Luxury Air Travel: Top Ten Airlines Revealed

Strategic Insights -

AirlineRatings.com has announced the Top Ten luxury airlines for 2015, following an examination of over 450 airlines and their in-flight service. The winners span across four categories: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Long Haul Economy Class. The selection highlights the industry's trendsetters, with Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Etihad Airways making a notable presence in multiple categories.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Top Ten airlines in each category were selected based on their in-flight service and product offerings.
  • Only two airlines, Qantas and Singapore Airlines, made it into the Top Ten in each of the four categories.
  • Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Etihad Airways made the Top Ten in three categories each.
  • The winners in each category include:

+ 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.

  • The selection highlights the industry's trendsetters, with airlines consistently known for in-flight excellence and service.
  • Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Etihad Airways made a notable presence in multiple categories.

Statistics:

  • Over 450 airlines were examined by AirlineRatings.com.
  • 3.5 billion passengers take to the air each year.
  • Qantas was first to invent business class in 1979.
  • Singapore Airlines led the industry in in-flight entertainment and free drinks for all passengers.
  • Air New Zealand has won countless awards for its economy Skycouch and premium economy Spaceseat.
  • Etihad has reinvented first class.
  • AirlineRatings.com has been used by millions of passengers from 232 countries.

Sources:

  • AirlineRatings.com
  • AirlineRatings.com Editor-In-Chief Geoffrey Thomas +61-41-793-6610 (Geoffrey.thomas@AirlineRatings.com)
  • PR Newswire
  • AirlineRatings.com (launched in June 2013)