These Are the World’s Best Airlines of 2025 – Full Ranking

While many airlines continue to reduce legroom for economy class passengers, Korean Air stands out by providing ample space earning the title of the world’s best full-service airline from AirlineRatings.com.

This year, instead of emphasizing the luxurious offerings found in first and business class cabins, AirlineRatings.com—a site comprised of aviation editors who have carefully researched nearly every airline globally—focused its rankings on the treatment of economy class travelers. According to Sharon Petersen, the CEO of AirlineRatings.com, the back of the plane is where most passengers travel.

Korean Air Tops Economy Comfort

Alongside seventh-place Japan Airlines, Korean Air offers the most spacious economy-class seating in the world, with a consistent seat pitch of 33-34 inches on all wide-body aircraft. Even on its narrow-body 737 planes, used for short-haul flights, Korean Air continues to offer a generous 32-34 inches of pitch between seats.

Most of its competitors have reduced the pitch in their economy cabins to a tight 31-32 inches and wedged a tenth seat into every row on the Boeing 777—another trend Korean Air hasn’t followed.

Photo: Economy Class, Boeing 787-10. Courtesy of Korean Air

The Seoul-based airline—which recently took delivery of its newest aircraft type, an Airbus A350-900—also treats economy class passengers on its medium- to long-haul flights to thoughtful touches such as slippers, larger meal portions, and a wider selection of in-flight entertainment. The airline is also planning to introduce a premium economy product on international flights later this year.

“While the airline’s Business and First Class products are highly regarded for their exceptional meals, efficient service, and comfort, it was Korean Air’s outstanding Economy Class offering that truly secured their win,” Petersen said.

Photo: Airbus A350-900, Prestige Business Class. Courtesy of Korean Air

“We consistently receive feedback about the lack of space in Economy Class, so it was only fitting to make this a major factor in selecting this year’s award winner.”

AirlineRatings.com also cited the stability of Korean Air’s business, epitomized by its recently finalized merger with fellow South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines.

The merger, the largest consolidation in Asian aviation history, has made Korean Air the dominant carrier in the country, with a 50 percent share of the international market.

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Air

More powerful than ever, Korean Air is looking into the future, with a young, energy-efficient fleet (average fleet age of just 10.7 years) and significant orders for more aircraft, including 50 Boeing wide-body jets (777s and 787s), 33 Airbus A350s, and 26 Airbus A321neos.

That young fleet helped Korean Air perform well in AirlinesRatings.com’s January ranking of the world’s safest airlines, where it came eighth.

Qatar Airways Runner Up

Last year’s winner of the best full-service airline, Qatar Airways, finished a respectable second this year. It “still offers an outstanding economy experience” but with slightly less space per passenger than Korean Air, Petersen said.

Qatar Airways also scored points for its excellent business class product, the trend-setting Qsuite.

Photo: Qatar Airways QSuite. Courtesy of Qatar Airways.

Korean Air and Qatar joined in the top three by Air New Zealand, which sets itself apart with impeccable safety credentials (it topped AirlineRatings.com’s safety rankings last month) and the Economy Skycouch, seats with adjustable leg rests that can be locked at a 90-degree angle to create a lie-flat couch space.

Petersen called the Skycouch “a game-changer for families or couples traveling together.”

Photo: SkyCouch. Courtesy of Air New Zealand

With the imminent arrival of Air New Zealand’s new Business Premier suites and the revolutionary SkyNest economy class bed bunks, the airline is expected to continue excelling and improving its ranking in the coming years.

Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines rounded out the top 5.

Top 25 Full-Service Airlines

What About the U.S. Carriers?

If you don’t see any U.S. airlines in the top 25, that’s because most have adjusted their business model and AirlineRatings.com no longer considers them “full-service airlines.”

Instead, they’re in a new category of hybrid airlines, those combining the features of both low-cost and full-service airlines.

It’s a strategy increasingly used by legacy U.S. and European carriers, which often offer stripped-back service on short-haul routes but continue to fete passengers on international flights to full meals, drinks, and seat-back screens in economy class, and lie-flat beds and elevated amenities in business class.

JetBlue Tops the Charts

JetBlue has pioneered the hybrid airline model, setting a standard that larger competitors have since imitated. Despite facing financial challenges in recent years, the airline’s service quality remains high. It was recognized as the best hybrid airline in a new category by AirlineRatings.com.

Photo: Courtesy of JetBlue Airways

JetBlue’s service is comparable to that of full-service carriers, featuring amenities such as free Wi-Fi, in-flight entertainment including live TV, and spacious economy class seating with 32 to 33 inches of pitch. Passengers also enjoy complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

JetBlue also offers a premium Mint class on certain routes, including lie-flat seats.

JetBlue beat Canadian airline WestJet for the title. The Canadian carrier offers complimentary small snacks, soft beverages, and in-flight entertainment in coach but charges for larger snacks and meals, alcoholic beverages, and Wi-Fi and has more tightly-packed seats (30-31 inches of pitch). “While both airlines strike a balance between affordability and quality, JetBlue’s broader range of complimentary perks gives it the edge,” Petersen said.

Photo: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Courtesy of WestJet

Virgin Australia rounded out the top three. Its complimentary offerings are more pared back: you won’t find free snacks or blankets and pillows. Instead, it won over AirlineRankings.com with strong customer reviews and a superb cabin crew.

Virgin Australia also allows families traveling with infants to choose to check a 23kg bag for free instead of a pram, car seat, or cot, “something that many parents find more valuable,” Petersen said.

Delta came fourth, followed by United in fifth, and American Airlines in sixth.

Top 20 Hybrid Airlines

The Best Budget Carriers

In the final two categories, you won’t find free pillows or in-flight entertainment systems, and your knees may be knocking the seat in front of you. You may not have paid much to be on the flight with a low-cost or ultra-low-cost carrier, but that doesn’t mean you should put up with poor service.

AirlineRatings.com has identified the best budget carriers in two categories. It’s named Malaysian carrier AirAsia the best low-cost carrier, citing its innovative Premium Flatbed, a business class product with a discount price.

Photo: Courtesy of Airbus SAS / A Domenjou

Finally, VietJet was named the best ultra-low-cost carrier. Petersen said the Vietnamese airline has made air travel accessible to millions without sacrificing safety or efficiency. She noted onboard reviewers were especially impressed by VietJet’s cabin crew and their attention to the comfort of all passengers. Philippine airline Cebu Pacific was the runner-up.

Top 25 Budget Airlines