South Korea’s flagship carrier is ranked No 10 on the list for its exceptional service and on-board amenities. Headquartered in Seoul, this leading international carrier flies to 43 countries.

Fun fact: There is a special livery on a Korean Air 777-300ER that showcases the names of every one of the airline’s employees.

9. Eva Air

An Airbus A330-200 owned by Taiwanese airline Eva Air takes off from Tokyo’s Narita International. Photo: Kyodo

Eva Air, a Taiwanese carrier, has been operating since 1989. As a member of the Star Alliance the airline boasts an extensive network, connecting more than 60 prominent business and tourist destinations across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. Skytrax also credited the airline for having the world’s best premium economy class.

Fun fact: Eva Air was intended to be called Evergreen Airlines but the name was already taken.

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8. Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific’s home base is at Chek Lap Kok, at the airport in Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse

Cathay Pacific, the home-grown airline of Hong Kong, has established itself among the most popular airlines around. As a founding member of the OneWorld Global Alliance, the airline operates both passenger and cargo services, connecting to over 200 destinations worldwide. Cathay Pacific also takes pride in its in-flight entertainment, which has garnered recognition from Skytrax as the world’s best.

Fun fact: In a new collaboration, Cathay Pacific is serving Michelin-starred food from renowned Hong Kong restaurant Duddell’s for business and first-class passengers.

7. Air France

Air France Boeing 777-328ER takes off from Los Angeles international Airport in January 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Launched in 1933, Air France merged with KLM in 2004 to become one of Europe’s leading airlines thanks to its service and network of flights. With 1,500 daily departures, the carrier takes passengers from Paris to destinations across Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Fun fact: From the 1970s to 2003, Air France partnered with British Airways in running supersonic flights on Concorde.

6. Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines Boeing 777-300 at the gate at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Shutterstock

Boasting that, “We fly to more countries than any other airline in the world” – 129 in 2019 – Turkish Airlines reaches around 340 individual destinations across the globe. The Istanbul-based company was founded in 1933 and is a member of Star Alliance.

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Fun fact: Turkish Airlines seems to have an affinity for football, having sponsored many individual clubs leading Manchester United, Aston Villa, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, and is the current sponsor of the UEFA Champions League.

5. Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines’ Boeing 737-800. Photo: Kyodo

Tokyo-based Japan Airlines (JAL), founded more than 70 years ago, secures a top spot in Skytrax’s rankings. With four major hubs, across Tokyo and Osaka, and a wide range of destinations across the globe, the airline is known for its service and safety record. This year it also bagged the title of world’s best economy class.

Fun fact: Japan Airlines is an official sponsor of the Japanese national football team.

4. Emirates

Emirates’ Boeing 777-31H (ER) takes off from Los Angeles international Airport in January 2021. Photo: GC Images
This Dubai-based airline is renowned for its five-star service, facilities and impressive on-board entertainment. Serving 152 destinations with a fleet of 262 aircraft, it was also one of the first airlines to rebound after the pandemic, carrying 15.8 million passengers in 2020.

Fun fact: Emirates’ A380 business class features a bar, where guests can sit at the counter or next to the window while savouring a freshly made cocktail. Just like the movies!

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3. All Nippon Airways

All Nippon Airways A380s in formation. Photo: Handout

The second Japanese airline on this list is ANA which operates a comprehensive domestic network of 118 domestic routes as well as serving 82 international destinations, from its twin hubs of Narita and Haneda.

Fun fact: ANA touts itself as the largest airline in Japan by passenger number – bigger even than JAL – although the flag carrier claims more US destinations.

2. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airlines aeroplane at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Shutterstock

Based in Doha, Qatar Airways landed a spot as the second best airline in the world this year – falling from No 1 for the first time since 2019. The airline is renowned for its exceptional in-flight services, particularly its top-ranked business class. With an extensive network of over 150 destinations, stretching as far as Australia and North America, Qatar Airways has garnered a loyal following among passengers.

Fun fact: The logo of Qatar Airways is the oryx, the graceful national animal of Qatar.

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1. Singapore Airlines

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft at Changi Airport in Singapore in November 2021. Photo: Bloomberg

Going from second place last year to claim the top spot, Singapore’s national airline took first for its world-class customer service, in-flight gourmet menus and state-of-the-art entertainment system. The premium carrier, which flies to destinations across the globe, also took home the award for world’s best first class.

Fun fact: Singapore Airlines operates the longest scheduled flight in the world, three times a week between Singapore and New York.