Top 10 International Economy Airlines
Published on October 18, 2007 - 24 Comments
Flying internationally can be a literal pain in the a** and it is something that I have to do quite often; so I have decided to make a list of the top 10 airlines to fly if you are flying economy. This list does not apply to US domestic air travel. The selections for this list are based upon seat quality, quality of extras (for example, personal TV), and service quality (staff and food). The heaviest bias in deciding positions is towards comfort, with service as a secondary. The data used in this chart is from SeatGuru. I have used only the top rating jets of each airline.
10. American Airlines
When I started compiling this list, I was not expecting American Airlines to do very well, but I was surprised to find it had excellent extras, such as standard DC power at many seats. If they had power at all seats they would have scored higher. They also have personal televisions on every jet. The service was a little low, but it was bearable and their large seats make up for a drop in quality there.
9. British Airways
Both British Airways and Qantas scored low for having the smallest seats in the list. My own experience of both of these airlines, is that while service is generally good, and food is very good (on Qantas), the seats are very uncomfortable. I was also disappointed to note that BA does not have power at any seats.
8. Malaysia
The Malaysia air service is very good, and their seats are in the top on the list for size. While they lack electricity at the seats, they have personal televisions for all economy travelers. Friendly staff also helps their ranking here.
7. Qantas Airways
Aside from the unfortunate seats, Qantas has a good reputation and very friendly service. The food is good and everyone has their own television. Unfortunately there is also no power at the seats on this airline.
6. Virgin Atlantic
My experience of Virgin Atlantic was extremely good. The British staff were much more pleasant and friendly than the BA staff and you could tell that they have a real eye for detail in the interior and extras. Unfortunately there were some major breakdowns of the televisions when I was on my last Virgin flight and nothing was able to be done for the duration. The seats could definitely be bigger, but all in all the service on Virgin is great. Free alcohol all the way.
5. Air France
This is another surprise airline. Almost every review I found on this airline was very good or excellent - the exceptions were generally relating to delays which are not always under the control of the airline itself. The seat sizes here also rank in the top, and the food (being French) is excellent and on long haul flights a buffet is available at all hours.
4. Cathay
Cathay Pacific have big seats, very friendly staff, personal TVs for all, and power at all seats. Cathay is now using a special type of reclining chair based on an office chair design, that allows you to recline without intruding on the passengers behind you - which means you will not be intruded on either.
3. Singapore Airlines
This airline has always been at the front of new developments in air travel. While providing the most common features of the other airlines here, they now provide live television and access to OpenOffice software with USB access.
2. Air New Zealand
The only thing stopping Air New Zealand from being number one on this list is the fact that not all of their jets have personal televisions; aside from that, the service is top, and the food is excellent.
1. Emirates
Big seats, great service, and personal TVs for all. With Emirates you get AC power at the seats and access to StarOffice software and USB. Emirates also has a mini bar at the rear of economy which is available with snacks and drinks for the duration of the flight. You can also email and SMS from your seat. This airline deserves its rank as number 1.
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1. Juggz - October 18th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Qantas yah Qantas!
2. dalandzadgad - October 18th, 2007 at 6:51 am
yep..emirates is the best. they had enough entertainment/snacks to keep me comfortably
occupied for a 16 hr flight.
3. Juggz - October 18th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Come to think of it I’ve never actually been on a plane.
4. RobS - October 18th, 2007 at 7:01 am
OK, I think this airline was just continental US, back in the 80’s. I can’t even remember the name of the airline, but I think it was something like “Budget Air”, but was called ‘The Greyhound Bus of the Skies”, by everyone I knew.
They actually pushed a CASH REGISTER up the aisle prior to taking off!!!
That’s how you paid!
5. jfrater - October 18th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Juggz: hehe - at least you are rooting for one of the top 10
dalandzadgad: My friend flew Emirates from NZ to London and found them to be excellent. I am flying Emirates to NZ for Christmas.
RobS: that is awful and reminds me a lot of Ryan Air - the budget airline in Europe. The seats are made of hard plastic and you have to pay for your snacks!
6. Samsung - October 18th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I’ve done a long haul flight on both Emirates and Air NZ (NZ to Europe).
Seats seemed much bigger in air NZ (maybe I’ve just grown alot since I was 13)
I thought some of the emirates flight attendants (one woman in particular) were very rude, but the in seat entertainment was awesome compared to Air NZ.
The food was great on both flights but there was more of it on emirates.
Biggest issue with air NZ is that stopover was in LA; security is so tight we got locked up in a small departure lounge with horrible plastic seats for three hours. Dubai was much more interesting.
Basically what I’m trying to say is Jfrater got the top 2 in the right order. Yay! In Decmeber I’m flying to germany with singapore airlines
7. Rob - October 18th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Look up delta song, really good service and entertainment, includeing touch screens for all passangers, free music to listen to and many other accomidations such as games which you can play against other people on the plane.
Come to think of it, I dont know if its international but it did take me to Puerto Rico
8. Chadster - October 19th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Charles Branson (billionair who founded virgin) is offering 25 million dollars to anyone who can create a clean burning fuel. Also, He said by nexy year, his company will have developed an engine that burns cleaner than any other.
9. Lance - October 22nd, 2007 at 8:57 am
Yay! Malaysia made it to the list lol
10. Charles Starr - October 28th, 2007 at 9:09 am
These are good I agree, but you looked over two very nice ones. Scandanavian airlines have tvs and good service and food. Air India is also very good.
11. jfrater - October 28th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Charles Starr: I have not flown on either of those airlines - are the air hostesses pleasant? They can really ruin a journey if they are sour.
12. hayley - October 31st, 2007 at 4:07 am
I’ve flown with Emirates on an 18hr flight to the Philippines with the stop off at Dubai in the middle & thought it was top class! I have been flying with them for 9 times already and just turned 18! The air hostesses are great, the food is nice & the entertainment, well keeps me entertained! The stop off at Dubai is great as there are so many shops, great for when you have a long wait for the next flight. I also found it very reliable as well as it has never been late compared to Philippine Airlines (PAL) should be known a Plane Always Late!
13. jfrater - October 31st, 2007 at 4:19 am
hayley: thanks for mentioning that - I have a 30+ hour flight to New Zealand with them in December and I am really looking forward to it.
14. hayley - October 31st, 2007 at 4:34 am
no problem, have a great time!
15. Jan - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Hey Hayley, wher wer u from (coz were planning to fly London-Dubai-Manila Return)
And, wat site did u use 2 book???
16. el duderino - January 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 am
Virgin Atlantic was a pleasant surprise. Lufthansa was good as well, Mein Flugbegleiter war ein sehr schönes Mädchen mit schönen großen Brüsten und sehr, sehr freundlich.
Aer Lingus was a nightmare, a friggin nightmare.
17. Lufunmi - January 8th, 2008 at 8:06 am
I will really love to fly Air france soon
18. Clues - January 11th, 2008 at 3:32 am
El Dude Why was Aer Lingus so bad? I have a 10 hr flight booked with them next month from LA to Dublin. Now I am worried!
19. kfinn - January 28th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Love Cathay Pacific for going to the Philippines, it’s always been great. they can even make the grueling 13 hour flight from LA to Hong Kong comfortable.
I hear Singapore is really great too, I’m flying with them to the Philippines this summer. Hope it’s as great as it sounds. :]
20. Zash - February 20th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I don’t think Air France should make this list. The seats are VERY small and the staff was snooty. Late arrivals, bad planes. Lost 2 days in Paris thanks to them. The French people were nice, but AF staff are not the most polite. I was sent to London to catch a British Airways flight, which was alot better! AF personal TV’s are horrbile too with very few movie selection.
I’m flying Cathay Pacific, Singapore and Malaysian airlines next month for work. They seem to have the best ratings so far.
21. buckland - February 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
have been on lot of airlines over the years on long haul flights best one for me was singapore,brill with evrything,so friendly,good leg room.
2)thai and emarites,joint 2nd just as good as each other
3)eva,this was very good airline well worth the money and i think better than british airways
4)british airways,dont think they are as good as they say.but 1st class brill got this free because argument on board and due to being preg they moved me and husband to 1st class.
Also flown with Bangladesh airlines,lets just say 1st and last time.
22. Miich. - April 24th, 2008 at 6:14 am
I think this is a really great and helpful website, because of the list it tells me what has much more better quality..