Airline Ratings: World’s Best Airlines 2026

[dajop]

Every ranking will have faults, some screamingly obvious ones, but I don't mind them, esp when the methodology is clearly explained (no so much here, though). And I bet GT has a laugh when reading comments from people who hate the whole thing and say it isn't worth presenting.

The list itself of the top airlines is generally fine. - it’s always going to be somewhat subjective and a case of YMMV., especially within the top 10.

I do have a problem with the methodology they use for separating out Hybrid carriers . Not sure how Air NZ, JetBlue , Air France and KLM (“full service”) differ in that regard from hybrid carries such as BA, Lufthansa, American etc. All have a mix of LCC and full service.

A quick glance, for example, of the NZ website when booking TT or domestic, makes it pretty clear they have a hybrid offering on short - medium haul flights.

 

[Bundy Bear]

If you’ve scored an Aria seat, it is better than QSuite IMHO.

CX F&B has recovered considerably since the post COVID lows plus I’m seeing more reports suggesting that QR continues to slide (or at least isn’t as consistent as it used to be).

I am flying economy, but a few recent youtube reports seems that the service is decent, I have scored an exit row on the overnight flight up to Hong Kong.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The list itself of the top airlines is generally fine. - it’s always going to be somewhat subjective and a case of YMMV., especially within the top 10.

I do have a problem with the methodology they use for separating out Hybrid carriers . Not sure how Air NZ, JetBlue , Air France and KLM (“full service”) differ in that regard from hybrid carries such as BA, Lufthansa, American etc. All have a mix of LCC and full service.

A quick glance, for example, of the NZ website when booking TT or domestic, makes it pretty clear they have a hybrid offering on short - medium haul flights.

NZ differs because… the CEO of AR says so!

CEO Sharon Petersen said, “I’ve been flying Air New Zealand economy since 2014, and it just never disappoints. Now I have a young family, little things like extra amenities, helpful crew, in-flight entertainment, and meal options really matter, and Air New Zealand gets it right every single time.”

 

[Aeryn]

Air NZ cant be full service as they dont have J on domestic flights, its an all whY fleet. I found this out recently as have to go to DUD in December and neither NZ or JQ offered J from Auckland or Christchurch, only LCC whY i.e no meal.

Yet can at least get euro J on LHR-EDI with a full hot breaky on BA.

So clear these guys have no idea what full service is. I meqn it is apthetic for a national carrier to only offer LCC experience on domestic flights.

 

[moa999]

have a problem with the methodology they use for separating out Hybrid carriers .

Like everything a bit subjective.

Personally think they'd be better separating out International long haul Economy (and even Business) vs short haul/ domestic (where applicable).

Eg. Air NZ long haul product is quite good, but domestic/TT is far more LCC-esque.

Even Qantas is essentially moving to only offering seatback IFE on its widebodies.

And obviously then doesn't bring down all the Euro airlines due to Euro business.

 

[justinbrett]

Maybe Sunrise/Today spots are drying up and GT needs something to talk about.

 

[Aeryn]

In this day of almost everyone having a smart phone, tablet or laptop when travelling id rank seat back entertainment as significantly lower consideration compared with having more than one class, extra leg room options, hot meal, seat comfort, lounge, power in seat etc.

So easy to bring own entrtainment (just download content before), i only ever look at map on IFE.

 

[dajop]

In this day of almost everyone having a smart phone, tablet or laptop when travelling id rank seat back entertainment as significantly lower consideration compared with having more than one class, extra leg room options, hot meal, seat comfort, lounge, power in seat etc.

So easy to bring own entrtainment (just download content before), i only ever look at map on IFE.

On short haul, agree. However, on long haul the ergonomics of BYOD are not great on a 13 hr flight, watching something on a small phone screen, even moreso if there's no holder.

 

[Aeryn]

I watch entertainmemt on tablet, save phone battery for arrival.On older planes the IFE can be smaller and definitely lower resolution than my tablet. Pus many ways to attach device to a seat back, zero need to hold in hands. YMMV, but a comforrable seat always worth more than IFE IMO, as one can always bring a book (real, audio or e-reader).

 

[jase05]

But air france also has excellent food!

My last long haul AF flight the J seat was probably the best J seat I’ve encountered but food was terrible and the staff even worse.
For a country that is the supposed centre of the wine world I was very disappointed at their wine options

 

[stu961]

Look, not defending their methodology, but First class is just a tiny proportion of their overall offerings, so the weighting shouldn't be so much. And I don't think its just a list of airlines Aussies might be familiar with. In that 'full service' list there are a number that I don't think Australians would fly a lot (Starlux, LOT, Transsat, Virgin Atlantic ... ). Yes, of course some do, maybe many in total, but a different league to SQ, QR, QF, BA etc.

So, reading their top 10 of the 'full service' list, I'm sorta nodding. 'YMMV'

And about the 'full service' Vs hybrid distinction. Note the preponderance of European airlines in the 'hybrids'. I reckon the split has largely been made to account for 'Eurobusiness' and also the generally coughpy domestic 'business' product of north American airlines. Should 'Eurobusiness' be compared directly with the short or medium haul business of Qantas, SQ etc? It could, but then your fantastic First Classes and any decent Economy Class would be totally sunk by the 'business that is really economy'. But the AF and KLM anomalies noted.

And, sticking my neck out further, they seem to give quite a lot of weight to Economy in distinguishing the two lists, perhaps a stranger territory to many of us here, and I think that's good. Can buy-on-board meal experience be compared directly to all-included?

Every ranking will have faults, some screamingly obvious ones, but I don't mind them, esp when the methodology is clearly explained (no so much here, though). And I bet GT has a laugh when reading comments from people who hate the whole thing and say it isn't worth presenting.

exactly... this is so not an apples with apples, it's a best endeavors .. comparing 1st class is a non starter, less than 1% of the flying public, am I going to pay for 1st!!! if business or client paying then this is a totally separate category, could include private jets if money is not a consideration ... euro business is another example, flying BA "Eurobiz" VLC to LHR for AUD $ 229 in June, 2h 40m flight.. I'm all ears for a 2h 40m rack biz rate flight in Australia!!