement was better - not a single case of whooping cough heard on either of the legs, and only 1 screaming baby (who thankfully was several rows back). Even the food was tolerable (given the crowd airline meals run in these days, which doesn't set the bar very high).

 

PS No waiting at immo either. Well, there was some if you turned into that first area...

[Guest Fatboyfat]

I know that I can only talk with respect to Biz / First class accomadation, but having Emirates in 3rd place is highly suspicious IMHO. I have looked down the back on one of their 777s on a SE Asia bound flight, and was quite appalled actually !

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I know that I can only talk with respect to Biz / First class accomadation, but having Emirates in 3rd place is highly suspicious IMHO. I have looked down the back on one of their 777s on a SE Asia bound flight, and was quite appalled actually !

 

I think that 3-4-3 in Y on the 777s disqualifies an airline from attaining a 5-Star ranking on Skytrax - quite rightly so IMHO.

[steamer 158]

Just arrived home via United and I must say they haven't a clue. Lets ignore the facts that they are using older aircraft and tend to be the cheapest.

 

Why do they show a film and then a tv show and then another film (no individual IFE) and when we finally land after 11 hours the last film was only half finished. I was actually interested in the film (Timothy Green) and cant understand why they didn't put a regular tv show at the end rather than cut off a 2 hour film half way thru. They did the same on the way to Tokyo as well.

 

Why do they describe a direct flight (not to be confused with a non stop) to and from BKK and ORD (Chicago) rather than a one stop? They call the flights 882 and 882y respectively yet one must disembark and then re-board and it's a different plane with entirely different seating as well as a 3 hour layover so it's not a direct flight now is it? Most confusing.

 

Why do they make the passengers at the very back of the plane board last? Surely it makes more sense that after first class etc has boarded that loading the plane from the back to the front is easier for all involved than boarding from front to back?

Edited December 2, 2012 by steamer

[Sinistersinner 223]

I've always been a supporter of EVA Airlines.

Always loved their Premium Laurel Class.

[teelack 9,640]

I know that I can only talk with respect to Biz / First class accomadation, but having Emirates in 3rd place is highly suspicious IMHO. I have looked down the back on one of their 777s on a SE Asia bound flight, and was quite appalled actually !

 

Your comment re Emirates. I have never flown with them but I get the feeling that the hype leads people to expect more than they actually get when they fly with them. This is not the case with Singapore as I have never heard a bad word against them.

[jacko 8,815]

I know that I can only talk with respect to Biz / First class accomadation, but having Emirates in 3rd place is highly suspicious IMHO. I have looked down the back on one of their 777s on a SE Asia bound flight, and was quite appalled actually !

Don't go looking back there mate........... only thing missing is the oars.

[Guest Fatboyfat]

Your comment re Emirates. I have never flown with them but I get the feeling that the hype leads people to expect more than they actually get when they fly with them. This is not the case with Singapore as I have never heard a bad word against them.

Quite so, and I would suggest that they would be top on most,if not all lists, apart from price of course . I personally go for Air New Zealand as second at the moment too, based on biz/1st. Its after that the list goes awry in my opinion.

[samfreeland 64]

Lets not forget Intercontinental .http://www.capitalbay.com/headline/292119-drunken-passenger-is-taped-to-his-seat-during-flight-to-new-york-after-trying-to-choke-one-woman-and-ranting-the-plane-was-going-to-crash.html

[jacko 8,815]

Lets not forget Intercontinental .http://www.capitalba...g-to-crash.html

That isn't what happened to Vinnie Jones.

[samfreeland 64]

That isn't what happened to Vinnie Jones.

101 uses for duct tape. All airlines should carry a roll.http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/01/travel/air-rage/index.html

Edited January 5, 2013 by samfreeland

[tomcat76 327]

It's a little OT I guess since only a regional airline, but I just flew Nok and have to give them TOP marks for their FAs! Wow! There was one who actually showed me to my seat, and she was an absolute stunner! The other 2 were only maybe 8.5s or 9s... Don't think I quite get the corporate logo, but WTF cares? When I was a kid, long before unions destroyed the concept, I can remember when US airlines all had very attractive stews. {sigh...}

[jacko 8,815]

It's a little OT I guess since only a regional airline, but I just flew Nok and have to give them TOP marks for their FAs! Wow! There was one who actually showed me to my seat, and she was an absolute stunner! The other 2 were only maybe 8.5s or 9s... Don't think I quite get the corporate logo, but WTF cares? When I was a kid, long before unions destroyed the concept, I can remember when US airlines all had very attractive stews. {sigh...}

That's the one that employs katoeys right?

[tomcat76 327]

If so, none on my flight. ' Would certainly have affected my assessment...

[samfreeland 64]

The latest in a series of moves that have combined what were ten major airlines in 2001 in to four mega carriers. http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/14/news/companies/us-airways-american-airlines-merger/.

[Dungheap 243]

No complaints against the top three but Korean and Thai Airways ahead of ANA or JAL??? Puuuleaze!!!

 

Last time I flew with Thai, the fookers parked the bird halfway to the hanger and we bused it to Swampy. They're the national carrier FFS!

[9cisco999 107]

No complaints against the top three but Korean and Thai Airways ahead of ANA or JAL??? Puuuleaze!!!

 

Last time I flew with Thai, the fookers parked the bird halfway to the hanger and we bused it to Swampy. They're the national carrier FFS!

 

 

 

 

At least they didn't expect you to walk. 555

[Bullfrog 2,224]

I was on a midnight flight and for possibly the first time ever no drinks were served prior to the meal. For me this is a great stress reliever just after take off and was expected.

 

 

I have no idea why individual crews make this decision. To me the most important parts of a flight are the beginning and the end.

 

I like a drink shortly after take off and get extremely pissed off if they refuse to give me the landing immigration cards until landing...i.e. "The flight crew will be coming through the cabin shortly with your landing cards......the captain has now started his descent so please put your seats in an upright position and make sure your table is folded"

 

 

WHAT???

 

 

Of course this now only happens to me when I fly into a new country as I always grab a few from them for next time but the scenario above is only surpassed by them not having any landing cards at all....The effing purser should by bloody gang raped by every passenger when this happens. Cos they will have enough bloody time when they get to immigration and have to find the forms and fill them out and get to the back of the queue...bugger it pisses me off....It has even happened to me flying business class with Emirates FFS..

 

 

For me I have no favourite as I have had good and bad flights, prices and service on most of 'em...

[ZARIS 20]

Its difficult to declare a "worlds best airline" as an individual when most people have only flown with a handful.Me included.

 

However I am very please that my favourite airline- Singapore has won yet again. You ca'nt argue with 17 years in a row.

 

I fly Singapore airlines whenever I can now,happy to pay the extra 200 or so dollars it costs above others. When youu sit in front of your PC to make the bookings its all about prices,Once your in the air its all about the experience, the importance of price seems to fade.

 

I have also flown cathay, Air NZ, virgin america, and Thai. To be honest whilst thai is adequate I dont know how they made top 10.They are not a patch on Singapore.

 

A notable omission is Australia's QANTAS.Once a truly great airline it is now truly woeful, doubt it makes the top 25. I wonder where air asia rates?