Thelife- The Airline Passenger Experience Association has determined the world's five-star global airlines.
- Twenty-three carriers made the cut based on surveys collected over nearly 1 million flights.
The Airline Passenger Experience Association, known as
APEX, which is one of the world's largest international airline associations, dropped its 2022 airline ratings honoring carriers found to excel in things like seat comfort, the food and beverage service, and in-flight entertainment. APEX said the ratings were based on airline passenger surveys that rated nearly 1 million flights across 600 worldwide carriers on a five-star scale.
After collecting the surveys, which were conducted in partnership with TripIt, APEX "verifies, validates, and independently certifies the customer data" through a professional third-party auditing organization. According to the association, only a handful of airlines receive the five-star rating.
"Only verified five-star ratings from passengers help airlines reach this highest level requiring the vast majority of their independently verified customer ratings to be five-star," APEX said in a press release. "For example, APEX requires four times the number of five-star votes to counteract a single one-star vote. This provides tremendous power to customers when they are disappointed by their customer experience as airlines rely upon feedback to further improve their in-flight product and airline service."
Of the 23 global carriers that ranked highest by passengers, three were from the US:
Here's a closer look at the 23 five-star global carriers. The airlines are listed alphabetically.
Aeroflot Russian Airlines
Aeroflot is Russia's flag carrier and was founded in 1923. The airline has a robust domestic and international network serving destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Aeromexico
Aeromexico is Mexico's flag carrier and was established in 1934. The airline has a robust domestic and international network serving destinations in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
Air Canada
Air Canada is the national carrier of Canada, having been founded in 1936. The airline is the largest carrier in the country and operates in North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
American Airlines
The Dallas-based American Airlines was formed in 1936 and is the largest carrier in the world. The company has a strong domestic and international route map with flights across the US as well as to Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central America, and South America.
Cathay Pacific
Established in 1946, Cathay is Hong Kong's flag carrier with service covering Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
China Airlines
China Airlines is the state-owned national carrier of Taiwan and was founded in 1959. The company is based in Taipei and has a domestic and international network operating in Asia, North America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Pacific.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is the US's oldest airline still operating, having been founding in 1925. Along with being a five-star airline, the Atlanta-based company was also given APEX's Passenger Choice Award for best WiFi. Delta operates a huge domestic and international network spanning six continents and up to 300 destinations worldwide.
El Al
Founded in 1948, El Al is the flag carrier of Israel and operates to Europe, the America, Africa and Asia. The airline holds the record for the most passengers carried on a commercial flight when it airlifted 1,088 Jews from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Israel aboard a Boeing 747, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Emirates
Emirates was founded in 1985 and is one of the world's fastest-growing carriers, with more than 260 planes and flights across six continents. The company, based in Dubai, is one of the two national carriers of the
Etihad Airways
Founded in 2003, Etihad is the youngest airline on APEX's list and is the second national carrier of the UAE alongside Emirates. Based in Abu Dhabi, the airline has a rapidly growing international network across the Middle East and to Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia, as well as a robust cargo division.
EVA Air
EVA is the second-largest airline in Taiwan, behind China Airlines, and is a younger airline compared with others on the list, having been founded in 1989. The carrier operates flights to China as well as Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada and the US. APEX also honored EVA this year with Passenger Choice Award for best cabin service.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines was founded in 1951 and is one of two flag carriers of Japan. The Tokyo-based carrier operates an extensive network across Japan as well as in Europe, Canada, the US, and Australia. Japan Airlines also received recognition as one of APEX's "World Class" airlines.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM is the world's oldest airline in service still operating under its original name, having been founded in 1919. The company is based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and is the Netherlands' national carrier, with flights across five continents. KLM was also named a "World Class" airline by APEX.
Korean Air
Korean Air is the second South Korean carrier to make the five-star list, alongside Asiana Airlines, and was founded in 1969. The Seoul-based airline has a strong international network serving destinations across Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. The company also operates one of the world's largest cargo divisions.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa was formed in 1953 and is Germany's flag carrier. The company has a robust network via its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich and flies extensively in Europe as well as in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, North America, South America, and Africa.
Qatar Airways
Qatar is one of the younger airlines on the list, having been established in 1993, and is based in Doha, Qatar. The company offers flights to the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and North America, and is known for its impressive inflight product. Qatar was named one of APEX's "World Class" airlines and was also given the Passengers Choice Awards for best seat comfort and best food and beverage.
Saudia
Founded in 1945, Saudia is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and operates a network spanning five continents. The company was also named a "World Class" airline by APEX and praised for its meal service. Saudia is one of the few airlines in the world with in-flight chefs to personalize dishes for premium passengers.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines was founded in 1972 and is the flag carrier of Singapore. The company was the launch customer for the Airbus A380 and operates an extensive network across Asia, North America, Australia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Singapore is one of APEX's "World Class" airlines.
Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss was established in 2002 after the bankruptcy of Swissair and is now the the national airline of Switzerland. The company has its main hub in Zurich but also has a focus on Geneva, and it operates flights within Europe and to Asia, North America, and Africa.
Turkish Airlines
Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines is the national carrier of Turkey and one of APEX's "World Class" airlines. The company is based in Istanbul and offers more than 250 routes to destinations in Europe, Africa, North America, South America, and Asia.
United Airlines
United Airlines is a US-based carrier headquartered in Chicago and was formed in 1926. The company operates a large fleet serving cities in Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, Europe and Africa. United was the first carrier to operate a passenger jet using 100% sustainable aviation fuel and has been an industry leader in environmental efforts.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin was established in 1984 by the billionaire Richard Branson and is based in London. The company flies to destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia and is partially owned by Delta Air Lines, which currently holds a 49% stake.
Xiamen Airlines
Founded in 1984, Xiamen is a privately owned Chinese carrier that operates flights across China, Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia with a fleet of more than 200 planes. The company is the only operator in China to be profitable for 33 consecutive years, according to the carrier.