English Corner
These are the ten best airlines in the world in 2025
Flying is more than just getting from A to B. For many people, their vacation begins as soon as they board the plane – whether it's with a sparkling glass of champagne in business class, a friendly smile from the crew, or the anticipation of the entertainment program above the clouds.
The skies have long since become a competitive arena, with airlines vying for comfort, service, and innovation. The top performers are revealed each year at the prestigious World Airline Awards, presented by the British aviation consultant Skytrax and considered the «Oscars of aviation» in the industry.
Each year, Skytrax analyzes hundreds of small and large airlines worldwide and compiles a ranking based on various factors. Criteria include aircraft amenities, in-flight food, service quality, and the airlines' airport services.
Swiss misses the top ten
The new award winners were announced at a glamorous gala at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. Over 500 guests from around the world, including airline CEOs and uniformed crews, celebrated the best of the best. The big winner of the evening: Qatar Airways. The Qatari airline was named the world's best airline for the ninth time. This honor cements the Gulf airline's reputation as a benchmark for luxury travel with precise service and a high degree of innovation.
In second and third place are two other industry heavyweights: Singapore Airlines, known for its elegant first class and the world's best cabin crew, and Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong, which has returned to the podium after several years. The biggest climber in the top spots is Korean Air, which improved from eleventh to seventh place. Turkish Airlines was named Europe's best airline.
Swiss suffered a slight setback this year: After ranking among the world's top ten airlines in 2024, it fell to eleventh place in 2025. While the Swiss airline remains an integral part of the global elite, it is feeling the increasing competition from Asian and Arab providers that boast a high level of service and spectacular product design.
Nevertheless, Switzerland's national airline remains synonymous with quality, reliability, and discreet luxury for many passengers. Swiss once again performed well, especially in business class and cabin service, even though it narrowly missed the top ten spot this year.
According to Skytrax, these are the ten best airlines in the world:
- Qatar Airways.
- Singapore Airlines.
- Cathay Pacific Airways.
- Emirates.
- ANA All Nippon Airways.
- Turkish Airlines.
- Korean Air.
- Air France.
- Japan Airlines.
- Hainan Airlines.