Fly Every Sort of Sky in Safety and Comfort
About a decade and a half ago, I found myself complaining about an airline flight to a friend who happened to be a pastor. The trip had featured delays, lost luggage, a marginally clean cabin, all of the usual inconveniences. But instead of getting sympathy from him, I received what would charitably be called a kind-hearted rebuke.
“I will never complain about a plane ride ever again,” he said. Then he proceeded to tell me about an airline he’d flown in Africa. It involved hours sitting on the tarmac. An uncommunicative crew. And, uh, on-board livestock. “We cannot comprehend how good we have it here when it comes to air travel.”
True enough. Yet most of us would really rather pick an excellent airline given the choice. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, we’d prefer to find ourselves on a plane that arrives on time, offers some nice amenities and gets us where we want to go when we want to go there — preferably with our luggage.
So read on to learn how you can fly every sort of sky in safety and style with this rundown of the best airlines in the world.
Best American Airlines
North America only comprises about 16.5% of the world’s total landmass. Yet it has a disproportionate share of airlines, totaling around 100. That means you’ll need to pick wisely when it comes to booking your flight. If you’re traveling by air in the United States, you could do far worse than…
Alaska Airlines/Virgin America
When I flew directly from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco several years ago, I took a Virgin America flight and truly enjoyed it. Quirky plane styling, friendly staff both in flight and on the ground and a hassle-free trip made it surprisingly enjoyable.
So imagine my surprise when I learned that the airline had up and vanished. I shouldn’t have been concerned, though: Virgin launched its final flight on April 24, 2018 and has since merged with Alaska Airlines.
Alaska may not have the idiosyncratic color scheme or chic uniforms of Virgin. But it’s not slouch in the satisfaction department. Over the past few years, newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and pundits like Brian Kelly (aka The Points Guy) gave the airline their coveted top spot.
Why? Alaska flights are consistently on time, fairly priced and have a great frequent flyer program. The company also does a good job at keeping you connected with your bags.
Southwest
The orange-and-blue planes of Southwest have long made the company a flyer favorite. So has its joke-cracking pilots and generous free bag policy. (You can check up to two bags free of charge, a rarity in the industry. That includes golf bags and skis.)
You’d think such freebies would boost ticket prices. But that hasn’t happened with Southwest. The Dallas-based airline still ranks well for low airfares.
Also, the days of Southwest staying, well, pretty much in the Southwest have largely disappeared. With some 4,000 flights daily, Southwest can get you to almost any state in the union. It also has a growing roster of international stops, which includes destinations such as Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico.
JetBlue
Long considered one of America’s top airlines to fly on a budget, JetBlue has received both recommendations and ire from pundits in recent years. The Points Guy dinged it for its fee structure and a tendency to arrive late. Also, its network isn’t as large as Southwest’s or bigger airlines.
Those criticisms may all be true, but they’re hardly the sum and substance of JetBlue. Though it might not travel to all 50 states, it has numerous flights throughout the United States, as well as legs to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Passengers can still check a first bag for free, too.
Where JetBlue really shines is in its in-flight entertainment. Every flight offers free WiFi, so you can keep browsing from one gate to the next. There’s Sirius XM Radio, too, and name-brand snacks, not the generic stuff that tastes like sawdust. And when it comes to JetBlue, the price is almost always among the lowest.
Best Canadian Airlines
The True North Strong and Free is a big place geographically speaking. How big? Well, it’s the second largest country by land mass in the world, beaten out only by Russia.
But it lacks the diversity of air carriers that characterizes its neighbor down south. In fact, if you ignore its smattering of regional airlines, Canada is left with only a handful of major airlines. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get have a great experience traveling around North America’s most cordial nation.
Air Canada
Air Canada is the nation’s largest airline, and a JD Power survey showed that it significantly increased its customer-satisfaction scores, putting it within striking distance of top traditional American companies such as Delta. Though it does charge for checked baggage on all North American flights, your first bag is free for international legs.
It also offers ample entertainment options, including audiobooks and podcasts. Expect satellite-connected WiFi on its long-haul flights.
WestJet
Interestingly, low-cost leader WestJet actually scored a little better with customers than Air Canada. Chalk it up to those lower ticket prices. WestJet may not have all of the bells and whistles of more tricked-out carriers, but it will save you some money. Also, it boasts an impressive number of stops, including flights to Florida, the Caribbean and Cuba.
Although Canadian carriers are somewhat limited, you still have options. If you’d prefer not to travel on Air Canada or WestJet, check and see if any United States-based airlines are heading to your final destination. You may have more options than you imagine.
Whether you're flying with skis, golf clubs, or a musical instrument this guide will help you pack and prepare for your flight.
Best European Airlines
The situation couldn’t be more different in Europe, which has almost as many airlines as the United States. Some of the best among them include…
Lufthansa
Europe’s biggest airport is also one of its best. In 2018, AirHelp — a company that aids EU flyers in dealing with cancellations or delays — gave Lufthansa some of its highest marks. Yet good scores for on-time performance, high-quality service and prompt processing of claims aren’t the only reasons to fly it.
For one thing, Lufthansa offers lots of flights, and its service area stretches from Buenos Aires to Singapore. You won’t have to worry about taking a trip on a beat up plane, either. While not all of its aircraft are brand new, Lufthansa has an expansive fleet, including lots of 747-8s (the world’s longest plane).
Additionally, the airline offers lots of little perks. Food available on every flight. Free drinks and dinner on international flights. Pre-stored water bottles and amenities kits for Premium Economy seats. And Lufthansa was the first to offer in-flight internet, although it does charge a tariff for its use.
Austrian Airlines
Though Austrian Airlines has existed in one form or another since 1957, it hasn’t always topped the “Best European Airline” lists. An awkward merger with Lufthansa in 2009 and subsequent labor dispute dinged its public image. Yet revitalization efforts in 2015 helped restore the airline to its former glory.
A raft of plane renovations combined with plenty of entertainment options and reasonably priced tickets have made it a favorite of economy travelers. AirHelp also gave it top marks for claim processing, which sets Austrian apart as something of a consumer advocate. Then there’s the innovative way in which the company approaches upgrades.
Rather than nickel and dime you for every add-on like so many America carriers, Austrian has instituted a bidding system for seat upgrades. Enter your preferred price, and the airline will let you know 72 hours prior to your flight if it has accepted your bid. Who knows? You may snag business class for mere pennies — or, rather, euros.
Virgin Atlantic
While Virgin America may have vanished into the ether, Virgin Atlantic is still going strong. Yet it doesn’t boast some of the traditional metrics that might make you think it’s a great airline.
For instance, it only services 30 destinations, hardly a ton of stops for a hemisphere-spanning airline. It operates roughly 40 planes. And Virgin Group, its parent company, only owns about 20% of the company. (Delta has a majority share at 49%.)
So what makes Virgin Atlantic so noteworthy? Service and style. Billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s EU brainchild keeps all of the funky stylings I loved so much in its American counterpart. That extends to its plane names, which include quirky monikers such as Lucy in the Sky, Ladybird, Hot Lips and Emmeline Heaney.
For passengers, that style translates into pampering that begins before flights even board. Virgin America clubhouses offer drinks, food and even spa services in multiple airports. Even rock-bottom economy fares include free food. And airline review consultants Skytrax gave its customer service high ratings across all fare types in every area except language skills.
Best Luxury Airlines
Perhaps you’ve noticed a bit of an organizational leap in this article. After all, it began by listing worthy airlines according to geography, but now it has jumped to a topic after covering less than half of the world. There’s a reason for that: Asia and the Middle East contain some of the most posh airlines. Just look at…
Emirates Airline
In 2016, YouTube star Casey Neistat uploaded a video that documented his first-class trip from Dubai to New York on Emirates. As of press time, it has racked up more than 54 million views, and it’s not hard to see why: it allows plebs like me a glimpse into unimaginable mid-air luxury.
Pundits love to debate about which airline pampers passengers the most, yet Emirates consistently receives high marks. Why? First-class passengers know they’ll get treated like VIPs. Automated isolation doors. Private mini bars. A digital touch television bigger than any other on a plane. Caviar. An on-board shower (yes, you read that correctly). It’s an experience unlike any other.
Even economy seats come with special touches. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks (including beer and liquor), and the flight attendants can help accommodate any dietary restrictions. In-seat entertainment options include 3,500 movies and television channels. Children receive specialized services such as tailored activity packs.
Singapore Airlines
What do you end up with when you get a French designer of high-end yachts to design your first-class suites and throw $570 million at revamping your cabin service? The stellar experience of Singapore Airlines.
The tiny city-state of Singapore may only encompass about 275 square miles, but the airline that carries its name knows how to go big. Here’s an example of how: the carrier was the first to fly the Airbus A380-800, the world’s largest commercial plane. In fact, it’s so large that couples flying first-class on a long haul can shift the modular walls of their pods into one giant suite and combine their beds into a mattress that sleeps two.
Skytrax gave Singapore Airlines its coveted “Five-Star Airline” award, and do you know what’s the best part? Economy class ranked just as high as first-class.
Etihad Airways
When having a single room all to yourself sounds just too stifling, it’s time to book on Etihad Airways. Though Singapore may have been the first to fly the palatial A380, Etihad one upped them with its top fare. How? Allow me to introduce you to The Residence.
Etihad cleared enough space in the A380s it flies from Abu Dhabi to New York, London, Melbourne, Sydney and Paris for the installation of a three-room suite. Forget the 30-minute time limit in an on-board shower that Emirates imposes. If you book a trip in The Residence, you get your own shower and living room — and butler.
Cathay Pacific Airways
Trust free-market-friendly Hong Kong to combine high-end comforts with practicality. Individual suites. Luxurious bedding. An office area. Menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs. Automatic access to the carrier’s Hong Kong travelers lounge. A first-class fare grants you all this and more.
But Cathay Pacific also features a premium-economy class that Luxurylaunches’ Dhiram Shah called “the sweet spot between luxury and affordable.” The airline travels to five continents with multiple stops in mainland China. And it conducted the first trans-polar flight route from Hong Kong to New York.