The World’s Best Airlines of 2025 Revealed

The aviation industry is a dynamic landscape, constantly evolving to meet the demands of travelers worldwide. Each year, AirlineRatings.com, a respected authority on airline safety and product, releases its highly anticipated rankings of the world’s best airlines. The 2025 results are in, and a clear trend has emerged: Asian carriers are leading the charge. From luxurious first-class suites to consistently high standards in economy, these carriers are setting a new benchmark for air travel. Keep reading to discover the top 25 full-service airlines of 2025, and what makes the top performers truly stand out.

Top 25 Full-Service Airlines

Korean Air (South Korea)
Qatar Airways (Qatar)
Air New Zealand (New Zealand)
Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
Emirates (United Arab Emirates)
Japan Airlines (Japan)
Qantas (Australia)
Etihad Airways (United Arab Emirates)
Turkish Airlines (Turkey)
EVA Air (Taiwan)
Fiji Airways (Fiji)
Virgin Atlantic (United Kingdom)
ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Japan)
Aeromexico (Mexico)
Air Caraïbes (France)
Thai Airways (Thailand)
Starlux Airlines (Taiwan)
Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam)
SriLankan Airlines (Sri Lanka)
Air France (France)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Netherlands)
Aircalin (New Caledonia, France)
Air Mauritius (Mauritius)
Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia)

Korean Air stands out as a leader in passenger comfort, offering some of the most spacious economy-class seating in the world. Alongside seventh-ranked Japan Airlines, the carrier maintains a generous seat pitch of 33-34 inches on all wide-body aircraft, ensuring more legroom than many competitors. Even on its narrow-body Boeing 737s, primarily used for short-haul routes, passengers still enjoy a comfortable 32-34 inches of space between seats—a rarity in an era where most airlines have reduced economy-class pitch to a cramped 31-32 inches.

Unlike many rivals that have squeezed an extra tenth seat into every row of the Boeing 777 to maximize capacity, Korean Air has resisted this trend, prioritizing passenger comfort over profit-driven seat configurations. The Seoul-based airline, which recently welcomed its first Airbus A350-900, enhances the economy-class experience further with thoughtful touches on medium- to long-haul flights. These include complimentary slippers, larger meal portions, and an extensive in-flight entertainment selection. Additionally, Korean Air plans to introduce a premium economy product on international flights later this year, expanding its offerings for budget-conscious yet comfort-seeking travelers.

Last year’s top full-service airline, Qatar Airways, secured a strong second place in this year’s rankings. While it continues to deliver an exceptional economy-class experience, it offers slightly less space per passenger compared to Korean Air, according to Sharon Petersen, the CEO of AirlineRatings.com. The airline also earned high marks for its world-renowned business-class product, the innovative Qsuite.

Joining Korean Air and Qatar Airways in the top three is Air New Zealand, which distinguishes itself with outstanding safety credentials—having recently topped AirlineRatings.com’s safety rankings—and its unique Economy Skycouch. This feature allows seats to transform into a lie-flat couch with adjustable leg rests, enhancing comfort for long-haul travelers.

It’s worth noting that 14 out of the Top 25 full-service airlines are Asian airlines. In addition to Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines. other Asian Airlines that made it to the Top 20 are Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, All Nippon Airways, Thai Airways, Starlux Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia.

Note: While Turkey is a transcontinental country spanning both Europe and Asia ,Turkish Airlines is generally classified as a European airline rather than an Asian airline

Why aren’t any U.S. airlines on the top 25 list?

If you’re wondering why no U.S. airlines made the top 25, it’s because most have shifted their business model, leading AirlineRatings.com to no longer classify them as full-service airlines.

Instead, they now fall into the hybrid airline category, which blends elements of both low-cost and full-service carriers. This trend is becoming more common among legacy U.S. and European airlines, which have streamlined services on short-haul routes while still offering premium amenities on international flights—including full meals, complimentary drinks, seat-back entertainment in economy, and lie-flat beds in business class.

For your reference, here’s the top 20 Hybrid Airlines of 2025, according to AirlineRatings.com: