List of the world’s best airlines for 2021

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – It has been a strange year for the aviation industry, with many airlines holding planes for long periods of time in 2020.

But with the return of air travel to some areas, Airline Ratings has released its annual report on the world’s best airlines, ready to help travelers decide which airline to take to the skies.

The Australian Aviation Safety and Product Classification Agency ranks airline excellence awards based on criteria such as fleet life, passenger reviews and product offerings.

And this year, the global team of writers also included airlines’ response to COVID-19 in those criteria.

And so for 2021 there is a new entry at number one, as Qatar Airways has climbed the rankings to take the lead, beating previous winner Air New Zealand, which has topped the list six times in recent years, and came in second this year.

Airline Ratings editor Jeffrey Thomas told CNN that it was Qatar Airways’ response to the pandemic that settled the matter.

“Qatar Airways has always been at the top of our rankings, winning many awards such as Best Business Class, but it was its commitment to keeping its network widely open that garnered praise from the jury – and the voices,” said Thomas.

Thomas also noted the airline’s repatriation flights and its commitment to making the flying experience during a pandemic situation as safe as possible.

pandemic effect

Usually, Airline Ratings publishes the best airlines in November of each year, in anticipation of the coming year. But the pandemic has forced the Aviation Safety and Product Classification Agency to change things.

Thomas explained, “We postponed the announcement from 2021 to be 2021 due to the chaos of (Covid-19), and we wanted to see how the airline industry would cope with the pandemic on a more long time before making choices. “

Profitability is usually one of the main factors evaluated by the jury to rank the best airlines, but due to the severe financial impact of “Covid-19” on the airline industry, finances have not been taken into account this year.

“We had to give it up this year because almost all airlines are losing money,” Thomas said.

In the top five this year, Singapore Airlines joined Qatar Airways and Air New Zealand, to take third place.

Qantas Airways ranked fourth on the list of airline ratings. The Australian airline was separately ranked as the world’s safest airline by “Airline Ratings” earlier this year.

Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, placed fifth on the list.

In addition to the top 20 rankings, Airline Ratings also awarded additional awards for airline offerings including Best First Class Cabin (Singapore Airlines), Best Cabin Crew (Virgin Australia) and Best Airport Lounges. (Qantas Airways).

Meanwhile, low-cost carrier EasyJet won the award for Best Low-Cost Airline for Europe, while Jetstar Airways won the award for Asia / Pacific and Southwest Americas.

List of the best airlines in the world by Airline Ratings for 2021:

1. Qatar Airways
2. Air New Zealand
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Qantas Airways
5. Fly Emirates
6. Cathay Pacific Airlines
7. Virgin Atlantic Airlines
8. United Airlines
9. EVA Aviation
10. British Airways
11. German airline Lufthansa
12. All Japanese Airlines
13. Where are you
14. Japan Airlines
15. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
16. Hawaiian Airlines
17. Alaska Airlines
18. Virgin Australia Airlines
19. Delta Airlines
20. Etihad Airways