With fees on the rise and service quality on the decline, flying commercial these days can be an unpleasant experience. Fortunately for fliers, some airlines still put customers first.
We found the world's best airlines for flying economy class, and, for the second year in a row, Singapore Airlines has taken the top spot on our list.
To create this annual list, we devised a ranking system based on the two most important factors for a pleasant trip: an enjoyable experience in the plane, and timely departure and arrival. We looked at dozens of major international airlines that fly long-haul routes, and evaluated the quality of the economy-class flying experience (based on data from leading airline reviewer Skytrax) and the airline's on-time performance (based on data from Flightstats.com).
We combined data from the two categories to come up with an overall score for each airline. Ratings are out of 100 points.
Click here to see the full methodology.
20. Austrian Airlines
In-Flight Experience: 75
On-Time Performance: 82
Though the Lufthansa-owned airline has been rocked by a protracted series of labor disputes, its high level of service seems to have remained intact. The Austrian flag carrier boasts a fleet of newly renovated long-haul Boeing 767-300ER and 777-200 jets flying out of its Vienna base.
Economy fliers gave the Star Alliance member high marks for its efficient and effective service as well as the wealth of on-board dining and entertainment options. While the airline may provide good in-flight service, it is Austrian's stellar on-time performance rating of 82 that pushed it past many of its contemporaries to take the final spot on our list.
See additional airline information at Skytrax and Flightstats.com. Read our full methodology here.
19. Swiss International Airways
In-Flight Experience: 75
On-Time Performance: 83
Another member of the Lufthansa corporate family, Swiss International emerged in 2002 from the remnants of the now-defunct Swissair. The Basel-based airline employs a relatively young fleet of Airbus A330-300 and A340-300 wide-body jets for long-haul routes.
Though some fliers found economy-seat comfort to be lacking, most praised the cabin crew for its friendly service and the airline's wide assortment of complementary adult beverages. Like its corporate cousin Austrian Airlines, Swiss, too, differentiated itself from a crowded glut of competitors by living up to its national stereotype and posting a superb 83 on-time rating.
See additional airline information at Skytrax and Flightstats.com. Read our full methodology here.
18. Virgin Australia
In-Flight Experience: 77
On-Time Performance: 81
As the biggest airline in billionaire Richard Branson's portfolio of Virgin brands, Virgin Australia has experienced massive growth in the Asia-Pacific market since its founding in 2000.
In typical Virgin fashion, the airline's fleet of long-haul Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 jets come bathed in interior mood lighting and features a state-of-the-art 9-inch touchscreen entertainment system.
See additional airline information at Skytrax and Flightstats.com. Read our full methodology here.
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