Top 12 World's Best International Airlines

If you’re a traveler, you would know flying is a vital part of planning a vacation. Air travel isn’t really as comfortable & glamorous an experience as it might look, and particularly when you’ve to be in limbo on a long-haul flight. You’ve to go through a lot whether it is about the flight meals, lost baggage stories, or the inexplicable delays. But there are some of the world’s best international airlines that are trying hard to make the experience more enjoyable & luxurious for their passengers. While some international airlines are already catering to customers with excellent services, the others are trying hard to match the standards. In this article, we’ll tell you about the 12 world’s best international airlines that have already set the flying standards high. There are plenty of factors that determine the standards of an airline — comfort, timeliness, customer satisfaction, fees, cancellation statistics & more. If you’re looking for the best international airlines for your next international travel you are at the right place. 

Top 12 world’s best International airlines

1. Qatar Airways

2. Cathay Pacific

3. ANA AII Nippon Airways

4. Emirates

5. Singapore Airlines

6. EVA Air

7. Hainan Airline

8. Virgin Atlantic

9. Air New Zealand

10. WestJet

11. Air Canada

12. Qantas

Just like any other service, some airlines are exceptionally superior to others for a variety of reasons. Here’s more about the 12 world’s best international airlines in the world.

1. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has not always recognized this standard but gradually it has become one of the world’s best international airlines. And, today it offers excellent services to its customers at every level. The airline has received many awards and it flies as many as 134 aircraft with ultra-modern facilities. After their relaunch in 1997, the airlines have earned many accolades and awards. Established in 1993, Qatar’s state-owned flag carrier has been certified with a 5-star airline rating. It flies to over 150 destinations across the world. In addition to the business & economy class, this world’s best international airlines also offer first-class seats that can be folded to make comfortable flatbeds. Isn’t that flattering? 

2. Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Airways was established in 1946 and is the flag carrier of Hong Kong. The airlines carry around a million passengers per year. The Cathay Pacific airline flies to around 77 destinations around the world and has a fleet of 153 aircraft. It is certified with a 5-Star Airline Rating & is among the world’s best international airlines with its exceptional product offerings & top-notch customer services. Throughout its long years of service, the airline has received many awards & accolades. 

3. ANA AII Nippon Airways

While Singapore Airlines is the topmost airline in Asia, ANA All Nippon Airways is the second-best airline in Asia and is the topmost airline in Japan. And, for all the services it offers, it has often been named among the world’s best international airlines. The Japan-based airline was founded in 1952 and it has a fleet of over 235 aircraft & flies to around 97 countries around the world. In the beginning, it only operated as domestic airlines and took its first international flight in 1971 to Hong Kong. Since the airline came into existence, it has been trying to put into place ultra-modern technologies for improving customer experience. 

In an attempt to improve & to put in place new facilities, Japan’s largest airline has rolled out a total of twelve completely redesigned Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. And, the airline’s “THE Room”, the Business Class seat design is another product where it is investing for better customer experience. THE ROOM offers flexible doors for maintaining personal privacy which can also be adjusted for sharing space with family & friends. For all the ultra-modern amenities that it offers, the ANA AII Nippon Airways is one of the world’s best international airlines. 

4. Emirates

Emirates, the Dubai-based airline is the second-best airline in the middle east & is one of the fastest-growing and among one of the world’s best international airlines. Founded on March 25, 1985, Emirates flies to 161 destinations around 80 countries & has 254 aircraft. In a very small span of time, the company has found a place in the list of the world’s best international airlines. With a fleet of over 260 aircraft, the airline flies to over 160 destinations. 

5. Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is the top carrier of Singapore, which enjoys a 5-Star Airline Rating. Singapore Airlines is one of the top airlines in Asia. In 2017, the airlines on a few of its flights introduced the New A380 Suites and on its upper deck, which has plenty of spacious suites. Each of these suites has both a bed & a seat. In addition to that, double suites are also available for the passengers. Singapore Airlines founded in 1947, flies around 62 destinations across five continents. The airline also owns a number of its subsidiaries including SilkAir & Scoot and it has a fleet of 122 aircraft. Singapore Airlines, the 5-Star Airline Rating is one of the world’s best international airlines. 

6. EVA Air

Based at the Taoyuan International Airport, EVA Air is one of the world’s best international airlines. EVA Air was founded on March 8, 1989, and is the first independent airline in Taiwan. In the beginning, it flew across Jakarta, Bangkok, Singapore, Seol & Kuala Lumpur — further it started to expand its services during the 1990s. Eva Air has a fleet of 78 aircraft & flies to more than 40 destinations around the world. The EVA in EVA Air stands for Evergreen and is among one of the top international airlines in the world with a fleet of 80 planes.

7. Hainan Airlines

Headquartered in Haikou, Hainan, China, Hainan Airlines is one of the world’s best international airlines & the topmost airlines in China. Founded on January 1, 1993, Hainan Airlines is a leading airline in Asia and it flies to around 51 destinations around the globe. Hainan Airlines has over 40-aircrafts & 24 bases. It flies to almost every corner of China along with the Pacific region, Europe, Asia & North America. 

8. Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic offers one of the top-notch services & luxuries to its customers. No matter if you are flying across for a fun vacation or for a business project, the experience you get while flying through Virgin Atlantic is always a pleasure. With the acquisition of several Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in recent years, the carrier has incorporated several upper-class products. The window-facing suites offer absolute privacy to customers making it an unmatched experience for its customers. The seamless upright seats can be turned straight to beds & it also features the largest-ever in-flight entertainment screen. In addition to that, The Loft, a new bar area that is a part of the Virgin Atlantic A350 offers the largest social space for the customers where they can drink & chat with friends & family. All of this definitely finds a place in the list of the world’s best international airlines.

9. Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand carries approximately 17 million passengers every year. Operating a global network, the air carrier offers both cargo & passenger services — to, from & within the country itself. The kiwi carrier is known for some of the world’s longest flights— from comfort to safety of luggage & in-flight services, it has always surprised its passengers. Not only the seats are designed in a way to provide ample legroom to passengers, but many rows of the coach are also equipped with "Skycouch", which is the perfect thing for people who are on a family vacation. On the other hand, the expanded premium economy section is the perfect thing for budget Business travelers. The air carrier delights its passengers with the world-famous New Zealand wine. So, being an airline that aspires to keep customers’ comfort at the center of everything deserves to be on the list of the world’s best international airlines. 

10. WestJet

WestJet, a Canadian low-cost carrier is the second-largest airline in the country. The air carrier flies to around 90 destinations including WestJet Encore, its regional subsidiary. These 90 destinations include the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, Central America & Mexico. The airline also has codeshare arrangements with over a dozen other carriers ‘and it operates with all Economy Class seating. The airline hubs are located at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Calgary International Airport (YYC). The air carrier has been rated as the world’s best international airline in terms of affordability that also takes good care of passengers’ comfort. WestJet was the first airline in North America, which started electronic boarding passes, which came out to be a savior for the passengers. 

11. Air Canada

Canada’s largest and flagship airline has been a favorite of Canadians and North Americans for decades. The airline offers customers spectacular accessibility with more than 180 destinations on five continents. The airline is also the founding member of the Star Alliance Network; the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. In 2014 Air Canada was named ‘Best Airline in North America’ by Global Traveler magazine and also won ‘Best North American Airline for International Travel’ by Business Traveler magazine. Air Canada is undoubtedly one of the world’s best international airlines, which makes for an amazing flying experience for its passengers.

12. Qantas

The Brisbane-based carrier has been named among the world’s best airlines several times. And, with the world’s largest fleet to fly with Virgin and the new economy x class & premium economy— it truly deserves to be there. Besides, the business class services offerings have made it Australia’s second-most preferred domestic airline. The Sydney-based kangaroo airline is popularly known for being the world’s best international airline in terms of experience and so many more things. The signature services from Qantas include— fine Australian wines, quality food, and a tiny premium economy section that has ample legroom for the passengers, and a snack bar. For decades, the Australian air carrier has received accolades for the safety it offers and its commitment to top-notch customer service.