Revealed: The best airlines in the world

Everyone knows what makes a bad airline. Delayed (or cancelled) flights, poor customer service, uncomfortable planes… the usual stuff. But best airlines? Well, they don’t seem to get as much airtime. But they definitely should – a decent flight can make a massive difference to your travel experience.

If you’re wondering which airlines are the best in the world right now, we’ve got just the ticket. Plane carrier review site AirlineRatings.com has revealed its official ranking of the best airlines in the world for 2023, considering a huge range of factors including quality of service, safety levels, and innovation.

Second was Qatar Airways, which topped the past two years’ rankings, while the third was Etihad Airways, thanks to its Greenliner programme testing out ways of making air travel more environment-friendly. It’s worth mentioning that it’s very, very unlikely that air travel can ever be truly ‘green’.

Air New Zealand’s “commitment to the economy passenger and on long haul offers more comfort options than any other airline”.

Travellers began flying again in larger numbers in 2022 following two years of severely hampered plans due to the Covid pandemic.

But there was widespread disruption as passengers returned to a shrunken industry, with cancelled flights, issues around staffing, and record numbers of lost luggage, all of which influenced decisions in choosing this year’s strongest airlines.

In third place was Etihad Airways, which also won the Best Environmental Airlines Award for its “Greenliner” programme, designed to test new eco-friendly technologies.

The UK’s flag carrier, British Airways, was ranked 17^th best in the world.

Here are the official best airlines in the world in 2023, according to AirlineRatings.com

It’s important to note that rankings and opinions can vary widely depending on the source and criteria used. Therefore, the “best airline” for any individual would depend on their specific travel needs and preferences.