The World's Best Airlines

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20. Bangkok Airways

20. Bangkok Airways

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

The regional airline operates scheduled services to destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Maldives, Burma, India and Singapore.

Bangkok Airways also topped Skytrax's list of the world's best regional airlines.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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19. Hainan Airlines

19. Hainan Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

China's Hainan Airlines recently announced plans to purchase around $5 billion worth of new planes from Boeing.

The airline also ranked 10th for best cabin crew on Skytrax's annual list.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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18. Malaysia Airlines

18. Malaysia Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: 5

Though Malaysia Airlines' image has taken a pounding after the tragic disappearance of flight 370, the carrier's decades' worth of sterling service should not be discounted. Because of the incident, and mounting financial losses, the world's most talked-about airline is now in the midst of a management shakeup and fleet-renewal process.

In spite of the upheaval, the carrier maintains its seat as one of the best airlines in the world.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

17. British Airways

17. British Airways

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

British Airlines is the flag carrier airline of the UK. It also received high scores from Skytrax for its first- and business class lounges.

The airline recently made headlines for testing a "happiness blanket" that would help passengers relax on flights (pictured).

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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16. Air New Zealand

16. Air New Zealand

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

The national carrier of New Zealand, Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance.

The company recently made headlines for ordering the first 787-9 "stretch" Dreamliner from Boeing.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

15. Virgin Australia

15. Virgin Australia

Business Insider Ranking:: 18

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 bathed in interior mood lighting and features a state-of-the-art 9-inch touchscreen entertainment system.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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14. Thai Airways

14. Thai Airways

Business Insider Ranking: 11 (tie)

Thai Airways has long been an industry leader for quality service. Though its most heralded products are its business and first-class services, its economy seats are high-quality as well.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

13. Swiss International Air Lines

13. Swiss International Air Lines

Business Insider Ranking: 19

A member of the Lufthansa corporate family, Swiss International Air Lines emerged in 2002 from the remnants of the now-defunct Swissair. The Basel-based airline employs a relatively young fleet of Airbus A330-300 and A340-300 wide-body jets for long-haul routes.

The airline posted a high on-time rating on Business Insider's list of the world's best airlines.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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12. EVA Air

12. EVA Air

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

EVA Air is Taiwan's second-largest airline, and also received high marks from Skytrax for the quality of its cabin crew.

It was one of the first airlines to introduce a premium economy class.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

11. Qantas Airways

11. Qantas Airways

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

In addition to its overall ranking, Australia's Qantas scored high marks for its airport lounges.

Qantas's international first class suites feature a 6.5-foot-long lie-flat bed with a plush sheepskin mattresses. Passengers are also treated to the airline's Sommeliers in the Sky service to help them make selections from Qantas's award-winning wine list.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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10. Lufthansa

10. Lufthansa

Business Insider Ranking: 8

Europe's largest airline has undergone significant budget cuts in recent years, but its service and overall quality is still exceptional.

For the most part, Lufthansa's long-haul service is very good, but for the best experience, it would be wise to aim for the fleet's newer A380 superjumbos and 748-8 Intercontinentals.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

9. Etihad Airways

9. Etihad Airways

Business Insider Ranking: 15 (tie)

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, with its Airbus and Boeing fleet traveling to about 96 destinations.

Some of its special features include noise-reduction headphones and mood lighting in the cabin that's adjusted to keep passengers well-rested.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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8. Asiana Airlines

8. Asiana Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: 4

One of two major South Korean airlines, Asiana has had to weather a wave of controversy after one of its Boeing 777s crashed upon landing in San Francisco last year.

Though the official cause of the accident is under investigation, emergency services have heaped incredible praise on Asiana's heroic cabin crew whose brave and efficient performance saved the lives of countless passengers.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

7. Garuda Indonesia

7. Garuda Indonesia

Business Insider Ranking: 15 (tie)

After being deemed unsafe to fly into the European Union from 2007 to 2009, 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 March, Garuda became a full-fledged member of the Skyteam global airline alliance.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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6. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

6. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Business Insider Ranking: 2

All Nippon Airways is the largest international carrier in Japan and home to the world's largest fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. ANA's cabin crew scored 8th on Skytrax's 2014 list.

Many of its planes feature slide-forward-style reclining seats that increase overall privacy, as well as power and USB outlets even in economy.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

5. Turkish Airlines

5. Turkish Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: 15 (tie)

Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey with a hub in the increasingly popular travel destination Istanbul. The airline breaks records with its available destinations, flying to over 100 countries and over 200 cities worldwide.

The airline is extremely fast-growing, is a member of Star Alliance, and has won Skytrax's award for Best Airline in Europe for three consecutive years.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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4. Emirates

4. Emirates

Business Insider Ranking: 6

Over the past 10 years, Dubai's Emirates has developed into one of the world's premier long-haul carriers. Operating almost exclusively through its 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 on some "ice" entertainment system-equipped 777 aircraft. It once again topped Skytrax's list of the airlines with the best in-flight entertainment.

The airline now flies to over 140 destinations on six continents including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and Washington, D.C.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

3. Singapore Airlines

3. Singapore Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: 1

The airline also ranked in Skytrax's top 10 cabin crew and in-flight entertainment.

Singapore Airlines is known for its customer service" Personal TVs with plenty of entertainment options and hot towels served before take-off are just some of the economy perks.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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2. Qatar Airways

2. Qatar Airways

Business Insider Ranking: 3

Qatar Airways earned high scores for both cabin crew and in-flight entertainment. 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.

The airline recently moved to the brand new and much larger Hamad International Airport in Doha.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

1. Cathay Pacific

1. Cathay Pacific

Business Insider Ranking: 16

Cathay Pacific also received high marks from Skytrax for in-flight entertainment and cabin crew.

On Business Insider's list, it received a relatively low on-time score due to congestion and erratic weather at its Hong Kong base.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

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