The World’s Best Airline List In 2019—And What To Expect in 2020

What is the best airline in the world? Why do no US carriers feature in the Top 20? These are questions that I am regularly asked on my travels around the world. Several different lists publish the worlds’ best airlines. The most respected of these is the Skytrax list that recently published its top airlines in 2019.

With more airlines receiving the new generation of wide-body aircraft at an ever-increasing rate, from Boeing’s 787, to the upcoming 777x next year, and Airbus’ A350 and A330neos, can we expect to see any big changes on this list next year?

Skytrax ratings don’t just include the seat (the hard product), but also the airline’s soft product offered—this can be anything from the cabin crew to the food and amenities onboard.

Below is the ranking of the top 10 2019 list of the world’s best airlines rated by Skytrax, and my thoughts on what we can expect to see in terms of movers and shakers in 2020. 

Thai Airways

A solid contender in the top 10 and a regular winner of awards such as the best airline staff in Asia this year.

Thai Airways offers a consistently great economy product but a very hit-or-miss business and first-class product depending on which aircraft type you’re flying on. This lack of consistency is likely why Thai Airways rarely breaks into the top 5 airlines, however, they will remain around the top 10 into next year.

Lufthansa

It is tough to argue with Lufthansa winning the award for Europe’s best airline. But then again, there is relatively little competition for a really high quality and consistent product in Europe. British Airways would be seen as a major rival but seldom creeps into any top 10 list due to an inconsistent product—some days British Airways can be one of the best airlines in the world, and on others, mediocre at best.

Next year I think it will difficult for Lufthansa to remain in the top 10, with huge improvements from Swiss (a Lufthansa subsidiary) proving strong competition.

Qantas Airways

Qantas has consistently been one of the world’s top 10 airlines and there should be little reason for that to change next year. A great product on their new 787s and more ultra-long haul routes being touted to link Sydney and London/New York direct will solidify what is a consistently good product.

Hainan Airlines

An airline that few people outside of Asia may have heard of. Competition in China is stiff, and Chinese airlines have long had a reputation for providing sub-par international service. Enter: Hainan Airlines. Their hard product is decent but not groundbreaking, however, with incredibly friendly and attentive staff, Hainan has become the top-rated airline in China.

With China Eastern and China Southern introducing some great new seats on their A350s, it might be very difficult for Hainan to hold on to a top 10 spot in 2020.

EVA Airways

Another well deserved top 10 spot for the Taiwanese carrier Eva Airways. Eva has consistently featured in Top 10 ratings, and there is little about this ranking that is misplaced or that should change in 2020

Emirates

Possibly the biggest surprise on this list for me. Emirates is not a five-star airline, and despite winning the best inflight entertainment award multiple years in a row, there are many deserving five star airlines out there worthy of this spot. The Emirates service is mediocre at times and I recently wrote a Forbes article explaining how airline marketing can be deceiving. The article included Emirates who promote their “game changer” first-class seat (which is only available on nine out of 277 aircraft), and a business-class product on their most common aircraft, the 777, that is configured in a 2-3-2 cramped layout and lacking fully lay flat-beds–which is a very basic necessity for a world-class airline in 2020. Hardly what you would expect from one of the world’s most well-marketed airlines. The UAE’s other major airline, Etihad, would be fully deserving of this top 10 spot, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Etihad enter the top 10 next year, at the expense of Emirates.

Cathay Pacific

No surprises here that Cathay Pacific makes it into the top 5 again, and I would expect little to change next year. Great crew, a solid product in every class, and newly delivered a350s mean that Cathay is keeping up with the competition. Their current 777 product is now nearly a decade old, and yet remains a top-quality seat in both business and economy, which demonstrates just how “right” Cathay Pacific got their product.

ANA—All Nippon Airways

A top 10 list wouldn’t be complete without one of the fantastic Japanese carriers. This year ANA has pipped Japan Airlines, but expect these two airlines to fiercely compete for a top 10 spot. For now, though, this is well deserved.

Singapore Airlines

Last year’s number one airline has been knocked off the top spot, and it’s hard to argue with the top two airlines, it is just the order that is up for debate. Singapore Airlines is a truly fantastic airline and a passenger favorite. I don’t expect to see the top two change in 2020, as one and two on this list are truly the world’s best airlines. It is difficult to argue against this.

Qatar Airways

We have a new number one this year! Very few aviation critics would argue with Qatar Airways taking the top spot. A fantastic new economy product and the infamous Qsuites (business class), whoch passengers have talked about in high regard globally. The Qsuites have won many awards with passenger reviews comparing the product to many first class seats. With the concept rivalling most first class products, coupled with great cabin crew and an extensive global network, this means that next year Qatar Airways will exclusively fight for first place with Singapore Airlines (again).