Airlines from Asia dominate a list of the top carriers for long-haul journeys, according to a ranking of airlines based on passenger satisfaction and performance data.
The study by British company MoneySuperMarket analyzed information from multiple independent sources, including consumer publication Which?, customer reviews on TrustPilot and TripAdvisor, and airline ratings from AirlineQuality and Skytrax, to identify which carriers deliver the best overall experience on extended flight routes.
These sources provided data on factors such as timeliness, likelihood of cancellation, value for money, seat comfort, in‑flight entertainment, staff service, food and beverages, and overall long‑haul economy experience. MoneySuperMarket analyzed passenger reviews and performance metrics from those sources to rank the world’s most popular long‑haul airlines from best to worst on a total score out of 50.
Singapore Airlines emerged as the top‑ranked carrier in the study. The report said: “The analysis found Singapore Airlines took the top spot, scoring 4/5 or higher across a range of key areas, including value for money, reliability, in‑flight experience, customer ratings, and food and beverages.”
The airline also stood out for its value proposition, as it was “the only airline to achieve a value‑for‑money score of 4/5.”
Following Singapore Airlines in the rankings were Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific, which placed second and third, respectively. The top 10 list also includes TUI, Emirates, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines and Air France.
At the lower end of the index, the report found that “American Airlines scored lowest overall out of popular airlines, particularly in seat comfort, in‑flight entertainment, food and beverages, and TripAdvisor ratings.”
The study noted that despite performing “reasonably well” in terms of timeliness, American Airlines’ overall score was weighed down by weaker experience‑based metrics.
The report explained that this outcome underscores a broader trend in long‑haul travel satisfaction.
“The findings show that long‑haul satisfaction is driven by consistency, not just punctuality,” the study said. “Airlines that balance reliable operations with strong onboard experiences tend to outperform those that prioritise schedules alone.”
Top 10 Best Airlines for Long-Haul Flights
- Singapore Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- TUI
- Emirates
- Qantas
- Malaysia Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Delta Air Lines
- Air France
Source: Based on passenger satisfaction and performance data analyzed by MoneySuperMarket.
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