Top Airlines 2024: World's Best Carriers Revealed

What are the top airlines in 2024? The Skytrax World Airline Awards, known as the "Oscars of commercial aviation," have released their rankings. They highlight the best airlines in the world. Over 21 million passengers in 100 countries voted for more than 350 airlines¹. This survey gives travelers key insights for the best flying experience in 2024.

So, what makes these airlines stand out? What factors lead to their success? And how do they meet the needs of today's travelers? The question on everyone's mind is: Which airlines are the top performers in 2024?

Key Takeaways

• Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year 2024, its eighth win in 25 years¹.
• Turkish Airlines was ranked as the Best Airline in Europe, serving over 300 destinations¹.
• Delta Air Lines was declared the best airline in North America for its attentive staff¹.
• AirAsia was the top budget airline for the 14th year in a row¹.
• European carriers made up six of the top 10 best budget airlines in 2024¹.

Unveiling the Airline of the Year 2024

The Skytrax rankings have named Qatar Airways the Airline of the Year 2024 for the eighth year in a row². This Middle Eastern carrier stands out for its top-notch service, new features, and green aircraft²³.

Qatar Airways Soars to the Top

Qatar Airways flies to 341 airports on six continents, making it a key player in global air travel². Its use of the Boeing 777X, which is 20% more efficient, shows its commitment to green flying².

Exceptional Service and Innovation

Qatar Airways is known for its outstanding in-flight service. It offers top business class, great food, and unique features like "Aroma Therapy" to reduce stress²³.

"Qatar Airways has once again demonstrated its unwavering dedication to delivering an exceptional travel experience for its passengers. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and exceptional service has solidified their position as the world's best airline."

With a record 47 billion passengers expected in 2024², Qatar Airways will likely stay a leader in aviation. It's setting the bar high for the best airlines worldwide²³.

Best Airlines in Europe for 2024

No European airlines made the top five globally, but many did well in the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards⁴. Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe for its wide network of over 300 destinations and top-notch business class catering⁴. The Air France-KLM Group also did great, with Air France winning awards for the World's Best First Class Catering and more⁴. Swiss International Air Lines took second place, getting the award for the World's Best First Class Lounge.

Turkish Airlines Leads the Pack

Turkish Airlines is the top airline in Europe⁴. It has a huge global network and award-winning business class. Passengers in Turkish Airlines' premium cabins get amazing dining and top-notch service.

Air France-KLM Group Shines Bright

The Air France-KLM Group, with airlines from France and the Netherlands, did very well in the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards⁴. Air France won awards for its first class, showing its commitment to luxury air travel.

Airline	Ranking	Award
Turkish Airlines	1	Best Airline in Europe
Air France	2	World's Best First Class Catering, Best First Class Lounge Dining, Best Airline in Western Europe
Swiss International Air Lines	3	World's Best First Class Lounge

The 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards show the excellence of European carriers, with Turkish Airlines and the Air France-KLM Group leading⁴⁵⁶. These airlines set the standard for luxury air travel, offering top experiences for travelers.

North American Airlines on the Global Stage

No North American airlines were in the top 10 globally, but Delta Air Lines was the Best in North America. It was praised for its great staff and customer service⁷. Delta's success shows how North American airlines are working hard to improve their services.

Delta Air Lines: Best in North America

Delta Air Lines was the top North American carrier, showing its commitment to top-notch airline services⁸. It had a revenue of $53.99 billion and assets of $73.13 billion in January 2023. This made Delta a strong player worldwide⁸.

Delta's focus on making customers happy helped it become the Best Airline in North America⁷. Its staff, new amenities, and focus on great experiences won over passengers. This made Delta a top choice among international airlines.

North American airlines are getting better in the global market. Airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines are also aiming for more international travelers⁷⁹. But Delta's success is especially notable, showing it can compete with global airlines and offer great services.

After the pandemic, North American carriers are set to shine globally. Delta Air Lines is leading as the Best Airline in the region⁷⁸⁹.

Airline	Available Seat Miles (ASMs) in April 2024	Flights in April 2024	Seats Offered in April 2024
United Airlines (UA)	25,586,308,4017	N/A	N/A
American Airlines (AA)	N/A	178,8787	22,691,0877
Emirates (EK)	18,077,349,4307	N/A	N/A
Southwest Airlines (WN)	15,083,550,6387	N/A	N/A

The table shows how well North American airlines are doing. United Airlines leads in seat miles, and American Airlines has the most flights and seats in April 2024⁷. International airlines like Emirates also stand out, showing the global strength of the airline industry.

"Delta Air Lines' commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation has propelled it to the forefront of North American aviation, setting a new standard for premium airline services."

As the airline industry changes, North American carriers like Delta Air Lines will keep making a mark globally. They offer a great choice for travelers, showing the region's aviation excellence⁷⁸⁹.

Rising Stars: Most Improved Airlines

In the world of flying, some airlines have really shone by making big strides. Saudia and Starlux Airlines are two examples. They're seen as the top two airlines that have gotten better¹⁰.

Saudia is the airline of Saudi Arabia. It has changed a lot, getting great reviews for its service and new features. By investing in better planes, seats, and training for staff, Saudia has become a top choice for travelers¹¹.

Starlux Airlines is newer but has quickly made a mark. Based in Taiwan, it focuses on giving passengers a top-notch experience. This includes using the latest tech, serving great food, and offering excellent service¹¹.

Being named the best improved airlines of 2024 shows their hard work and ability to change with the times. Saudia and Starlux are setting new standards for making customers happy and running smoothly. They're expected to be big names in the airline world¹⁰.

Airline	Improvement Ranking	Key Highlights
Saudia	1st	Exceptional service, innovative offerings, strategic fleet and cabin investments
Starlux Airlines	2nd	Commitment to superior customer experience, focus on technology and dining

Saudia and Starlux Airlines are now known as the top airlines that have gotten better in 2024. This shows their strong commitment to making flying better for everyone¹⁰¹¹.

"Saudia and Starlux have set a new benchmark for airline improvement, showcasing their ability to adapt and innovate in an increasingly competitive industry."

The success of these airlines is inspiring others to focus on what passengers want. They're showing that by putting customers first, airlines can make big improvements and lead in the most improved airlines 2024 rankings¹⁰¹¹¹².

Best airlines 2024 in the world: The Top 10 Revealed

The airline industry has seen a big comeback in 2024. Airlines around the globe are showing their best. The top airlines for 2024 have been announced, with a mix of carriers leading the pack.

Qatar Airways is at the top for 2024¹³. This airline from the Middle East is known for its great service and new ideas. Korean Air is right behind, showing how Asian airlines are making a mark worldwide¹³.

Cathay Pacific Airways is also in the top three, proving it's one of the best in the world¹³. Air New Zealand and Emirates follow, making the top five even stronger¹³.

Other airlines are also doing great, like JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, placing 16 to 18¹³. But, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines are lower down, at 23, 24, and 25¹⁴.

In the low-cost airline category, Southwest is the top in the Americas, Fly Dubai in the Middle East, and AirAsia Group in Asia¹³. Jetstar Group and EasyJet are the best in Australia/Pacific and Europe, respectively¹³.

Some airlines have made big improvements, like Vietjet, which won awards for being the best in several areas¹³. Big names like Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, and Air France also did well, showing their dedication to quality¹⁴.

The rankings show how resilient the industry is, despite challenges. Issues with Boeing and the Singapore Airlines incident didn't affect the results much¹³. Airbus and Boeing had the same number of incidents¹³.

The 2024 rankings highlight the industry's drive for excellence. These leading airlines set a high standard, motivating everyone to aim for greatness.

Best First and Business Class Experiences

In the world of premium air travel, two airlines stand out. Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways offer top-notch first and business class experiences. They are known for their luxury, comfort, and service, making flying a special treat¹⁵.

Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways Reign Supreme

Singapore Airlines won the award for the World's Best First Class. This shows their commitment to luxury in the skies¹⁵. Qatar Airways got the title of the World's Best Business Class, proving they're leaders in premium cabins¹⁵. Both airlines focus on what travelers want, setting high standards in the industry.

They offer amazing service, top amenities, and comfort. Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have won the hearts of those who love flying first class¹⁵. Their drive for innovation and excellence has made them top choices for 2024¹⁵.

"Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have consistently delivered the best first and business class experiences, setting a new benchmark for luxury and service in the skies."

Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways lead in the premium cabin world¹⁵. Singapore Airlines is the best in Asia for first class, and Qatar Airways is the top in the Middle East¹⁵. They also win for the best first class lounges in their regions¹⁵.

These airlines are the top picks for luxury and comfort in flying¹⁵. Their focus on excellence and customer happiness makes them the best choices for travelers¹⁵. They're set to stay at the top in 2024 and beyond¹⁵.

Category	Winner	Runner-up	Third Place
Best First Class Airline Seat	Singapore Airlines	ANA All Nippon Airways	Emirates
Best First Class Onboard Catering	Air France	Singapore Airlines	Swiss International Air Lines
Best First Class Airline Lounge	Swiss International Air Lines	Air France	Singapore Airlines
Best First Class Airline Comfort Amenities	Emirates	Singapore Airlines	Swiss International Air Lines

Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have won awards from Skytrax¹⁶. These awards show their commitment to top-notch premium flights¹⁶.

The competition between these airlines will keep getting fiercer¹⁵. Travelers looking for luxury and comfort will find these airlines at the top in 2024 and later¹⁵¹⁶¹⁷.

Cleanest Airlines for Pristine Travel

Since COVID, cleanliness and hygiene are key for air travelers. The Skytrax World Airline Awards show Asia's airlines lead in cleanliness¹⁸.

ANA All Nippon Airways was named the cleanest in 2018 for its focus on cleanliness¹⁸. EVA Air, Asiana Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines followed closely¹⁸.

Passengers from around the world rated the cleanliness of aircraft cabins for Skytrax¹⁸. These Asian airlines are committed to high cleanliness and safety, offering a safe flying experience.

Asia-Based Carriers Set the Standard

Cathay Pacific won the 2024 Skytrax World's Cleanest Airlines rankings for cabin hygiene¹⁹. ANA, EVA, Qatar, and Singapore Airlines were also top picks for 2024¹⁹.

These airlines are known for their strict cleaning and sanitation. Fiji Airways joined oneworld and is now a leader in eco-friendly flying²⁰.