Emirates has been named as the “World’s Best Airline” in a comprehensive and methodological study by Telegraph Travel.
The ranking of 90 global carriers also featured Qatar Airways and Etihad in the top 10 and Middle East carriers Oman Air and Saudia in prominent positions.
The detailed ranking and ratings were calculated from more than 30 criteria such as:
- Punctuality
- Baggage allowance
- Route network
- Quality of home airport
- Age of fleet
- Value of rewards programme
- Tastiness of in-flight meals
Emirates named ‘World’s Best Airline’
The results were calculated referencing data from more than 18 independent and international awards, readers polls, ratings websites and expert reviews.
Described as a “worthy winner,” the study announced that Emirates “ticks nearly every box, from baggage allowance to punctuality. It is the airline that operates the largest number of double-decker Airbus A380s, the jet that passengers love best – because it offers most space and legroom in all cabins, including economy.
“Premium economy on its A380s is the best in the sky. Business class never disappoints and comes with a chauffeur to drive you to and from the airport, increasingly a rarity. First class has the finest wine list of any carrier – and showers.
“Its route network is also one of the biggest: 140 cities in 77 countries. It was voted the best long-haul carrier in the world by 30,000 Telegraph Travel readers.”
The independent methodology for the study included 90 airlines, selected for the number of annual passengers carried and points were awarded based on each carrier’s performance across a range of criteria, including reliability, connectivity, luggage rules, inflight experience, average age of fleet, quality of home airport, value of rewards programme, safety, heritage, quality of lounges as well as multiple readers polls and rankings from Apex to Airline Ratings, Skytrax to TrustPilot reviews and more.
So far in 2024, Emirates has received an additional 19 awards and recognitions from a wide array of sources across the globe.
Of Qatar Airways, which came in second place, the report said: “Thanks to its snazzy new Q Suite, it has the best business class in the sky and will soon launch a new first class that it claims will set a fresh benchmark.
“There are perks for economy-class fliers, too, notably a small, 56-seat economy-class cabin on the upper deck of the double decker, which is the best way to fly long-haul economy”.
Etihad took ninth place in the worldwide ranking. Telegraph Travel said: “The Abu Dhabi-based United Arab Emirates flag carrier is a boutique operation compared with its local rivals Qatar Airways and Emirates.
“Think Virgin Atlantic to British Airways. ‘We want to do our own thing, to define a unique identity,’ says its chief executive, Antonoaldo Neves.
“Its stylish new A350s and refurbished Boeing 787s show the way ahead. It scored highly in our study for punctuality, legroom and in-flight cuisine”.
Telegraph Travel World’s Best Airlines
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- All Nippon Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Air France
- Etihad
- Korean Air
- EVA Air
- Finnair
- Qantas
- Oman Air
- KLM
- Virgin Atlantic
- Air Canada
- Air New Zealand
- Asiana Airlines
- British Airways
- Saudia
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