Air New Zealand Dethroned in Latest World Airline Rankings 2024

Qatar Airways has reclaimed the top spot as the world’s best airline, dethroning Air New Zealand, according to the Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com.

Its Airline Excellence Awards evaluate carriers based on 12 factors such as safety, product rating, fleet age, profitability, serious incidents, innovation, forward fleet orders, and passenger reviews from various sources.

A panel of five editors, led by AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas, brings together more than a century of industry experience.

Singapore Airlines secured the Best First Class award, Qatar Airways earned Best Business Class, Emirates took home Best Premium Economy, and Air New Zealand was honored with Best Economy Class.

Qatar Airways won Best Catering, Virgin Australia was recognized for having the best Cabin Crew, and Qantas triumphed with its Lounges.

For long-haul travel, AirlineRatings.com presents excellence awards based on regions. Qatar Airways was the top choice for the Middle East.

In North Asia, Korean Air took the lead, while Cathay Pacific Airways excelled in Southeast Asia. Air New Zealand stood out in the Australia-Pacific region. For Europe, Air France was the leading airline, and Turkish Airlines dominated southern Europe.

Air Canada was the top pick for North America, and Latam emerged as the winner in South America.

AirlineRatings.com’s Top 25 Premium Airlines 2024:

1. Qatar Airways
2. Korean Air
3. Cathay Pacific Airways
4. Air New Zealand
5. Emirates
6. Air France/KLM
7. All Nippon Airways
8. Etihad Airways
9. Qantas
10. Virgin Australia/Atlantic
11. Vietnam Airlines
12. Singapore Airlines
13. EVA Air
14. TAP Portugal
15. JAL
16. Finnair
17. Hawaiian
18. Alaska Airlines
19. Lufthansa / Swiss
20. Turkish Airlines
21. IGA Group (British Airways & Iberia)
22. Air Canada
23. Delta Air Lines
24. United Airlines
25. American Airlines

AirlineRatings.com’s Top 25 Low-Cost Airlines 2024:

In alphabetical order:

• AirAsia Group
• Air Baltic
• Air Canada Rouge
• Cebu Pacific
• EasyJet
• Eurowings
• FlyDubai
• FlyNAS
• GOL
• JetBlue
• Jet2
• Jetstar Group
• Jeju Air
• Norwegian
• Peach
• Ryanair
• Scoot
• SpiceJet
• Sun Country Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Transavia
• Vietjet
• Volotea
• Vueling
• WizzAir