Embarking on an international adventure is an exciting prospect. Whether it’s a year of remote working from a tropical paradise, a luxurious honeymoon in an exotic locale, or simply a well-deserved vacation far from home, the journey begins the moment you book your flight. For seasoned travelers, the quest for the Best Airline For International Travel is paramount, aiming to avoid past disappointments and ensure a smooth, comfortable journey.
Choosing the right airline for international travel involves a careful consideration of several factors. Affordability naturally plays a significant role for many globetrotters. Beyond price, convenient flight schedules with optimal departure and arrival times, the availability of direct flights, and strategically planned short layovers are highly valued.
Once onboard, the experience becomes crucial. In-flight entertainment to while away the hours, overall seat comfort for those long-haul journeys, and the quality of food served can significantly impact your travel experience. Furthermore, loyalty programs offering rewards for frequent flyers, transparent and accommodating baggage policies, impeccable safety records, top-notch airport facilities, and increasingly, a commitment to environmental responsibility are all important aspects to evaluate when selecting the best airline for international travel.
Dive in to discover which of the world’s leading airlines best cater to your international travel needs, ensuring your journey is as enjoyable as your destination.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines consistently ranks as a top contender for the best airline for international travel, and indeed, the best airline in the world. This accolade is built upon a foundation of luxury, unparalleled comfort, exceptional reliability, and a stellar safety record. SkyTrax has repeatedly honored Singapore Airlines as Airline of the Year, recognizing its extensive global network, superior customer service, and world-class facilities designed for the discerning international traveler.
For those seeking an opulent start to their international escapade, Singapore Airlines delivers an experience akin to flying royalty. A standout feature lauded by frequent international flyers is ‘Book the Cook,’ offering the opportunity to pre-order gourmet meals crafted by renowned chefs, elevating the in-flight dining experience to new heights.
Currently, Singapore Airlines connects travelers to 75 international destinations across 32 countries spanning 5 continents, making it a truly global carrier ideal for international travel. Adding to its accolades, it has been recognized as the Best Asian Airline and among the World’s Best First Class Airlines at the prestigious World Airline Awards 2023, further solidifying its position as a top choice for international flights.
Key International Hubs:
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)
Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle & Aéroport d’Orly (Paris, France)
Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town, South Africa)
O.R Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Boarding
The World’s Top 10 Airlines for International Travel
The dynamic nature of the airline industry means rankings are constantly shifting as carriers enhance their services and introduce new aircraft. To provide a robust perspective on the best airlines for international travel, we’ve analyzed SkyTrax rankings over the past 5 years, calculating the average placement for consistent high-quality service. These airlines are consistently recognized for excellence, making any of them a reliable choice for your international journeys.
Based on our analysis of recent SkyTrax data, the top 10 airlines for international travel as we enter 2025 are:
- Qatar Airways – average rank: 1.2
- Singapore Airlines – average rank: 1.8
- ANA All Nippon Airways – average rank: 3.4
- Emirates – average rank: 3.8
- Cathay Pacific Airways – average rank: 5.75
- Japan Airlines – average rank: 6.6
- Turkish Airlines – average rank: 6.67
- Qantas Airways – average rank: 7.0
- EVA Air – average rank: 7.5
- Air France – average rank: 8.5
For context, here’s the 2024 rankings from these leading aviation评级 companies:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airways
- All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas Airways
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
The consistent performance of the top 4 airlines highlights their enduring commitment to excellence and dominance in the international travel sector. Cathay Pacific Airways and Japan Airlines swapped positions, while Turkish Airlines re-entered the top 10, demonstrating the fluctuating competitive landscape of international air travel.
European Leaders in International Air Travel
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines emerges as a leading European contender for international travel, earning the title of Best European Airline (World Airline Awards 2023). This recognition is driven by its extensive and well-connected flight network, modern fleet, luxurious passenger amenities, and award-winning culinary offerings – a testament to their commitment to passenger experience on international routes. Furthermore, Turkish Airlines boasts the Best Economy Class Seat in Europe and ranks as the 6th Best Airline in the World (World Airline Awards 2023), making it a strong choice for international travelers seeking both value and quality.
Turkish Airlines proudly proclaims itself as the airline that flies to the most countries, currently serving over 270 destinations in 129 countries across 5 continents. This vast network makes it an exceptionally convenient option for reaching diverse international locations.
Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines’ flagship hub, is a significant asset for international travelers. It secured second place in the Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, 2023, as one of the best airports globally, just behind Singapore Changi International Airport. Istanbul Airport is particularly well-regarded as an airport for layovers, offering clean, modern facilities, extensive shopping and dining options, and various on-site sleeping accommodations, including hotels, ensuring a comfortable transit during international journeys.
Key International Hubs:
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja, Nigeria)
Kotoka International Airport (Accra, Ghana)
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Baku, Azerbaijan)
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (Beirut, Lebanon)
Airport transfer
African Excellence in International Flights
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is celebrated as the best airline in Africa, a title earned through its expansive network and commitment to connecting the continent with the rest of the world. As the largest carrier in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is known for its modern fleet and extensive network spanning across Africa and to numerous international destinations, making it a vital link for international travel to and from Africa.
Key International Hubs:
Kotoka International Airport (Accra, Ghana)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya)
Moi International Airport (Mombasa, Kenya)
King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
US-Based Leaders in International Air Travel
Delta Airlines
Delta stands out as a premier US airline for international travel, distinguished by its exceptional customer service, high levels of passenger satisfaction, and meticulous attention to seating and reservation details. These qualities contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable experience, especially on long international flights.
Renowned for its best-in-class in-flight amenities, Delta strikes an excellent balance between comfort and value, appealing to both occasional and frequent international flyers. Delta’s accolades include Best Business Class Airline in North America, Best Premium Economy Airline in North America, and Best Economy Class Airline in North America (World Airline Awards 2023), highlighting its commitment to quality across all cabin classes for international routes. Operating over 5,400 flights daily to 325 destinations in 52 countries across 6 continents, Delta’s extensive network facilitates global connectivity.
Key International Hubs:
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos, Nigeria)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (Berlin, Germany)
Cologne Bonn Airport (Cologne, Germany)
Düsseldorf International Airport (Düsseldorf, Germany)
Frankfurt International Airport (Frankfurt, Germany)
Munich Airport (Munich, Germany)
Best long haul airlines
Honorable Mentions for International Travel: Exotic Destinations & Sustainability
United Airlines: Access to the Most Exotic Locations
While air travel has made the world more accessible, vast and exotic destinations still beckon. United Airlines excels in reaching far-flung corners of the globe, connecting travelers to 332 destinations across 74 countries and 6 continents. For those with a thirst for exploring unique and less-traveled international locales, United offers unparalleled reach. Recognized as the Best Business Class Airline with the best lounges in the United States (World Airline Awards 2023), United ensures that even journeys to the most exotic destinations begin and end in comfort.
Key International Hubs:
Brussels Airport – Zaventem (Brussels, Belgium)
Dubrovnik Airport (Dubrovnik, Croatia)
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Nice, France)
Faro Airport – Gago Coutinho (Faro, Portugal)
Lisbon Airport – Humberto Delgado (Lisbon, Portugal)
Porto Airport – Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto, Portugal)
Airlines Prioritizing Sustainability
For environmentally conscious travelers, or those practicing ecotourism and seeking responsible travel options, several airlines are making significant strides in sustainability. Operators like Delta, United, KLM, British Airways, and RyanAir are investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, implementing rigorous fuel efficiency programs, and exploring sustainable aviation fuels. Choosing these providers allows for more eco-conscious international travel.
Business class airline
Premium Cabin Choices for International Flights
For enhanced comfort on long international flights, consider premium cabin options.
Best Business-Class Airlines for International Travel
Business class on leading airlines offers a first-class experience at a potentially more accessible price point. Expect private cabins, on-demand dining, superior amenities, priority services, and excellent workspaces with power sockets and Wi-Fi. Top business-class airlines for international travel include:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- All Nippon Airways
- Delta Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Qantas Airways
- Oman Air
Best First-Class Airlines for International Travel
First class represents the pinnacle of air travel luxury, transforming the journey into an integral part of the destination experience. While distinctions between business and first class can vary, first-class international travel often includes private suites with fully flat beds, opulent amenities, gourmet dining, and extensive in-flight entertainment. Top-rated first-class airlines for international travel are:
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Lufthansa
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- All Nippon Airways
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Japan Airlines
Best premium economy airlines
Best Premium Economy Airlines for International Travel
Premium economy bridges the gap between economy and business class, offering enhanced comfort and amenities at a mid-range price, ideal for international travelers seeking extra comfort without the business class price tag. Leading premium economy airlines for international flights are:
- Delta Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Air France
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Emirates
- EVA Air
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- British Airways
Budget-Friendly Airlines for International Travel
While aspirational destinations are limitless, budget constraints might not be. The best budget airlines prove that affordable international travel is achievable without completely sacrificing service quality. For cost-effective international flights, consider these airlines, keeping in mind that services may be basic:
- Norwegian
- airBaltic
- AirAsia
- Southwest Airlines
- Scoot
- Jet2
- TAP Portugal
- EasyJet
- Ryanair
- Wizz Air
Best budget airlines
Top Airlines Specifically Recommended for International Travel
For those prioritizing comfort and meticulous service on long-haul international flights, these airlines are particularly recommended:
- Air India
- Air Japan
- Ethiopian Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Emirates Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
Enhance Your International Journey with Seamless Ground Transport
Even the best international flight experience can be diminished by ground transportation hassles. Bolt’s extensive network of cars, e-bikes, and scooters in over 600 cities across Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and Latin America ensures a smooth transition from air to ground. With an easy-to-use app, a convenient and affordable ride is available the moment you exit the airport. For early flights or planned day trips during your international travel, Bolt’s ride-scheduling feature adds extra convenience.
Download the Bolt app to ensure reliable transportation wherever your international adventures take you, completing your journey with ease and comfort.
