20. Bangkok Airways
Previous rank: 23
Why it's awesome: Unless you've flown through southeast Asia, it's unlikely you've heard of Bangkok Airways. However, the boutique Thai airline is beloved by those who travel onboard its fleet of Airbus and ATR aircraft.
This year, not only does Bangkok Airways crack the top 20, it was awarded with the titles of World's Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline in Asia.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
19. Austrian Airlines
Previous rank: 13
Why it's awesome: Though the Lufthansa-owned airline has had to work its way through a series of labor disputes in recent years, its high level of service has remained intact — taking home the prize for Best Airline Staff Service in Europe. The Austrian flag carrier boasts a fleet of newly renovated long-haul Boeing 767-300ER and 777-200 jets flying out of its Vienna base.
Economy fliers gave the Star Alliance member high marks for its efficient and effective service, as well as the wealth of onboard dining and entertainment options.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
18. Virgin Australia
Previous rank: 16
Why it's awesome: As the biggest airline in billionaire Richard Branson's portfolio of Virgin brands, Virgin Australia has experienced massive growth in the Asia-Pacific market since its founding in 2000.
In typical Virgin fashion, the airline's fleet of long-haul Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 jets come with interior mood lighting and feature a state-of-the-art 9-inch touchscreen entertainment system.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
17. Air New Zealand
Previous rank: 17
Why it's awesome: Air New Zealand continues its domination of the premium economy category at the World Airline Awards. The Kiwi airline nearly swept the awards for premium economy — winning for World's Best Premium Economy Class and World's Best Premium Economy Seat.
This the fifth time that Air New Zealand has won for Best Premium Economy.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
16. Asiana
Previous rank: 11
Why it's awesome: Once again, South Korea's Asiana takes the top prize for Best Economy Class and Best Economy Class Catering. Skytrax reviewers gave the Seoul-based airline high marks for its staff service. Asiana currently operates a fleet of relatively new Airbus and Boeing jets.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
15. Swiss International Air Lines
Previous rank: 14
Why it's awesome: Swiss International Air Lines emerged in 2002 from the remnants of the now-defunct Swissair and is now a member of the Lufthansa corporate family. The Basel-based airline employs a relatively young fleet of Airbus A330-300 and A340-300 wide-body jets for long-haul routes.
Though some fliers found economy-seat comfort to be lacking, most praised the cabin crew for its friendly service and the airline for its wide assortment of complimentary adult beverages.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
14. Air France
Previous rank: 15
Why it's awesome: Air France's resurgence continues with a move up to the 14th position one year after making a 10-place improvement and earning the honor of being named the World's Most Improved Airline. Although the carrier has suffered through a series of labor and financial issues, the company has rolled out an impressive lineup of new product offerings. This includes the highly-impressive new "La Premiere" first class suites.
This year, Air France also won the awards for Best First Class Airline Lounge Dining and Best First Class Comfort Amenities.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
13. Thai Airways
Previous rank: 19
Why it's awesome: Thai Airways has long been an industry leader for quality service. So it's no surprise to find the Thai national carrier so high up on the list. Though its most heralded products are its business and first-class services, fliers found their economy seats to be of high quality as well.
Economy fliers on Skytrax also noted the crew's friendly demeanor and delectable dining options.
Moving up six spots to number 13, Thai Airways took home the award for World's Most Improved Airline as well as the title for World's Best Airline Spa Facilities.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
12. Hainan Airlines
Previous rank: 22
Why it's awesome: Founded in 1993, Hainan is the only Chinese airline to hold the coveted Skytrax five-star rating. With a brand-new fleet of more than 160 Boeing and Airbus jets, Hainan is expanding rapidly throughout Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Reviewers on Skytrax praised the airline for its attentive service and quality business class accommodations.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
11. Garuda Indonesia
Previous rank: 8
Why it's awesome: Garuda Indonesia has experienced a dramatic turnaround in recent years. The Indonesia flag carrier has undertaken extensive fleet renewal and service-improvement measures to regain the trust of both fliers and safety regulators.
Economy fliers have raved about the airline's comfortable seats and selection of southeast Asian cuisine.
This year, Garuda's flight attendants took home the award for the World's Best Cabin Crew.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
10. Lufthansa
Previous rank: 12
Why it's awesome: Europe's largest airline has undergone significant budget cuts and labor issues in recent years, but its service and overall quality is still exceptional. In fact, Lufthansa comes close to the top of the list by receiving solid, if not spectacular, scores across the board.
For the most part, Lufthansa's long-haul service is very good, but, for the best results, it would be wise to aim for the fleet's newer A380 superjumbos and 748-8 Intercontinentals.
In addition to a top 1o finish, the German national airline also took home the prize for Best Transatlantic Airline and Best Airline in Western Europe.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
9. Qantas
Previous rank: 10
Why it's awesome: Despite suffering a series of severe financial setbacks in recent years, the quality of Qantas' service has remained solid. The airline received praise for its strong customer service and in-flight entertainment. And then there's Qantas' calling card — it has a fatality-free safety record in the jet era.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
8. EVA Air
Previous rank: 9
Why it's awesome: Taiwan's EVA Air (pronounced /ee-vee-ay/) was founded in 1989 and is an offshoot of global container-shipping giant Evergreen Group. The Taipei-based carrier has grown immensely in the past two decades and now operates a large fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body jets. The airline is credited with pioneering the "premium economy" cabin.
EVA also took home the prize for the World's Best Transpacific Airline.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
7. Turkish Airlines
Previous rank: 4
Why it's awesome: Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey and has its main hub at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. The airline, with its ability to fly to over 100 countries and over 200 cities worldwide, hopes to turn its home base into a global transit hub.
The airline is a member of Star Alliance, and has won the Skytrax award for Best Airline in Europe six years in a row.
In addition, Turkish Airlines also won awards for Best Airline in Southern Europe, Best Business Class Airline Catering, and Best Business Class Lounge Dining.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
6. Etihad Airways
Previous rank: 6
Why it's awesome: Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, with its Airbus and Boeing fleet traveling to about 100 destinations. The airline has become famous for its trademark Residence flying apartments as well as its plush first class and business class suites.
For 2016, Etihad also won for World's Best First Class, Best First Class Seat, Best First Class Onboard Catering.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
5. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Previous rank: 7
Why it's awesome: All Nippon Airways is the largest international carrier in Japan and home to one of the world's largest fleets of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. ANA drew high praise from Skytrax reviewers across the board, scoring near-perfect scores for cleanliness, service, and safety. Many of its planes feature slide-forward-style reclining seats that increase overall privacy, as well as power and USB outlets even in economy.
ANA also won for World's Best Airport Services and Best Airline Staff Service in Asia.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
Previous rank: 3
Why it's awesome: Although Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific fell back one spot from last year, the airline still managed to retain its place as the highest-ranked carrier from the Pacific Rim. With a fleet of long-range Boeing 777-300ER jets and a business strategy centered on offering a high frequency of flights, Cathay is one of the finest flying experiences in Asia.
Skytrax reviewers gave the airline high marks for seat comfort, service quality, and in-flight entertainment.
Cathay Pacific also won the awards for World's Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness and Best First Class Airline Lounge.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
3. Singapore Airlines
Previous rank: 2
Why it's awesome: Singapore's standout service makes for a famously pleasant journey during which flight attendants are trained to treat customers with extreme care and respect. Personal TVs with plenty of entertainment options and hot towels served before take-off are just some of the economy perks.
The airline's home base at Changi International Airport is one of the finest facilities in the world and has been named by Skytrax as the Best Airport in the World four years in a row.
The airline also took home the awards for Best Airline in Asia and Best Business Class Airline Seat.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
2. Qatar Airways
Previous rank: 1
Why it's awesome: Qatar falls back one place after capturing the coveted top spot last year.
The Doha-based airline received praise from reviewers for its seat comfort and in-flight entertainment. In fact, the airline also took home the prize for Best Business Class Seats. Economy class guests get to enjoy features like smartphone and tablet connectivity to their personal screens. The airline links over 125 destinations across the globe and is expanding its services from Qatar to 50 new destinations, including direct flights to Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas.
In addition to a second-place finish, Qatar also took home the award for World's Best Business Class and Best Business Class Airline Lounge.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
1. Emirates
Previous rank: 5
Why it's awesome: Over the past 30 years, Dubai's Emirates has developed into one of the world's premier long-haul carriers. Operating almost exclusively through its palatial hub at Dubai International Airport, the carrier boasts the world's largest fleet of Airbus A380 super jumbos and Boeing 777 wide-body jets.
Emirates' state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system includes a wide selection of video and music options on demand, and even allows for live television and sporting events on its "ice" entertainment system-equipped aircraft. In fact, Emirates has taken home Skytrax's award for Best In-Flight Entertainment 12 years running.
See additional airline information at Skytrax
