This Is the Absolute Best International Airline Now
Heading overseas? In most cases, you can expect to be stuck in your seat for far longer than you'd like; you may well also have to splash out more cash than on a domestic trip. Even the best international flights can leave you a bit bored; on the worst, you'll wind up tired, uncomfortable, and maybe even late.
For those reasons, choosing the right international airline can make all the difference for travelers who will spend a longer time in the air. To find the best international airline for economy travelers, Money evaluated 70 of the largest international carriers on factors such as cost and fees, customer experience, and flight performance. We found that Asian airlines dominated the top of the list, largely because of standout performance on customer experience. (Also read The 9 Biggest U.S. Airlines, Ranked From Best to Worst.)
What follows is the best international airline overall, as well as the rest of the top 30; we also highlighted the best international airlines for several separate regions.
The Best International Airline: Singapore Airlines
Average price of roundtrip flight: $1,081
Anyone who’s traveled on a Singapore Airlines flight knows the luxury experience that awaits—even in economy class. Renowned for their exceptional in-flight staff and amenities, this airline tops Money’s list of best international airlines for the third year in a row; it's held the top spot on sister publication Travel + Leisure’s world’s best survey for 22 years.
Cabin crew undergo a four-month training process, one of the longest in the industry, which covers everything from etiquette to wine appreciation. Travelers get hot towels before takeoff and personal TVs that offer more than 1,000 movies, TV shows, music options, and games. Even the food has been meticulously crafted: Because cabin pressure can alter how you perceive taste, Singapore tests all dishes first in a simulated pressurized cabin to ensure no flavor is amiss.
One of the best perks of this international airline: the space. On its 777 and A350 planes, there are only nine seats per row—other airlines typically squeeze in 10 on the same aircraft. And premium economy travelers enjoy generous 19.5 inch-wide seats that recline eight inches and have footrests. The price tag may seem like a splurge, but if you factor in the distance traveled, the cost works out to only 11 cents per kilometer, Rome2rio finds—one of the cheapest rates in the industry.
2. Thai Airways International
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $796
3. Asiana Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $862
4. SilkAir
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $401
5. Qatar Airways
**Regional Winner: Middle East
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $989
State-owned Qatar Airways dominates in the Middle East thanks to its top-rated customer service, entertainment, and food offerings. Despite flying to more than 150 destinations across six continents, it also maintains one of the best on-time records.
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,026
7. Lufthansa
**Regional Winner: Europe
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $499
Europe’s largest airline company is also its best. The German airline impresses travelers with its in-flight experience, scoring high on food, seat comfort and entertainment options. Economy fliers will like the free meals and snacks and the wider seats (15.7 inches) offered on long-haul flights.
8. Korean Air
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,135
9. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $434
10. Swiss
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $491
11. Norwegian Air
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $263
12. Aeroflot
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $630
13. Emirates
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,051
14. Qantas Airways
**Regional Winner: Australia/Oceania
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,227
Australia-based Qantas tops its region thanks to a dip in flight prices, a solid loyalty program, and highly rated inflight service. Money's favorite perk? A self-service snack bar open to anyone in the international economy cabin.
15. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,296
16. Japan Airlines (JAL)
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,202
17. Aegean Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $278
18. China Southern Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $978
19. Porter Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $321
20. Turkish Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $614
21. EVA Air
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $923
22. CSA Czech Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $258
23. Air New Zealand
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,253
24. Royal Jordanian
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $669
25. Aer Lingus
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $794
26. COPA Airlines
**Regional Winner: Latin America
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $815
If you want to arrive on time, fly COPA. The Panama-based airline ranks as the most punctual in Latin America and the fourth most punctual in the world, according to FlightStats and the Official Airline Guide.
27. Etihad Airways
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $1,010
28. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $312
29. El Al Israel Airlines
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $587
30. British Airways
Average price of a roundtrip flight: $441
Methodology
The pool of airlines considered included 70 of the largest international airlines. Criteria included average fare costs, year-over-year ticket pricing changes, and cost per kilometer for passengers; number of on-time arrivals; and customer satisfaction ratings for seat comfort, food and drink, entertainment, service, amenities, and overall value. Data providers included FlightStats, J.D. Power, Rome2rio, SkyTrax, and Travel + Leisure. Money ranked the top 30 carriers overall, but also highlighted the best international airline in each region.
With additional reporting by Sergei Klebnikov