The best and worst airlines for long-haul flights revealed

A new ranking reveals the 19 best and worst airlines for long-haul flights, and it’s not good news for travelers booking long-haul flights American Airlines or united.

The two operators ranked at the bottom, ranked 19th and 18th respectively, with competitors Delta Air Lines Ranked ninth. singapore airlines Ranked first, Qatar Airways is second and Cathay Pacific is third.

The index, compiled by travel insurer Moneysupermarket, analyzed ratings from airline benchmarking firm Skytrax and reviews platform AirlineQuality; consumer sentiment scores from Tripadvisor and Trustpilot; and punctuality and reliability indicators from UK consumer advocacy group Which?

Each airline is rated in five of 10 categories: timeliness, reliability, value, Trustpilot rating, Tripadvisor rating, Skytrax rating, seats, entertainment, staff service and food and beverages.

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Singapore Airlines (Skytrax) ranked second in the world after Qatar Airways, ranking first with a score of 39.95 points, American Airlines (American) scored 25.7 points, and United Airlines (United) scored 25.92 points.

Both airlines scored 4 out of 5 for punctuality and 3 out of 5 for value, but disappointed in seat quality (1.5 out of 5) and entertainment, staff service and catering, which scored only 2 out of 5.

Delta scored only a 2 out of 3 for seat quality but a 5 out of 3 for entertainment, service and dining, which combined with a Tripadvisor score of 4 out of 5, brought its total score to 30.42.

Next year’s rankings could look very different, though, as both American and United are undergoing major fleet upgrades.

As we reportedUnited Airlines is giving its newly ordered Dreamliners a top-to-bottom cabin makeover, including striking new Polaris Studio Business Class seats, which are oversized versions of United’s regular Polaris Business Class suites.

Seats in the premium economy cabin and the rear of the plane are also being upgraded. The former will have seats with a 16-inch 4K screen and charging pad, while the latter will have a 13-inch screen, up from 11 inches.

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United expects at least 30 Dreamliners with “elevated” interiors to join its fleet by 2027.

Additionally, United has been rapidly installing high-speed Starlink Its regional aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi, and long-haul passengers will soon benefit as well.

Meanwhile, American Airlines has been gradually rolling out its new product Dreamliner Business Class Flagship Suitefeaturing privacy doors, a new premium economy cabin and a refreshed economy cabin.

U.S. travelers have also been testing the Flagship Suite First Choice, an extra-large version of the regular lie-flat Flagship Suite that offers 19 percent more bed space and 42 percent more “living area” than the rear business class seats.

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They also feature a dark finish, black marbling, brushed aluminum and dark brown interior, earning them the nickname “Darth Vader” seats.

These improvements could push American and United into the top 10 next year.

Alicia Hempsted, travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Flying is expensive and prone to disruption, which is why it’s so important to research airlines in advance. While cheaper flights may seem attractive, they may come at the expense of comfort and the overall experience. For passengers with specific needs, such as a medical condition that requires seat space or comfort, these factors should not be overlooked.

“Long-haul flights can take more than 12 hours, and even budget flights can cost thousands of dollars. So investing the time in choosing the right airline can make a huge difference to your journey.”

The best and worst airlines for long-haul flights