Embarking on an international journey is exciting, whether it’s for a year of remote work, a dream honeymoon, or simply to escape the ordinary. But choosing the right airline can significantly impact your travel experience. If you’re wondering What Is The Best Airline To Fly International, you’ve come to the right place.
Several factors come into play when selecting the best airline. Affordability is often a primary concern, and convenient flight schedules with direct flights and minimal layovers are highly valued. Beyond logistics, onboard amenities like in-flight entertainment, comfort, and food quality are crucial for a pleasant journey.
Furthermore, loyalty programs, baggage policies, safety records, lounge access, and increasingly, environmental responsibility are important aspects to consider.
This guide will explore the top international airlines across the globe, helping you determine which one best suits your needs for your next adventure.
Discovering the World’s Best Airlines for International Flights
Singapore Airlines: The Gold Standard
Singapore Airlines consistently ranks as the world’s best international airline, renowned for its luxury, comfort, reliability, and exceptional safety record. SkyTrax has repeatedly named Singapore Airlines as Airline of the Year, a testament to its extensive global network, superior customer service, and opulent facilities.
For travelers seeking a premium international flying experience, Singapore Airlines is unmatched. Frequent flyers often praise the ‘Book the Cook’ service, allowing passengers to pre-order gourmet meals crafted by renowned chefs. This bespoke dining experience elevates the in-flight meal far beyond typical airline food.
Currently, Singapore Airlines serves 75 international destinations across 32 countries on 5 continents. It also holds the titles of Best Asian Airline and World’s Best First Class Airlines from the 2023 World Airline Awards, solidifying its position as a leader in international air travel.
Key International Hubs:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)
- Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle & Aéroport d’Orly (Paris, France)
- Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town, South Africa)
- O.R Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Alt text: Passengers boarding a Singapore Airlines plane, highlighting the airline’s reputation for excellent international travel.
Top 10 International Airlines: Consistent Excellence
To identify airlines with consistently high standards for international travel, we analyzed SkyTrax rankings over the past five years, calculating average placements. This provides a broader perspective beyond single-year rankings and highlights airlines that consistently deliver exceptional service.
Here are the top 10 best airlines for international flights based on our analysis for early 2025:
- Qatar Airways – Average Rank: 1.2
- Singapore Airlines – Average Rank: 1.8
- ANA All Nippon Airways – Average Rank: 3.4
- Emirates – Average Rank: 3.8
- Cathay Pacific Airways – Average Rank: 5.75
- Japan Airlines – Average Rank: 6.6
- Turkish Airlines – Average Rank: 6.67
- Qantas Airways – Average Rank: 7.0
- EVA Air – Average Rank: 7.5
- Air France – Average Rank: 8.5
For comparison, here’s the top 10 from the 2024 rankings:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas Airways
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
The top four airlines have maintained their dominance, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to quality and innovation in international air travel. Cathay Pacific Airways and Japan Airlines swapped positions, while Turkish Airlines re-entered the top 10, replacing Swiss International Air Lines. Qantas Airways, EVA Air, and Air France have shown stable performance, consistently placing within the top echelon.
European Leaders in International Air Travel
Turkish Airlines: Bridging Continents
Turkish Airlines is recognized as the Best European Airline (World Airline Awards 2023) and stands out for its extensive international network, modern aircraft, luxurious amenities, and award-winning cuisine. It also received accolades for the Best Economy Class Seat in Europe and ranked as the 6th Best Airline in the World (World Airline Awards 2023).
Turkish Airlines boasts an impressive reach, flying to over 270 destinations in 129 countries across 5 continents, making it the airline that flies to the most countries worldwide. This vast network makes its Istanbul Airport hub a crucial international transit point.
Istanbul Airport is not only a major hub but also a world-class facility, securing second place in the Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, 2023 for best airports. It’s also highly rated as an airport for layovers due to its modern design, cleanliness, diverse shopping and dining options, and on-site accommodation choices.
Key International Hubs:
- Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja, Nigeria)
- Kotoka International Airport (Accra, Ghana)
- Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Baku, Azerbaijan)
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (Beirut, Lebanon)
Alt text: Modern architecture and passenger flow at Istanbul Airport, a major international hub for Turkish Airlines.
Africa’s Best for International Connections
Ethiopian Airlines: Connecting Africa to the World
Ethiopian Airlines is consistently named the best airline in Africa, and for good reason. As the continent’s largest carrier, it operates a modern and diverse fleet, offering an extensive network of destinations both within Africa and internationally.
Ethiopian Airlines plays a vital role in connecting Africa to the rest of the world, offering numerous routes to major international cities.
Key International Hubs:
- Kotoka International Airport (Accra, Ghana)
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Moi International Airport (Mombasa, Kenya)
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
- King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Top US Airline for International Travel
Delta Air Lines: Customer Satisfaction and Comfort
Delta Air Lines is a leading US carrier known for its high customer satisfaction, exceptional service, and attention to detail in seating and reservations. Delta consistently ranks as one of the best airlines for international travel originating from the United States.
Delta is also recognized for its superior in-flight amenities, offering a balance of comfort and value for both casual and frequent flyers. It has been awarded Best Business Class Airline in North America, Best Premium Economy Airline in North America, and Best Economy Class Airline in North America at the 2023 World Airline Awards.
Delta operates over 5,400 daily flights to 325 destinations in 52 countries across 6 continents, providing extensive international connectivity.
Key International Hubs:
- José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos, Nigeria)
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (Berlin, Germany)
- Cologne Bonn Airport (Cologne, Germany)
- Düsseldorf International Airport (Düsseldorf, Germany)
- Frankfurt International Airport (Frankfurt, Germany)
- Munich Airport (Munich, Germany)
Delta Airlines Long Haul Flight
Honorable Mentions: Exceptional International Airline Services
United Airlines: Reaching the Most Exotic Destinations
United Airlines excels in connecting travelers to a vast array of destinations, including some of the most exotic locations worldwide. With access to 332 destinations in 74 countries across 6 continents, United offers unparalleled global reach. United was also named Best Business Class Airline with the best lounges in the United States at the 2023 World Airline Awards.
For adventurers seeking far-flung destinations, United Airlines provides a comfortable and reliable option.
Key International Hubs:
- Brussels Airport – Zaventem (Brussels, Belgium)
- Dubrovnik Airport (Dubrovnik, Croatia)
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Nice, France)
- Faro Airport – Gago Coutinho (Faro, Portugal)
- Lisbon Airport – Humberto Delgado (Lisbon, Portugal)
- Porto Airport – Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto, Portugal)
Airlines Leading in Sustainability
For environmentally conscious travelers, a growing number of airlines are prioritizing sustainability. Delta, United, KLM, British Airways, and even Ryanair are making significant strides in environmental initiatives.
These airlines are investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, implementing fuel-saving programs, and exploring sustainable aviation fuels to reduce their carbon footprint. Choosing these airlines can help minimize the environmental impact of your international travel.
Business Class Cabin
Premium Cabin Choices for International Flights
Best Business-Class Airlines for International Travel
Business class on top international airlines offers a near-first-class experience. Expect enhanced comfort with private cabins, gourmet on-demand dining, premium amenities, priority airport services, and excellent workspaces with power outlets and Wi-Fi.
Leading business-class airlines for international travel include:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- All Nippon Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Qantas Airways
- Oman Air
Best First-Class Airlines for International Travel
First class represents the pinnacle of luxury air travel. While distinctions between first and business class can vary, first-class international flights typically include private suites with fully flat beds, lavish amenities, gourmet dining with curated menus, and extensive in-flight entertainment.
Top-rated first-class airlines for international journeys are:
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Lufthansa
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- All Nippon Airways
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Japan Airlines
Premium Economy Seating
Best Premium Economy Airlines for International Travel
Premium economy provides a middle ground between economy and business class, offering enhanced comfort and amenities at a more accessible price point. Most leading international airlines offer a premium economy or similar class.
Top premium economy airlines for international flights include:
- Delta Air Lines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Air France
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Emirates
- EVA Air
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- British Airways
Budget-Friendly International Airlines
While dream destinations are limitless, budgets sometimes are not. Fortunately, numerous budget airlines offer cost-effective fares without sacrificing essential service, making international travel more accessible.
Highly-rated budget airlines for international travel, especially within Europe, Asia, and transatlantically, include:
- Norwegian
- airBaltic
- AirAsia
- Southwest Airlines
- Scoot
- Jet2
- TAP Air Portugal
- EasyJet
- Ryanair
- Wizz Air
Budget Airline Interior
Top Airlines Specifically for Long-Haul International Flights
While the top airlines mentioned throughout this guide are excellent for international travel in general, some long-haul specialists are particularly praised for their comfort and attention to detail on extended flights.
Consider these airlines for your next long international journey:
- Air India
- Air Japan
- Ethiopian Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Emirates Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
Seamless Ground Transportation with Bolt
Even the best international flight experience can be diminished by ground transportation hassles upon arrival. Bolt offers a convenient and affordable solution for airport transfers and city travel.
With a presence in over 600 cities across more than 50 countries in Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and Latin America, Bolt’s extensive network ensures reliable transportation wherever your international travels take you. From airport pickups to city exploration, the Bolt app provides easy access to cars, e-bikes, and scooters. You can even schedule rides in advance for early morning departures or planned day trips.
Download the Bolt app today for stress-free ground transportation on your next international adventure.
