Worldwide Airline Ratings: A Complete Guide

When choosing an airline for your next trip, safety and service quality are top priorities. With a range of airlines competing globally, having a clear understanding of airline ratings can help travelers make informed decisions. In this guide, we explore how airlines are rated based on safety, service, and overall performance, referencing top industry sources.

What are airline ratings?

Airline ratings provide a snapshot of how airlines perform across various categories, including safety, passenger experience, and service quality. These ratings are typically compiled by independent bodies and often reflect the following:

• Safety records and protocols
• Fleet age and maintenance schedules
• Customer service and passenger feedback
• Inflight amenities and comfort levels

How Are Airlines Rated?

Two major sources for airline ratings are AirlineRatings.com and Skytrax. Each source uses different methodologies but focuses on comprehensive criteria that help paint a clear picture of an airline's overall performance.

AirlineRatings.com Methodology

AirlineRatings.com uses a seven-star system to assess the safety and service standards of airlines. The factors influencing the safety rating include:

• The airline's crash history over the last decade
• Whether the airline is certified by international safety authorities (such as the FAA or EASA)
• Compliance with operational safety audits like IATA's Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)
• The age of the airline's fleet and ongoing maintenance procedures
• Pilot training programs and implementation of safety initiatives like COVID-19 protocols

Skytrax Airline Ratings

Skytrax focuses on customer experience and service quality. Airlines are ranked on a five-star scale, assessing areas such as:

• Cabin comfort and seat quality
• Onboard amenities like inflight entertainment
• Staff service, including friendliness and professionalism
• Ground services, including check-in and boarding experience
• Meal quality and catering

Comprehensive list of airlines and their ratings

Below is an updated table of airline ratings based on Skytrax's 2024 data and AirlineRatings.com’s Safety Rating.

Asia Pacific

Europe

Middle East

North America

South America

Africa

Note: The safety ratings are based on a 7-star system from AirlineRatings.com, considering factors like crash history, safety certifications, and adherence to international safety standards. The Skytrax ratings are based on a 5-star system evaluating the overall quality of an airline's product and service standards.

FAQs: Understanding the Different Methodologies of Skytrax and AirlineRatings.com

1. How does Skytrax collect its data?

Skytrax's ratings are based on passenger reviews and surveys. They conduct extensive global surveys across millions of travelers to gather feedback on airlines. These surveys assess more than 350 aspects of an airline's service, covering both inflight and ground operations.

In addition, Skytrax conducts audits of airlines, analysing the quality of products and services to complement the survey data. This approach allows for a well-rounded evaluation of both tangible (e.g., seat quality) and intangible (e.g., staff attitude) elements.

2. How does AirlineRatings.com collect its data?

AirlineRatings.com combines publicly available safety data, industry reports, and regulatory body information to compile their safety ratings. Their methodology involves analysing an airline's adherence to international safety standards, accident history, and regulatory certifications. This data is sourced from authoritative organisations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and global aviation bodies.

For service-related reviews, AirlineRatings.com also considers user-submitted reviews and expert analysis, offering a blend of professional insight and passenger feedback to provide a comprehensive overview.

3. How do Skytrax and AirlineRatings.com differ in evaluating safety?

While both platforms consider safety, AirlineRatings.com places a much heavier emphasis on it. They specifically focus on:

• Whether the airline has passed rigorous safety audits.
• If the airline is on any international safety blacklists.
• The airline's fleet age, a key indicator of how up-to-date their aircraft are in terms of safety features.

In contrast, Skytrax does not focus as heavily on safety. While they do consider it, Skytrax’s core emphasis is on the customer experience, such as comfort, entertainment, and staff performance.

4. Can an airline receive a high rating on Skytrax but not on AirlineRatings.com?

Yes, this is possible due to the differing focus of each platform. An airline might excel in providing an exceptional passenger experience—earning high Skytrax ratings—while having an older fleet or a less favourable safety audit history, which could result in a lower safety rating on AirlineRatings.com.

For example, an airline known for its luxurious inflight services might score five stars on Skytrax, but if it operates older planes or lacks certain safety certifications, its safety rating on AirlineRatings.com could be lower.

5. Which rating should I trust when choosing an airline?

It depends on your priorities as a traveler:

• If safety is your primary concern, then the ratings from AirlineRatings.com will be more relevant. Their seven-star system provides a detailed breakdown of an airline’s safety protocols and history.
• If service quality and the overall flight experience matter more, then Skytrax ratings are likely to be more useful. Their detailed passenger feedback and product evaluations can help you choose an airline based on comfort and customer service.

For a well-rounded perspective, it's a good idea to cross-reference both platforms. This will give you a more comprehensive understanding of both safety and service quality when selecting an airline.

6. Do these ratings change over time?

Yes, both Skytrax and AirlineRatings.com update their ratings periodically:

• Skytrax updates its ratings based on new passenger surveys and airline audits, typically releasing an annual ranking of the world’s top airlines.
• AirlineRatings.com updates its safety ratings as airlines pass or fail safety audits, experience incidents, or upgrade their fleets.

As airline performance and safety standards evolve, these ratings can fluctuate, so it's important to check for the most recent data before making travel decisions.

The best-ranked airlines in the world

When it comes to global airline rankings, a few carriers consistently stand out for their exceptional safety, service, and overall reputation.

Qatar Airways, frequently rated as the world’s best airline, is renowned for its luxurious inflight experience, five-star service, and extensive global network. Its high safety ratings and commitment to customer satisfaction make it a favourite among both business and leisure travelers. Singapore Airlines also ranks among the best, known for its impeccable service, modern fleet, and award-winning cabin design, including its renowned First Class suites.

In the Middle East, Emirates is celebrated for its unmatched inflight entertainment and premium class offerings, while ANA (All Nippon Airways) in Japan and Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong deliver world-class service in Asia. 

Qantas Airways, consistently rated for both safety and customer service, is a standout in Oceania. In Europe, Lufthansa and Air France maintain their reputations as reliable, full-service airlines with extensive international reach. These airlines are not only ranked highly by Skytrax for service but are also trusted for their safety and operational standards, making them top choices for travelers seeking the best in aviation.

What Do These Ratings Mean for Travelers?

Understanding airline ratings allows passengers to make safer and more informed choices. For instance, airlines with a perfect safety score may offer added peace of mind to those concerned about flying. Meanwhile, airlines that excel in Skytrax rankings ensure a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience with high levels of customer satisfaction.

Choosing the Best Airline for You

While airline ratings are crucial, choosing an airline should also be based on personal preferences, such as:

• Budget and ticket prices
• Preferred travel routes
• Specific service requirements (e.g., inflight meals, entertainment)
• Frequent flyer programs

By combining safety ratings with customer service data, you can confidently select the airline that best suits your needs for a secure and pleasant journey.

Disclaimer: The data provided in this article has been sourced from AirlineRatings.com and Skytrax. Please note that this information may have changed since its publication, and we recommend visiting the respective websites for the latest updates.