Downward angle icon An icon in the shape of a downward angle. Qatar Airways and Air New Zealand make the list of the world's top 5 premium airlines. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images, Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via Getty Images AirlineRatings.com has named Qatar Airways the world's best premium airline for 2024. The ranking considers factors such as safety, aircraft age, customer reviews and innovation. From Asia to New Zealand, here are the world's top 5 premium airlines.
Passengers who want a luxurious experience while air travelling book their trips with top airlines.
In May, AirlineRatings.com ranked the world's top premium airlines for 2024. The website, which rates air travel products and safety, rated airlines based on both criteria, as well as customer reviews, the age of their aircraft and innovation.
The winner was decided by the website's five editors, who have a combined experience of over 100 years in the travel industry.
The rankings also include categories for specific features, such as Best Economy Class and Best Business Class in each region and Best Long-Haul Airlines.
Read on to find out which airlines topped the list.
4. Air New Zealand
An Air New Zealand plane arrives at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia. Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via Getty Images
In addition to ranking fourth, Air New Zealand also won the award for Best Economy Class and was named top for long-haul travel in Australia and the Pacific.
The airline has had fully flat-bed seats in economy class since 2011. BI reporter Taylor Raines previously booked a “Skycouch” seat on a 17-hour flight and found the extra comfort made the long journey fly by.
BI reporter Monica Humphreys flew in Air New Zealand's business class and was impressed with the spacious seats with footrests, the three-course meal, and the champagne served before takeoff.
2. Korean Air
A Korean Air plane parked on a runway in Los Angeles. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
Korean Air, number two on the list, won the award for excellence in the long-haul travel category in North Asia.
Rains described her 12-hour flight in Korean Air business class as feeling like she was on a private jet with private, box-like living spaces, but the seats were more like hotel rooms with fully flat beds, amenity kits and storage bins for luggage.
1. Qatar Airways
A Qatar Airways plane prepares to land in London. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Not only is Qatar Airways the world's number one premium airline, it also won Best Business Class for the fifth consecutive year and was named winner of the award for best long-haul travel in the Middle East.
According to the company's website, Jeffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of AirlineRatings.com, said Qatar Airways was named No. 1 across a number of criteria. In passenger reviews, the luxury carrier “scored well above all other airlines, with the consistency and high standards of its service delivery evident in the feedback,” Thomas noted.
BI previously reported that Qatar Airways offers impressive business class suites, luxurious complimentary amenities, gourmet cuisine, and luxurious turndown service.
