Korean Air : This is of the utmost importance, according to the results of an annual survey of the best airlines worldwide by AirlineRatings.com
Korean Air has been named Airline of the Year for 2025 in the Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency’s official list of the top 25 full-service airlines, beating last year’s winner Qatar Airways.
The South Korean flag carrier’s commitment to “passenger comfort” was cited as one of the main reasons for its success – both Korean Air and Japan Airlines offer the most spacious economy class seats of any global airline.
“While many airlines have added a 10th seat to each row on 777 aircraft and reduced the seat pitch in economy from 31 to 32 inches (previously it was 32 to 33 inches), Korean Air has decided not to follow this trend,” Sharon Peterson, CEO of AirlineRatings.com, said in a statement.
The airline’s recent merger with Asiana Airlines – the largest integration in Asian aviation history was also seen as a key factor in its rise to the top spot.Air New Zealand was third on the “carefully selected” list, while Cathay Pacific came in fourth on the “carefully selected” list.
Peterson pointed out that the awards are not a popularity contest or a people’s choice award. “As airline experts, we carefully evaluate each category to help travelers identify the best airlines for quality, value and safety.”
Meanwhile, AirAsia topped AirlineRatings.com’s list of the Best 20 Low-Cost Airlines for 2025, beating Jetstar and airBaltic, which came in second and third respectively. AirlineRatings.com’s
Top 25 Full Service Airlines for 2025 Korean Air
- Korean Air
- Qatar
- Air New Zealand
- China Pacific
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Qantas
- Etihad
- Turkish Airlines
- EVA Air
- Fiji Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Ana
- Aero Mexico
- Air Caraibe
- Thai Airways
- Starlux
- Vietnam Airlines
- Sri Lankan Airlines
- Air France
KLM (note that the airline is testing hybrid models on some routes)
- Air CalinAir
- Mauritius Garuda
- Indonesia
AirlineRatings.com’s Top 20 Low Cost Airlines for 2025
- AirAsia
- Jetstar
- AirBaltic
- HK Express
- Easyjet
- Flydubai
- Ryanair
- Scoot
- Air
- Southwest
- Sky Airline
- Flynas
- Tui
- Norwegian
- IndyGo
- Air Arabia
- Volaris
- Jet2
- Wizz
- Vueling
AirlineRatings.com’s Top 20 Hybrid Airlines for 2025
- JetBlue
- WestJet
- Virgin Australia
- Delta Airlines
- United
- American Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Air Canada
LOT Polish Airlines (this is subject to change and may be full service soon)
- TAP Portugal
- Alaska Air
- Swiss
- Avianca
- Iberia
- British Airways
- Finnair
- Austrian Airlines
- Hawaii
- ITA
- SAS
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