American carriers fail to rank among world's best airlines for 2025
Just in time for the start of this summer's busy travel season, Skytrax has named Qatar Airways the world's best airline for 2025, at its 2025 World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday.
This is the Middle Eastern carrier's ninth win at what has been dubbed as 'the 'Oscars of the aviation industry.'
'To retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving global industry reflects [our] relentless efforts across every part of the business… [as we] continue to set new standards in aviation… and a clear validation of our vision to shape the future of air travel,' Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said in a statement.
The top spots were dominated by Middle Eastern and Asian airlines known for their exceptional service, luxury cabins, and state-of-the-art in-flight products as airlines increasingly compete for the lucrative luxury market post-pandemic. Those airlines include: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and ANA All Nippon Airways, all of which took top spots after Qatar.
Singapore Airlines ranked No. 2 in the world for 2025, along with world's best cabin crew along with the world's best first class; with Cathay Pacific Airways moving up to third place, and was also awarded for the world's best inflight entertainment; Emirates ranked No. 4; with ANA All Nippon Airways in fifth position, so winning the world's best airport service; out of more than 325 airlines that were surveyed.
Here's a look at the Top 20 list:
The World Top 20 Airlines In 2025
1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Emirates
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Turkish Airlines
7. Korean Air
8. Air France
9. Japan Airlines
10. Hainan Airlines
11. Swiss Int'l Air Lines
12. EVA Air
13. British Airways
14. Qantas Airways
15. Lufthansa
16. Virgin Atlantic
17. Saudi Arabian Airlines
18. STARLUX Airlines
19. Air Canada
20. Iberia
One glaring omission: U.S. carriers. In fact, domestic airlines like Delta, American, United and JetBlue, didn't even crack even the Top 20, much less the Top 10.
A look at the world's best 100 airlines, shows Delta Airlines ranked at No. 22, trailed behind by United Airlines at No. 51, JetBlue at No. 52, Alaska Airlines at No. 69, Southwest at No. 76, American Airlines at No. 83, and Hawaiian Airlines at No. 100.
For North America, specifically, Air Canada won best regional airline; while Delta Air Lines received the award for the best airline staff service in North America.
The rankings come amid growing concerns about aviation safety in the United States after a number of staffing cuts at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and whether the cuts are causing current airport delays; and, possibly contributing to safety issues, in the wake of an alarming incident in April caused a 90-second outage in radar and communication systems at Newark Liberty International Airport, leaving controllers unable to communicate with aircraft, prompting one anonymous air traffic controller to later call the airport 'not safe.'
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