These Are the Best International Airlines in 2024, According to T+L Readers
Asian and Middle Eastern carriers dominate the rankings of the best international airlines in our "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2024.
After a monumental shake-up last year, which saw a 27-year veteran deposed from its top spot by a relative youngster, things have pretty much returned to normal. Said veteran is back on top, though its former usurper is hot on its heels. Elsewhere on the list, you'll primarily find iconic Asian and Middle Eastern carriers that show up on this list year after year.
Courtesy of Singapore Airlines
How Voting Works
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Airlines were specifically rated on the criteria below:
Cabin comfort
In-flight service
Customer service
Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved
Is it any surprise that all long-haul travelers want a pleasant experience? Overall, our readers sought comfort, hospitality, and a good bite to eat — something each airline on this list offers its passengers.
In our top five, we've had a little shuffle compared to last year. Most notably, Singapore Airlines is once again our champion, besting last year's winner (and this year's runner-up), French boutique airline La Compagnie. But just barely — Singapore Airlines only scored one one-hundredth of a point higher.
One of the main differentiators between Singapore Airlines (a WBA Hall of Fame honoree) and La Compagnie is the price. "Not the cheapest option, but nice flights with great service," wrote one voter of Singapore Airlines. On the other hand, La Compagnie — which has all business-class seats — had one voter praising the "great value, excellent service, and amazing food."
The remaining three airlines did make last year's list, but the order has shifted. In 2024, Emirates (also a WBA Hall of Fame honoree) took No. 3; All Nippon Airways (ANA) No. 4, and Qatar Airways (another WBA Hall of Fame honoree) No. 5.
Interestingly, it's not only the in-flight experience that matters to our readers. "Exceptional in-flight and on-the-ground service," wrote one voter. "I arranged an extra-long (10-hour) layover just to enjoy the Doha Al Mourjan lounge."
If you're curious about which other airlines our readers loved, you can see them all below. And before you go, we'd like to leave you with one tidbit: Each of the 15 international airlines on this list scored higher than nine of the top 10 domestic airlines.
The Winner
Singapore Airlines
Courtesy of Singapore Airlines
After Singapore Airlines (SIA) struggled with pandemic-related operational issues, it has come back and better than ever. "I was shocked at how incredible the experience was. I wish I could fly this airline everywhere," wrote one voter. Fortunately, you can fly SIA to more than 70 destinations around the world. Our readers praised the airline's excellent service, specifically complimenting the food on board and each aircraft's cleanliness. "They care about details," one voter noted. And that's a very important thing when you're operating the world's largest commercial aircraft (the A380) and flying the world's longest route (just shy of 19 hours, New York to Singapore).
"I was shocked at how incredible the experience was. I wish I could fly this airline everywhere,"
The Full List
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 90.89
2. La Compagnie
Reader Score: 90.88
3. Emirates
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 90.02
Reader Score: 89.84
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 89.26
6. Korean Air
Reader Score: 86.61
Reader Score: 86.26
Reader Score: 85.98
Reader Score: 85.96
10. EVA Air
Reader Score: 84.85
11. Air New Zealand
Reader Score: 84.12
12. Turkish Airlines
Reader Score: 83.78
13. Cayman Airways
Reader Score: 83.33
14. Asiana Airlines
Reader Score: 83.23
15. Air Tahiti Nui
Reader Score: 82.75
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