Sure, you could check out metrics on stuff like punctuality and cleanliness, but the best way to find out how good (or bad) your airline experience will be is to turn to the opinions of actual customers.
And that is precisely what decides the winners of Skytrax’s annual World Airline Awards, which have just landed for 2025. Each year, a massive global customer satisfaction survey gathers flyers’ insights on over 350 different airlines, in order to produce a prestigious global ranking of the world’s best.
Recommended: These are the world’s very best airports.
The winner for 2025? That would be (drum roll, please) Qatar Airways! This is the ninth year the airline has topped the ranking since the awards began back in 1999.
‘This recognition is far more than an award, it is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline,’ said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group CEO, ‘We are equally proud to have been named the Best Airline in the Middle East, to once again hold the title of the World’s Best Business Class, and to be recognized for offering the Best Business Class Airline Lounge experience globally.’
The top five is rounded out by Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and ANA All Nippon Airways, but read on for the full top 20.
These are the 20 best airlines in the world right now
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Korean Air
- Air France
- Japan Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Swiss Int’l Air Lines
- EVA Air
- British Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Virgin Atlantic
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- STARLUX Airlines
- Air Canada
- Iberia
Keep an eye on our travel news page for all the latest on what’s going on in aviation.
Did you see that the greatest outdoor travel destinations have been named in a new ranking?
Plus: Eurostar is launching a new service between two culture-packed European cities.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
