Korean Air named world's best, as top airlines

[riceberry]

Korean Air named world's best, as top airlines​

By Sarah SwainFebruary 11, 2025 - 12:07am

Experts at Australian aviation site, Airline Ratings have revealed their top airlines for 2025.

They all meet a list of specific requirements, such as providing a comprehensive full-service experience, and having an economy seat pitch of a minimum of 31 inches.

Here are the airlines which made the top 15.

15. AeroMexico​

Kicking off the top 15 is Mexican carrier, AeroMexico.

14. ANA​

Japanese airline, ANA, or All Nippon Airways was ranked by the experts at number 14.

13. Virgin Atlantic​

Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic finished up at the not so unlucky 13th spot.

12. Fiji Airways​

Fiji Airways came in at 12.

11. EVA Air​

Taiwan's carrier EVA Air came in at number 11 on the list.

It flies from Brisbane to Taipei.

10. Turkish Airlines​

Turkish Airlines, which recently started flying between Australia and Istanbul, made it to number ten on the list.

9. Etihad​

Middle Eastern Airline, Etihad, which has a hub in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, landed at number 9.

8. Qantas​

Aussie airline Qantas went up one place on last year, flying into the number eight spot.

7. Japan Airlines​

Japan Airlines also known as JAL or Nikkō, flies between Australia and Japan, and won the number 7 ranking.

6. Emirates​

Emirates, which flies from Dubai to destinations around the world, narrowly missed a top five ranking.

5. Singapore Airlines​

Singapore Airlines is the big name which kicks off the top five.

4. Cathay Pacific​

Cathay Pacific, based out of Hong Kong, was ranked at number four.

3. Air New Zealand​

The highest ranking airline in Australasia was the acclaimed Air New Zealand.

2. Qatar Airways​

Narrowly pipped into the second spot was Qatar Airways.

Also based in the Middle East, it flies from Australia and the world via Doha.

1. Korean Air​

Korean Air was named Airline of the Year for 2025, beating last year's winner Qatar Airways, in the Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency's official list.

The airline's merger with Asiana Airlines — the largest consolidation in Asian aviation history — was a contributing factor to its place at the top.

The South Korean flag carrier's commitment to "passenger comfort" was cited as one of the main reasons for its triumph — both Korean Air and Japan Airline provide the most spacious economy class seating of any global airline.

 

[A Singaporean]

SIA too many CECA pilots. Great news. Kimchi all the way.

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Cathay is ahead of SQ haha

 

[Chase]

Korean Air's service had always been very good but their planes are old. Their surge in ranking lifted by the recent merger with Asiana Airlines with a younger fleet.