I've flown in long-haul economy on 9 international airlines over the past year. The 5-star airlines were clearly better than the rest.

Taylor RainsJan 13, 2024, 00:59 IST

Here's how the 9 international airlines I've flown on in economy since last summer compare.Taylor Rains/Insider

I've flown in the economy cabin on 9 different international airlines since last July.
My best experience was on a five-star airline, while the worst was on a Spanish budget carrier.

Since last summer, I've spent over one hundred hours crisscrossing the globe on a variety of different international airlines.

My collection of flights includes trips on Asian carriers Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and All Nippon Airways, North American airlines Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, European low-cost carriers Norse Atlantic Airways and LEVEL, and Argentinian flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas.

I had varying expectations going into each flight. While there were a few surprises, I think the carriers from Asia are easily in a league of their own. They beat every other carrier in almost every aspect of the inflight experience, from legroom and food to pillow size and storage space.

Here's a closer look at how the 9 airlines compare.

Comparing these economy cabins, each one had the typical bells and whistles of coach: a headrest, padded-enough seats, and a fine inflight entertainment system.

The cabins on Aerolineas (top left), Delta (top right), Air Canada (bottom left), and ANA (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

But, it's the more detailed amenities, like seatback pocket space, unique food, cupholders, and footrests, that make some airlines better than others.

While I didn't really like the eggs, the breakfast meal on ANA was still one of the best I've had of any carrier as it was actually morning-time food and not a sandwich or pizza.Taylor Rains/Insider

Out of the handful of airlines I've flown on since last July, Singapore and Japan's largest airline ANA are easily the best of the bunch, followed closely by Korean.

My ranking of the three, in order: Singapore (bottom), ANA (top), and Korean (left).Taylor Rains/Insider

The first two carriers boasted well-padded seats and generous legroom — 32 inches on Singapore and 34 inches on ANA.

The author's legroom on ANA.Taylor Rains/Insider

Also impressing me was the ample storage space on both carriers, with the seatback pockets’ various slots making it easier to organize my stuff.

The seatback pockets on Singapore (top left), Air Canada (top right), ANA (bottom left), and United (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

As far as Korean, it also boasted an incredible amount of legroom and was the only airline of the nine to offer a proper amenity kit in economy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

However, the Seoul-based carrier lacked onboard WiFi and had minimal storage space.

Korean Air had great legroom, but was paired with a pretty basic seatback pocket.Taylor Rains/Insider

And, although Korean had a nice blanket, the pillow could be improved — it reminded me of United's due to the texture of the pillowcase.

The various pillows and blankets on Korean (top left), United (top right), Singapore (bottom left), and Delta (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

Norse and LEVEL, however, did not offer free linens thanks to their a-la-carte business model typical of low-cost carriers — so plan to pay up, bring your own, or go without.

A full comfort kit on Norse cost $9, while a blanket cost $6.50.Taylor Rains/Insider

Norse and LEVEL, however, did not offer free linens thanks to their a-la-carte business model typical of low-cost carriers — so plan to pay up, bring your own, or go without.

Speaking of LEVEL, its budget model also means it offered the worst pitch at just 30 inches — and it was the worst ride of the group.

The author's legroom on LEVEL.Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta was the only North American carrier that offered up to 32 inches of pitch, and my flight was actually one of the better transatlantic journeys I'd been on up until that point.

The window and aisle seat on Delta's 767.Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta was the only North American carrier that offered up to 32 inches of pitch, and my flight was actually one of the better transatlantic journeys I'd been on up until that point.

Granted, I flew on Delta — as well as many of the others — before I flew on ANA and Singapore. And, the latter flights have definitely soured my overall view of the other airlines.

The first row of the Singapore A380 economy cabin.Taylor Rains/Insider

Granted, I flew on Delta — as well as many of the others — before I flew on ANA and Singapore. And, the latter flights have definitely soured my overall view of the other airlines.

Essentially, Singapore, ANA, and even Korean — to an extent — take the basic necessities of long-haul flying and simply elevate it to a higher standard.

The remote and TV on ANA, the mirror in the tray table on Singapore, and the footrest on ANA.Taylor Rains/Insider

This was particularly blatant after my recent United flights between London and Newark, New Jersey, in August.

The seats were configured in a 2x3x2 layout, so I only had an aisle seat neighbor.Taylor Rains/Insider

For example, most airlines lacked the cupholders that were present on Singapore and Korean, which stood out as a particularly convenient perk.

The cupholders on Korean (top left), Singapore (top right), and Aerolineas (bottom). The latter's was broken on my flight, though.Taylor Rains/Insider

Things like a clean and stocked bathroom, tasty food, and better linens were also present on the Asian airlines, and they truly make a big difference.

The lavatories on ANA (top left), Singapore (right), and United (bottom left). United's was never clean.Taylor Rains/Insider

The five-star food was particularly impressive, each offering traditional meal options like noodles, rice porridge, sushi, and edamame.

Meals on ANA (top left), Singapore (top right), and Korean (bottom).Taylor Rains/Insider

While not the most visually appealing food, the meals on Delta were the best among the North American airlines.

I know the curry looks questionable, but it was delicious.Taylor Rains/Insider

Air Canada's food, on the other hand, was basically inedible. United and Aerolineas' weren't the best, either.

The less-than-tasty food on Air Canada (top left, bottom right), Aerolineas (top right), and United (bottom left).Taylor Rains/Insider

While I didn't eat much onboard, Air Canada's 787 cabin was perfectly comfortable. But, I'd still prefer United, Delta, and even Norse over it.

Flying internationally on an Air Canada 787 in July 2022.Taylor Rains/Insider

Norse was actually the biggest surprise among the nine airlines I've flown on over the past 14 months.

Taylor Rains/Insider

This is thanks to its well-cushioned seat, good food, headrest, and 31 inches of pitch — which is more than expected for a budget airline.

Norse checked my required box of having a good headrest.Taylor Rains/Insider

Based on all of the pros and cons I've highlighted, Singapore offered the overall best economy experience out of the nine carriers.

Singapore was comfortable and spacious, and I loved the eye mask and thick blanket.Taylor Rains/Insider

ANA and Korean also had great products, with Delta being my favorite of the North and South American carriers.

The seatback screen on Delta's Boeing 767-300ER.Taylor Rains/Insider

Now, while I have picked on United and it's lower on my personal ranking list, I still think it's a good airline and one I'll continue to fly on.

When I flew United in July 2022, I remember there being better food and service.Taylor Rains/Insider

However, at the bottom of the pack is LEVEL.

The LEVEL plane in Barcelona.Taylor Rains/Insider

I also ranked Air Canada and Aerolineas lower than the other mainline carriers on the list.

The amenities on Aerolineas including the TV, remote, and footrest.Taylor Rains/Insider

Norse was the airline that most exceeded my expectations, and I'd actually easily book it over other low-cost options — and even some mainline carriers if the price is right.

The Norse 787 seats showing width.Taylor Rains/Insider

Norse was the airline that most exceeded my expectations, and I'd actually easily book it over other low-cost options — and even some mainline carriers if the price is right.

For example, a one-way flight from an NYC-area airport to Berlin on October 17 is about $200 on Norse — it's over $1,000 on both Delta and United, according to Google Flights.

Screenshot shows the prices between New York/Newark and Berlin on Google Flights.Google Flights

For example, a one-way flight from an NYC-area airport to Berlin on October 17 is about $200 on Norse — it's over $1,000 on both Delta and United, according to Google Flights.

Granted, Norse's fares are all unbundled — but they can still be significantly cheaper even with the extra fees. It's still good to do the math before booking.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I tried making 3 family dinners in an air fryer. Taco meat was surprisingly easy to make, but I won't put pasta in there again.

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I've flown in long-haul economy on 9 international airlines over the past year. The 5-star airlines were clearly better than the rest.

Comparing these economy cabins, each one had the typical bells and whistles of coach: a headrest, padded-enough seats, and a fine inflight entertainment system.

But, it's the more detailed amenities, like seatback pocket space, unique food, cupholders, and footrests, that make some airlines better than others.

Out of the handful of airlines I've flown on since last July, Singapore and Japan's largest airline ANA are easily the best of the bunch, followed closely by Korean.

The first two carriers boasted well-padded seats and generous legroom — 32 inches on Singapore and 34 inches on ANA.

Also impressing me was the ample storage space on both carriers, with the seatback pockets’ various slots making it easier to organize my stuff.

As far as Korean, it also boasted an incredible amount of legroom and was the only airline of the nine to offer a proper amenity kit in economy.

However, the Seoul-based carrier lacked onboard WiFi and had minimal storage space.

And, although Korean had a nice blanket, the pillow could be improved — it reminded me of United's due to the texture of the pillowcase.

Norse and LEVEL, however, did not offer free linens thanks to their a-la-carte business model typical of low-cost carriers — so plan to pay up, bring your own, or go without.

Speaking of LEVEL, its budget model also means it offered the worst pitch at just 30 inches — and it was the worst ride of the group.

Delta was the only North American carrier that offered up to 32 inches of pitch, and my flight was actually one of the better transatlantic journeys I'd been on up until that point.

Granted, I flew on Delta — as well as many of the others — before I flew on ANA and Singapore. And, the latter flights have definitely soured my overall view of the other airlines.

Essentially, Singapore, ANA, and even Korean — to an extent — take the basic necessities of long-haul flying and simply elevate it to a higher standard.

This was particularly blatant after my recent United flights between London and Newark, New Jersey, in August.

For example, most airlines lacked the cupholders that were present on Singapore and Korean, which stood out as a particularly convenient perk.

Things like a clean and stocked bathroom, tasty food, and better linens were also present on the Asian airlines, and they truly make a big difference.

The five-star food was particularly impressive, each offering traditional meal options like noodles, rice porridge, sushi, and edamame.

While not the most visually appealing food, the meals on Delta were the best among the North American airlines.

Air Canada's food, on the other hand, was basically inedible. United and Aerolineas' weren't the best, either.

While I didn't eat much onboard, Air Canada's 787 cabin was perfectly comfortable. But, I'd still prefer United, Delta, and even Norse over it.

Norse was actually the biggest surprise among the nine airlines I've flown on over the past 14 months.

This is thanks to its well-cushioned seat, good food, headrest, and 31 inches of pitch — which is more than expected for a budget airline.

Based on all of the pros and cons I've highlighted, Singapore offered the overall best economy experience out of the nine carriers.

ANA and Korean also had great products, with Delta being my favorite of the North and South American carriers.

Now, while I have picked on United and it's lower on my personal ranking list, I still think it's a good airline and one I'll continue to fly on.

However, at the bottom of the pack is LEVEL.

I also ranked Air Canada and Aerolineas lower than the other mainline carriers on the list.

Norse was the airline that most exceeded my expectations, and I'd actually easily book it over other low-cost options — and even some mainline carriers if the price is right.

For example, a one-way flight from an NYC-area airport to Berlin on October 17 is about $200 on Norse — it's over $1,000 on both Delta and United, according to Google Flights.

Granted, Norse's fares are all unbundled — but they can still be significantly cheaper even with the extra fees. It's still good to do the math before booking.