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Assessment -

AirlineRatings.com has published its list of top airlines for 2025. The list of 25 carriers isn't evaluated by popularity, but rather a careful assessment of each airline's quality, value, and safety. Recently, the assessment has also taken into account the companies' positive impact on the industry. 

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Full-service vs low-cost carriers -

The first thing that may catch your eye when booking your flight is the ticket price. Low-cost carriers are often quite competitive in comparison to their full-service counterparts. Yet, the difference in travel conditions is also stark between the two. 

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Low-cost airlines -

While a low-cost airline may offer lower ticket prices, any additional services such as baggage, a printed boarding pass, and drinks or snacks, among other options, are not included in the ticket price. 

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Full-service carriers -

In contrast, full-service airlines often include a series of benefits in the standard, economy ticket price. This often includes services like baggage, meals, entertainment, and seat selection, among other benefits. In this gallery, we'll explore the top 25 full-service airlines.

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25. Garuda Indonesia -

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24. Air Mauritius -

In 24th place, we have Air Mauritius. Mauritius is known as the perfect island getaway with its crystal blue waters, and the nation's airlines offer an incredible travel experience, as well. 

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23. Air Calin - Air Calin is New Caledonia's flag carrier airline. With a humble fleet size of four planes and traveling to only 11 destinations, Air Calin's place on the top 25 list is impressive. 

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22. KLM -

Did you know that KLM is the oldest operating airline in the world? Coming in at number 22, the Dutch airline carries nearly 30 million passengers a year on its aircraft. 

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21. Air France -

Founded in 1933, Air France certainly carries a reputation for innovation in the aviation industry. It was one of the first airlines to offer transatlantic services. Air France and KLM merged in 2004, so their proximity in the top 25 makes their similarities even clearer. 

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20. SriLankan Airlines -

SriLankan Airlines lands at the 20th place on the list of best full-service carriers. Formerly known as Air Lankan, the airline flies to over one thousand destinations in 160 countries. 

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19. Vietnam Airlines - Vietnam Airlines comes in at number 19. As the seventh most visited nation in the Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam's national airline flies to 21 domestic destinations and 29 international airports.

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18. Starlux -

Starlux is Taiwan's full-service carrier. The young airline, founded in 2018, took its first flight in 2020 from Taipei to Macau. 

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17. Thai Airways -

Thailand offers so many beautiful destinations to enjoy (pictured are Chinese Lunar Year celebrations in Bangkok). With Thai Airways achieving number 17 on the list, navigating flights to 35 countries, it's never been easier to catch a ride. 

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16. Air Caraibes - Air Caraibes is a French-owned airline company based in the French West Indies. The airline flies throughout the Caribbean and to France.

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15. Aeroméxico -

Aeroméxico is Mexico's flag carrier airline, servicing over 90 destinations throughout the region and beyond. The airline is one of the founding members of the SkyTeam airline alliance.

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14. All Nippon Airways (ANA) -

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is a Japanese airline seeking greater sustainability in the airline industry. It is one of the 10 airlines to have received a five-star rating from Skytrax. 

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13. Virgin Atlantic - Known for its unique approach to customer service, Virgin Atlantic is a British airline now owned by Alaska Airlines.

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12. Fiji Airways - Fiji Airways, formerly known as Air Pacific, flies to 27 destinations. The airline was founded by Harold Getty, an Australian aviator, who set the world record for a flight around the world in 1931.

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11. EVA Air - EVA Air is an entirely privately owned Taiwanese airline, flying to over 40 destinations. Its sister company, Evergreen Marine Corporation, is known for its container operation.

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10. Turkish Airlines - Turkish Airlines services a whopping 352 destinations around the world. Turkish Airline's incredible evolution turned Istanbul into a major international hub. Istanbul Airport (pictured) is the second busiest in Europe and the Middle East.

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9. Etihad - Etihad is one of the United Arab Emirates' leading airlines, managing over 1,000 flights per week. Did you know that Etihad also offers in-air nanny services for parents taking their children on long-haul flights?

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8. Qantas -

Australia's flag carrier, Qantas, originated from the acronym for “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services.” It's the country's largest airline and the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents. 

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7. Japan Airlines - Japan Airlines gains the 7th place. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the nation's national airline hosts flights to over 220 destinations in 35 countries.

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6. Emirates -

Emirates is the United Arab Emirates' leading airline. Founded in 1985 with just two airplanes, their fleet and operations are now some of the largest in the world, operating over 3,600 flights per week.

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5. Singapore Airlines -

As the flag carrier of Singapore, Singapore Airlines has been ranked as Skytrax's world's best airline five times. Their cabin crew has also received awards for their extraordinary services. 

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4. Cathay Pacific - Cathay Pacific is one of the world's leading airlines. As the flag carrier of Hong Kong, it's one of the founding members of Oneworld and has been consistently ranked as a five-star airline.

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3. Air New Zealand - Air New Zealand, a member of Star Alliance, flies to 20 domestic locations, 28 international destinations throughout 18 countries. Despite its limited destination list, the airline has an extraordinary reputation.

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2. Qatar - Qatar Airways won the 'World's Best Airline' for the eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards. Its hub, Doha, was also voted the world's best airport. The airline was the first ever to fly the Airbus A350-900 (pictured).

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1. Korean Air -

Drumroll, please! The number one spot goes to Korean Air. The airline, founded in 1969, is the largest airline in South Korea. The five-star airline operates in more than 50 countries.

Sources: (CNN) (Airline Ratings) (OhMyFacts)

See also: Visiting South Korea, the Land of Morning Calm

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