3 U.S. Airlines Included In World’s Top 20 Airlines

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Last Updated 3 years ago

Three US-based airlines have been included in a recent list of the world’s top 20 airlines, down from four in the same list of the world’s best airlines which was published last year. The list, which was carefully curated by the team of aviation experts behind the popular AirlineRatings website, was revealed just yesterday, and features all of the usual airline big-hitters battling it out to be crowned the world’s leading airline – with some notable absences from US airlines too. 

Taking into consideration a range of different factors, such as safety, innovation, passenger comfort, service and staff engagement, the list of the world’s best airlines could play a key role in helping passengers decide which airlines to fly with in the future – and which ones they should stay clear of. Here’s a look at the top 20 airlines in the world, plus a look at how the list was formulated and why the leading airlines took the top spots. 

Assessing The Airlines – What Travelers Should Know

In order to be considered for the top 20 list, airlines must have achieved a seven-star safety rating, as well as having demonstrated leadership in their innovation for passenger comfort. In addition, AirlineRatings’ editors also cast a keen eye on whether or not an airline has a consistent level of service and staff engagement, with the website’s Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas adding “we are focused on leadership and airlines that innovate to make a real difference to the passenger experience.”

Importantly, the current problems the aviation industry is facing, such as a lack of staff, high levels of delays and cancellations and sky-high flight fares did not affect the rankings, with Thomas highlighting the fact that it is a unique event and not entirely the fault of the airlines. Once all of the above criteria are taken into consideration, the airlines are ranked from 1 to 20 and short summaries are offered as an explanation of the rationale behind the decisions. 

Top 20 Airlines – Information For Travelers

In a repeat of last year’s list, Qatar Airways has once more been crowned the world’s leading airline. Celebrated by AirlineRatings for its “cabin innovation, passenger service, and its commitment to continue to operate throughout the COVID pandemic,” with the airline posting record profits during a time when others struggled. Qatar Airways regularly tops lists of the world’s best airlines, and also picked up awards such as Best Business Class and Excellence in Long Haul Travel.

Second in the list came Air New Zealand, with the website claiming that the airline is “always at the forefront of airline awards because of its constant innovation and industry leadership.” In third place was Etihad Airways, which also took the Best Environmental Airlines award and was vaunted for its leadership in the 787 Greenliner program. Filling out the rest of the top sports were Korean Air in fourth place, Singapore Airlines in fifth and Qantas in sixth, marking a good year for airlines from Oceania.

The US was represented by three airlines, but this was one airline fewer than they managed on the same list last year. New addition to the list JetBlue Airways, along with Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, came in 14th, 17th and 19th positions respectively – whilst Delta Air Lines and United Airlines fell out of the top twenty altogether and American nowhere to be seen. Whilst Southwest Airlines was unable to feature in the list due to being a low-cost carrier, the airline was crowned the best low-fare airline in the Americas. 

The full top 20 is as follows:

1. Qatar Airways
2. Air New Zealand
3. Etihad Airways 
4. Korean Air
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Qantas 
7. Virgin Australia
8. EVA Air 
9. Turkish Airlines 
10. All Nippon Airways
11.  Cathay Pacific Airways
12.  Virgin Atlantic 
13. Japan Air Lines 
14. JetBlue
15. Finnair
16. Emirates 
17. Hawaiian
18.  Air France/KLM
19. Alaska Airlines 
20. British Airways

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