Following in-depth analysis on passenger comfort, feedback, and product consistency – the world’s best airlines has been revealed, and it’s probably not what you expected
The world’s best airline has been crowned – and it isn’t Qatar or Etihad. The Middle Eastern operators, which are famed for their luxury service and efficiency, were actually pipped by an operator you may have never even heard of.
Every year AirlineRatings releases its top list of the world’s best airlines, analysing data around passenger comfort, feedback and product consistency. Airlines aren’t ranked by how popular they may be with the public, but rather by what they actually offer passengers.
The 2025 list refers only to full-service airlines, also known as full-service carriers (FSC) which tend to offer a wide range of amenities. This includes complimentary meals, cabin classes (premium economy, business, first etc) and in-flight entertainment systems. As a result, you’ll not see any ultra-budget airlines like Ryanair and Jet2 – who are featured in a separate list of the top 20 Low-Cost Airlines for 2025 (which we’ve also included in this article).
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Top 25 Full-Service Airlines in 2025
- Korean Air
- Qatar
- Air New Zealand
- Cathay Pacific
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Qantas
- Etihad
- Turkish Airlines
- EVA Air
- Fiji Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- ANA
- Aero Mexico
- Air Caraibes
- Thai Airways
- STARLUX Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Sri Lankan Airlines
- Air France
- KLM (the airline is trialling a Hybrid model on some routes)
- Air Calin
- Air Mauritius
- Garuda Indonesia
With direct flights from the UK to Seoul, Korean Air was hailed for its ‘exceptional focus’ on passenger comfort. Even in Economy Class, the operator leads the way with seat pitches of 33-34 inches – so you’re not rubbing shoulders with the stranger sitting next to you.
“Unlike many competitors, the airline has resisted reducing seat space, ensuring a more comfortable travel experience,” AirlineRatings said. “Korean Air’s thoughtful touches, such as slippers and generous meal portions on long-haul flights, enhanced its appeal.” The airline, which was established back in 1969 and operated a staggering 678,489 flights last year, was also praised for its ‘financial stability’ following a merger with Asiana Airlines.
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Top 20 Low-Cost Airlines for 2025
- AirAsia
- Jetstar
- AirBaltic
- HK Express
- Easyjet
- FlyDubai
- Ryanair
- Scoot
- Breeze
- Southwest
- SKY Airline
- FlyNas
- TUI
- Norwegian
- Indi GO
- Air Arabia
- Volaris
- Jet2
- Wizz
- Vueling
Low-cost carriers were ranked slightly differently, marked on their offerings for affordable on-board services such as meals, drinks, and snacks. Additional services like Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment were also taken into consideration. “The highest-ranked low-cost carriers offer exceptionally low base fares and maintain an excellent route network,” AirlineRatings added. “These airlines must also meet rigorous safety standards, including a seven-star safety rating.”
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