14 Best Airlines to Use Around the World When Flying
Whether taking a direct or connecting international flight, you want a safe, smooth, enjoyable traveling experience. It makes all the difference in how your trip starts and ends. The key to this is the quality of the airline you use.
Not all carriers are created equal, and choosing the right one for your journey is crucial. If you plan to travel anywhere worldwide, you’ll want to consider these highly rated international airlines and their benefits.
1. Air France
Air France offers passengers four classes of seating: La Première, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Each one provides fliers with a relaxing experience. The spacious business lounges located at select airports start your trip off right.
Their long-flight cabins are a particular standout. The business class seats are arranged into individual cabins specially designed for working, dining, watching television, and sleeping.
2. Air New Zealand
An award-winning carrier, Air New Zealand flies over 15 million passengers yearly to 48 international and domestic locations. The airline promises a Kiwi experience combining hospitality with customer service.
Air New Zealand offers various amenities, including the option to select your seats, free inflight Wi-Fi, and menus that include local foods and wines. There are also five classes of seating for long-haul flights.
3. All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways is not only a highly respected Japanese airline, it’s also an official ambassador of the Pokémon Air Adventures project from The Pokémon Company. Pokémon fans of all ages will love the chance to fly in one of the Eevee or Pikachu jets.
The interior and exterior of the planes are adorned with Pokémon characters, and the flight attendants wear uniforms matching the theme. Passengers also receive special souvenirs for traveling on one of these special flights.
4. Asiana Airlines
The South Korean carrier’s frequent flyer miles program, the Asiana Club, offers its members mileage whether they fly with Asiana Airlines or one of their partners. The five membership levels, from silver to platinum, have excellent perks.
A generous benefit of being a member of the Asiana Club is the family mileage plan. Up to eight family members can combine their frequent flier miles to earn Club benefits and transfer them if needed.
5. British Airways
One of the oldest airlines in the world, British Airways is committed to providing its customers with unique experiences while flying and on the ground. Customer service is paramount with British Airways.
On land, fliers can enjoy a pre-flight Turbine Martini in the Concorde Lounge at the famed Heathrow Airport or attend the American Express BST Festival. In the sky, passengers flying in the United Kingdom and Europe can choose from various meals from its expansive menu.
6. Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong’s flag carrier is one of the highest-rated airlines today. Although they have lounges around the world, their first and business cabin lounges at Hong Kong International Airport are impressive and world-class.
Its Wing, First lounge, one of two first-class lounges, remains open until the last flight departure and has an exclusive champagne bar and ample privacy. Business class passengers can enjoy themselves at the Pier, Business lounge, with a tea house and 14 private showers.
7. Emirates
The Dubai-based airline in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides a luxurious experience for passengers in all four classes of travel. One of their fringe benefits is a price reduction for student travelers.
Regardless of the reason for travel, students can receive a discount of up to ten percent on Economy and Business class tickets. All that’s needed is proof of school enrollment, such as a school ID or an admissions letter.
8. EVA Air
EVA Air is the carrier you’ll want to use if you ever need to book a flight to or from Taiwan. They’ve even received a rare 5-star rating from SKYTRAX, a high honor in the aviation industry.
On each of the four classes of seating, EVA Air provides superior service to ensure passenger comfort. Its economyclass is the best of other airlines, with roomy, ergonomically designed seating and seasonal food choices on the menu.
9. Garuda Indonesia
In-flight meals are easily one of the most important elements of a flight, especially long-haul ones. Some airplane meals are restaurant-grade, and others are practically inedible. Unfortunately, a bad meal can ruin a flying experience.
With Garuda Indonesia, passengers flying any class can order special meals to meet their specific dietary needs. Thisincludes food to accommodate health issues, religious and dietary practices, and menus for children and toddlers.
10. Iberia Airlines
Prospective tourists concerned about the environmental impact of flying can set their minds at ease when flying Iberia. The Spanish airline is committed to sustainable practices at both the corporate and employee levels.
Iberia has used biofuel for 13 years and set the ambitious goal of having net-zero emissions by 2050. Employees volunteer for sustainability projects like Bosque Iberia (Iberia Forest), planting more than 4,000 trees by the close of 2022.
11. Qantas
Australia’s largest airline, founded in 1920, has an exemplary safety record, a metric all travelers value. Besides being an incredibly safe airline to fly, Qantas is also one of the more innovative carriers when it comes to technology.
Its smartphone app has features like Travel Mode, which starts 72 hours before a flight, and the ability for frequent fliers to update their cabin class, monitor frequent flyer status, and track the location of checked baggage.
12. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways prides itself on providing a high-quality flying experience for travelers in all cabin classes. Flying Economy class doesn’t mean being packed in like sardines with few amenities, at least not on a Qatar Airlines flight.
Passengers in Economy cabins can look forward to some of the most spacious seating in commercial aviation. The airline also provides unlimited beverages, snacks on demand, fine dining, and nearly 4,000 entertainment viewing choices.
13. Singapore Airlines
Worldly excursionists seeking a luxurious flight experience for one or two people can appreciate the Suites offered by Singapore Airlines. They’re a miniature home away from home or a hotel away from the hotel.
The Suites are equipped with leather reclining swivel seats, a divider between rooms, a sliding door, window blinds, lavatories with vanity counters, and a 32-inch touchscreen monitor with noise-canceling headphones.
14. Virgin Atlantic
Compared to other airlines, the 40-year-old Virgin Atlantic is a newbie, but it more than holds its own against the competition with its embracing of innovation. That’s thanks in large part to founder Richard Branson.
Virgin Atlantic flies to 32 locations across five continents. Unlike other airlines, Virgin Atlantic’s Economy, Premium, and Upper-Class cabins each have three levels of accommodations to meet the requirements of all passengers for a pleasantly distinctive travel experience.
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