AirlineRatings launched in June 2013 and rates the safety and in-flight product of 450 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. It has been used by millions of passengers from 232 countries and has become the industry standard for safety and product rating.
www.AirlineRatings.com editors have carefully examined the offerings and in-flight service of over 450 airlines and announce their Top Ten.
Only two airlines — Qantas and Singapore Airlines — have made it into the Top Ten in each of the four categories, while Air New Zealand*, Cathay Pacific Airways and Etihad* made the Top Ten in three of the categories.
Luxury Air Travel
photo credit Etihad Airways
The winners are in alphabetical order:
- First Class:
All Nippon Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss and Thai International
- Business Class:
Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia/Atlantic
- Premium Economy:
Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic/Virgin Australia
- Long Haul Economy Class:
Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, Etihad, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways
Commentating on the selection AirlineRatings.com Editor-In-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said that it was “not surprising that Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, Etihad Airways and the Virgin Group featured so significantly in the Top Ten selections.”
“These airlines are consistently a byword for in-flight excellence and service,” said Mr Thomas. “They are the trendsetters and the industry looks to what they are doing next.”
“Qantas invented business class in 1979, Singapore Airlines has led the industry in inflight entertainment and free drinks for all passengers, Virgin Atlantic was amongst the first with premium economy, Air New Zealand has won countless awards for its economy Skycouch and premium economy Spaceseat which it designed, while Etihad has reinvented first class,” said Mr Thomas.
