Top 10 Best Airlines Worldwide in 2019

Japan Airlines (JAL) is the second largest airline in Japan, following All Nippon Airways. JAL operates under two brands: Japan Airlines International and Japan Airlines Domestic. The domestic branch handles Japan's extensive network of internal flights, while the international division manages overseas and major domestic routes. On October 1, 2006, Japan Airlines International and Japan Airlines Domestic merged into the unified Japan Airlines International brand.

JAL has the largest fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft in the world (about 76 as of March 2005). It is one of only two Asian airlines flying to Latin America (Malaysia Airlines flies to Buenos Aires, while JAL flies to Ciudad de Mexico and São Paulo). Japan Airlines became a member of the Oneworld alliance on April 1, 2007.

“Japan Airlines’ passenger cabins are exceptionally comfortable, and the meals are delicious. The service is top-notch,” – customer review of Japan Airlines.

EVA Air is a Taiwanese airline headquartered at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, offering passenger and cargo services to destinations across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and North America. A subsidiary of the Evergreen Group, EVA Air is the largest private airline in Taiwan. Its main office is located in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Since its founding in 1989, EVA Air has expanded its operations to include air cargo services, in-flight catering, ground services, aviation engineering, and package tours. The airline's subsidiary, EVA Air Cargo, is linked to Evergreen Group's global shipping network, both by sea and land. EVA's regional and domestic subsidiary, UNI Airways, operates on several short domestic routes in Taiwan. EVA's main competitor is China Airlines. The airline's fleet includes 73 aircraft of various sizes, such as the Airbus A321-200, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Boeing B747-400, and Boeing B777-300ER.

EVA Air is known as a pioneer of premium economy class, a service it first introduced in 1991. The airline was also the first Taiwanese carrier to receive the IATA's IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification for its safety operations. The airline's previous slogan was “Just relax, your home in the air,” while the current one is “Sharing the World, Flying Together.”

“What sets EVA apart from other airlines is the attention to detail. From the pillows to the meals, everything is unique. It’s the little things that made our flight truly special,” – customer review of EVA Air.

Southwest Airlines is the largest low-cost carrier in the United States. It is the third-largest airline in the world by fleet size, with 539 aircraft, all Boeing 737s. Southwest ranks as the sixth-highest in revenue among U.S. airlines and was the world's largest carrier by passenger numbers during the 1990s. The airline operates an average of 3,500 flights daily.

In terms of service, Southwest stands out from its competitors in several ways. There are no baggage fees, and customers can freely cancel or change their flights without additional charges, even after check-in and receiving a boarding pass. Instead of using large, expensive airports in major cities, Southwest often operates from smaller, less costly secondary airports. For instance, instead of flying to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), the airline flies to Dallas Love Field (DAL); instead of Chicago O'Hare International, Southwest uses Chicago Midway International, and instead of New York's JFK, it flies to LaGuardia.

Traditional airlines typically operate with major hub-and-spoke systems, connecting various destinations via central hubs. For example, Vietnam Airlines connects flights through its hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In contrast, Southwest uses a point-to-point model, where there are no large transfer hubs, but instead multiple focus cities where direct connections are made.

“The flights are always on time, and the service is great. This is the best airline I’ve used in the U.S.,” – customer review of Southwest Airlines.

Jet2.com is a low-cost British airline headquartered at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). In addition to its base in Leeds, Jet2 operates from seven other locations: Alicante-Elche Airport (ACL), Belfast International Airport (BFS), East Midlands Airport (EMA), Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Glasgow Airport (GLA), Manchester Airport (MAN), and Newcastle Airport (NCL). The airline plans to offer flights to around 60 destinations across Europe. As a budget carrier, passengers are charged extra for services such as checked baggage, extra legroom seats, in-flight meals, and alcoholic beverages.

“We just returned from Portugal, and all I can say is that Jet2 is an excellent airline. From start to finish, everything was flawless,” – customer review of Jet2

Qatar Airways is a Doha-based airline connecting over 160 destinations worldwide with a fleet of more than 200 aircraft. The airline operates with a hub-and-spoke model, linking its main hub at Hamad International Airport (DOH) with cities across six continents. Qatar Airways is known for its rapid growth and has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star Airline status by Skytrax, joining an exclusive group alongside Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and All Nippon Airways. The airline has been a member of the Oneworld alliance since October 2013.

From its main hub at Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar Airways operates flights to approximately 145 destinations worldwide. Its fleet includes aircraft with two-class cabins (Business and Economy) as well as three-class cabins (First, Business, and Economy). Seats in both Business and First class can convert into fully-flat beds. For premium passengers flying from Hamad International, Qatar Airways offers the exclusive Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge. A second lounge is available at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

“I’ve flown with Qatar many times, and it’s definitely one of the best airlines. The service is always outstanding, no matter which class you’re flying. Their attention to detail for frequent flyers is really impressive. Plus, there’s so much in-flight entertainment to enjoy,” – customer review of Qatar Airways.

Azul Brazilian Airlines, or simply Azul, is both a national carrier and a low-cost airline in Brazil. The airline is headquartered in Barueri, with its main hubs at Viracopos International Airport, Tancredo Neves International Airport, and Santos Dumont Airport. Azul operates a network of approximately 100 domestic destinations, serving major cities like Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia, and São Paulo, as well as smaller and more remote markets.

On Azul flights, passengers are offered complimentary light snacks such as chips, cookies, and pastries, along with beverages like coffee, tea, soft drinks, or water. For business class passengers, meals include options like pasta with cheese or cheese pastries.

“Azul is a fantastic airline with impressive service. I’ll definitely be flying with them again,” – customer review of Azul.

Korean Air is the largest airline in South Korea and one of the largest carriers in Asia. It operates flights across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, and previously South America, with Incheon International Airport serving as its hub. The airline competes with the younger, smaller Asiana Airlines. Korean Air is a 4-Star airline according to Skytrax, and it is known for offering excellent service across all cabin classes, including Economy, Business, and First Class. The airline is particularly popular for flights to the United States.

“We flew from Chicago to Hong Kong with our child, and the flight with Korean Air was one of the best parts of the trip. Even in Economy class, we felt incredibly comfortable. The staff was always friendly and treated us with great kindness. I’ll definitely be flying with Korean Air again in the future,” – customer review of Korean Air.

Singapore Airlines is the national carrier of Singapore, with its main hub located at Changi International Airport. The airline holds a strong presence in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific region. It operates some of the longest flights in the world, including routes from Singapore to Los Angeles and Newark aboard the Airbus A340-500.

Founded in 1947 as Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines has since evolved into a global leader in passenger and cargo services. Today, the airline boasts a fleet of over 100 modern aircraft, and it offers the longest flight route in the world from Singapore to Los Angeles.

With a strategy focused on expanding its market share and customer base, Singapore Airlines ranks second in the global airline industry. Holding a 5-star rating for service, the airline is a proud member of the Star Alliance network. The airline is also known for its diverse and regional culinary offerings. On long-haul flights, passengers can enjoy locally-inspired meals such as Kyo-Kaiseki, Shi Quan Shi Mei, and Shahi Thali in First Class on flights to Japan, China, and India. Additionally, Singapore Airlines introduced the Fare Popular program, offering popular local dishes to passengers across all cabins on selected routes.

“I flew from Sydney to Singapore in Business Class. The food was absolutely amazing, some of the best I’ve had in 10 years. The service was top-notch, and the staff were incredibly attentive. If not the best, it is definitely one of the best airlines in the world,” – customer review of Singapore Airlines.

Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline of New Zealand, based in Auckland. The airline operates flights to 27 domestic destinations and 26 international locations across 14 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Its network focuses heavily on Australia and the South Pacific. The airline’s main hub is Auckland International Airport, situated south of the city, near Mangere.

Founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the airline initially focused on flights between New Zealand and Australia. In 1966, the New Zealand government took full ownership of TEAL, renaming it Air New Zealand. Although privatized in 1989, it was re-nationalized in 2001 after a failed attempt to merge with Ansett Australia. In 2008, the airline carried 11.7 million passengers.

Air New Zealand operates a variety of aircraft including Boeing 747s, 767s, 777s, and Airbus A320s for long-haul flights, as well as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s for domestic services. Its subsidiaries, such as Air Nelson, Eagle Airways, and Mount Cook Airlines, also operate regional flights. In 2009, the airline was ranked the 8th best airline in the world by Skytrax.

“The flight attendants were incredibly friendly, courteous, and professional, with great attention to passengers. The dinner was excellent, even in economy class. Even the safety video was entertaining. I’ll definitely only fly with Air New Zealand for my trips from New Zealand to the U.S. in the future,” – customer review of Air New Zealand.

Emirates is one of the two flagship carriers of the United Arab Emirates, alongside Etihad Airways, with its base in Dubai. The airline operates nearly 550 flights weekly, connecting 87 cities across 59 countries including Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. Emirates SkyCargo handles its freight operations. The airline's main hub is Dubai International Airport.

Founded in May 1985 by the Dubai government, Emirates began operations with flights to Mumbai, Delhi, and Karachi, using an Airbus A300 and a Boeing 737-300 leased from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Over the years, Emirates received newer aircraft, including Boeing 727-200 Advanced planes from the UAE Royal Flight, before transitioning to modern wide-body jets like the Airbus A300-600R and A310-300.

“This airline is truly first-class and incredibly comfortable. Everything I expected and more was delivered. From the presentation to the service, everything was professional. The price was also quite reasonable. The Airbus planes are large, with spacious cabins and wide windows, making the flight even more pleasant,” – customer review of Emirates.