Embarking on an international journey is an exciting prospect, whether it’s for a year of remote work, a luxurious honeymoon, or simply to explore new horizons. Choosing the right airline can significantly impact your travel experience, turning a potentially stressful journey into a comfortable and enjoyable part of your adventure. If you’re seeking the Best Airline To Travel International, you’re in the right place.
Several factors come into play when selecting the ideal airline for your international flights. Affordability is often a primary concern, but beyond price, consider flight schedules with convenient timings, direct routes, and minimal layover durations. Onboard amenities are also crucial, encompassing in-flight entertainment, seat comfort, and the quality of food served. Furthermore, aspects like loyalty programs, baggage policies, safety records, airport facilities, and increasingly, environmental responsibility, are all important elements to evaluate.
Let’s explore the top airlines globally to help you pinpoint the perfect choice for your international travels.
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Top Airlines Globally: Setting the Gold Standard for International Travel
Singapore Airlines: A Synonym for Luxury and Excellence
Singapore Airlines consistently ranks as a top contender for the best airline to travel international, renowned for its unparalleled luxury, comfort, reliability, and exceptional safety record. SkyTrax has repeatedly recognized Singapore Airlines as Airline of the Year, highlighting its extensive global network, superior customer service, and opulent facilities.
For travelers seeking a premium international travel experience, Singapore Airlines offers a royal journey. Frequent flyers often praise the “Book the Cook” service, allowing passengers to pre-order gourmet meals crafted by renowned chefs. Operating across 75 international destinations in 32 countries across five continents, Singapore Airlines has also been honored as Best Asian Airline and recognized for its World’s Best First Class Airlines at the 2023 World Airline Awards.
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)
Passengers boarding a Singapore Airlines plane
The Top 10 International Airlines: A Consistent Performance
To identify airlines consistently delivering exceptional international travel experiences, we analyzed SkyTrax rankings over the past five years, calculating the average ranking for each airline. This provides a broader perspective beyond single-year lists.
The following airlines consistently achieve top rankings, signifying their dedication to high-quality service, making them excellent choices for international travel:
- 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 comparison, here are the top rankings from 2024:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas Airways
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
The consistent top four positions highlight the sustained excellence of Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Emirates in the international aviation industry. Cathay Pacific Airways and Japan Airlines swapped positions, while Turkish Airlines re-entered the top 10, indicating a dynamic yet consistently high-quality landscape among the best international airlines.
Best European Airline for International Connections
Turkish Airlines: Bridging Continents with Award-Winning Service
Turkish Airlines earns the title of Best European Airline (World Airline Awards 2023) and stands out as a prime option for international travel due to its extensive network, modern fleet, luxurious amenities, and acclaimed cuisine. It was also recognized for the Best Economy Class Seat in Europe and ranked as the 6th Best Airline in the World (World Airline Awards 2023).
Turkish Airlines boasts an impressive reach, flying to over 270 destinations in 129 countries across five continents, proudly claiming to fly to more countries than any other airline. Istanbul Airport, its main hub, is a significant international transit point, recognized as the second-best airport globally in the Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (2023). Its excellent facilities, including modern design, diverse shopping and dining, and on-site sleeping options, make Istanbul Airport a top choice for international layovers.
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 passenger transfer with Bolt in a European city
Best African Airline for International Reach
Ethiopian Airlines: Africa’s Leading Carrier on the Global Stage
Ethiopian Airlines is consistently recognized as the best airline in Africa, making it a strong contender for international travel, particularly within and to/from the continent. As the largest carrier in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines operates a modern and diverse fleet, connecting a vast network of destinations across Africa and internationally.
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)
Best US Airline for International Comfort and Service
Delta Airlines: A Top Choice for Transatlantic and Global Routes
Delta is a leading US airline frequently praised for its customer service, passenger satisfaction, and meticulous attention to seating and reservations, making it a solid option for international flights. Delta excels in in-flight amenities, offering a balanced experience of comfort and value for both casual 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). With over 5,400 daily flights to 325 destinations in 52 countries across six continents, Delta offers extensive international 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)
Passengers in premium seating on a long-haul international flight
Honorable Mention: Airlines for Specific International Travel Needs
United Airlines: Reaching the Most Exotic International Destinations
For travelers with a bucket list of far-flung, exotic locales, United Airlines offers exceptional reach, serving 332 destinations across 74 countries and six continents. United was also awarded Best Business Class Airline with the best lounges in the United States (World Airline Awards 2023), ensuring comfort even during long international journeys.
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 Eco-Conscious International Travelers
For environmentally aware travelers, several airlines are making significant strides in sustainable aviation. Operators like Delta, United, KLM, British Airways, and even Ryanair are investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, implementing efficiency programs, and exploring sustainable aviation fuels to minimize their environmental impact. Choosing these airlines can align your international travel with your environmental values.
Best Airlines for Business Class International Travel
For enhanced comfort and productivity on international business trips, business class offers a significant upgrade. Top-tier airlines provide business class experiences that often rival first class, featuring private cabins, customized dining, premium amenities, priority services, and workspaces equipped with power outlets and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Leading 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 Airlines for First Class International Travel: The Ultimate Luxury
First class represents the pinnacle of air travel, transforming the journey itself into a luxurious experience. While distinctions between business and first class can vary, first class on international routes typically includes private suites with fully flat beds, opulent amenities, gourmet dining with curated menus, 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
Passengers enjoying premium economy seating on a top-rated international airline
Best Airlines for Premium Economy International Travel: Comfort and Value
Premium economy bridges the gap between economy and business class, offering enhanced comfort and amenities at a more accessible price point. Many top international airlines offer a premium economy or similar class, providing extra legroom, wider seats, and improved service.
Highly-regarded premium economy airlines for international routes include:
- Delta Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Air France
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Emirates
- EVA Air
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- British Airways
Best Budget Airlines for International Travel: Affordable Options
For budget-conscious international travelers, several airlines offer cost-effective fares without compromising essential service. While comfort levels may differ from premium classes, these airlines provide viable options for reaching international destinations affordably.
Leading budget airlines operating international routes include:
- Norwegian
- airBaltic
- AirAsia
- Southwest Airlines
- Scoot
- Jet2
- TAP Portugal
- EasyJet
- Ryanair
- Wizz Air
Travelers disembarking from a budget airline after an international flight
Top Airlines Specifically Recommended for International Travel: Long-Haul Comfort Focus
While many airlines excel in various categories, some are particularly lauded for their comfort and attention to detail on long-haul international flights:
- Air India
- Air Japan
- Ethiopian Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Emirates Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
Seamless Ground Transportation with Bolt
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