Hello,

does anyone know a ranking of the best airlines in the world?

I have read the ranking in "Business Traveler" on my last trip to DFW in BA First, but I don't know how serious the ranking is.

What are your oppions / impressions?

Thanks.

- Robert

Who have they ranked and where!?

Give it a try with Skytrax. ^

You need to be more specific. There is no such thing as the 'best' airline. There IS such a thing as best first class, best business class, best economy class, best lounge, best baggage handling, best food and best drink, but you'd probably find a different airline won all of these categories.

Even then, very few global airlines have standardised products - Singapore Airlines or Emirates First Class on an A380 is probably the best F, for example, but you probably wouldn't say that if you flew these airlines on a different plane. On LH, 747 F is 2x2 seating which is terrible if you are flying alone, whereas the A340's have solo seats like BA which are very nice.

You can even differentiate between paid and award tickets - Singapore, for example, doesn't allow reward ticket holders into its best lounges at Changi. Similarly, Lufthansa is about to ban people from the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt unless they are starting their trip in Frankfurt - this makes a LHR-FRA-XXX less attractive and would change your view about the wonders of LH F.

I will check at home for the article and the Business Traveler edition number and will deliver you this in the evening.

It was a Award and there was voted, the best long haul airline, best business class, etc.

- Robert

Yes, I agree that Skytrax is the best source of info. Bear in mind a lot of it is personal opinion though.

Bear in mind that the results will depend on where the edition is published.

In general readers of both trade and consumer mags tend to favour their national airline. But there are exceptions in the case of the US.

By the way you spell "Traveler" I guess you are referring to the magazine's US edition whose readers voted for the following "best" airlines and products:

http://www.btusonline.com/article.php?id=246

Having recently flown the new A380 SQ product, I personally think it is more hype than reality. In particular, I hate having to get out of the seat and have the crew help me to change the seat into a bed. As a seat, I still prefer the old SQ F.

Incorrect.

SQ allows award ticket holders to enter the lounge according to class paid.

For example:

*G and KF*G members are allowed access to the SATS lounge in T2 or the KF*G lounge in T3.

Business class (paid and reward) passengers are allowed in the Raffles lounge in T2 & T3.

First class (paid and award) of both SQ as well as other *A members can access the First Class lounge in both T2 & T3.

Only passengers flying the SQ "suites" are allowed to access the Private lounge.

In the case of LH, First class passengers connecting in FRA are of course able to use the new LH FCL which has just opened (in pier B) which is just as good as the FCT but does not have the car which takes you to the plane. As always, more info on this is available on the M&M forum.

Incorrect. TPR access is for paid F and R.

Award tickets booked in F (or by some miracle in R) allow access only to the First Class Silver Kris Lounge.

BC

Unfortunately it seems that that's what most people on here rave about. From what I have read, the actual on board experience does not seem to be as good as BAs.

Food and drink is SUBSTANTIALLY better than BA (albeit I haven't done LH F for 18 months or so) - caviar was still available, for instance, and the appetisers and deserts are on a trolley so you can have as much as you like, mix and match and then have more later if any is left! Only downer for me was the 2x2 747 seating but not an issue on an Airbus.

Yes - Full F is also allowed.

As I clearly stated in my post.

I've not flown their long haul business class, but SQ always pops up in conversation as "the best airline". Just generally, and not necessarily with frequent flyer addicts/business travelers. I do remember the food in economy being excellent.

It certainly still is on the top of everyone's minds thanks to great marketing.

Personally I think SQ has dropped a few notches over the past few years and is resting on their laurels. I've had better service recently on both CX & QF. Still a great airline however.

What you say is interesting in light of the fact that Business Traveler USA readers voted EK as their best carrier over perennial winner SQ in their latest airline awards.