The 2025 Global Best Airlines Ranking has been released, and in this latest ranking, none of the American airlines made it into the top 20.
The globally authoritative airline and airport service evaluation agency, SKYTRAX, recently announced the 2025 World Airline Awards in Paris, France. Qatar Airways topped this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards, a recognition often dubbed as the Oscars of the aviation industry.
In this industry’s authoritative global annual ranking of the best airlines, no American airlines were selected.
Since the establishment of the award in 1999, Qatar Airways has won the crown for the ninth time.
Singapore Airlines ranked second, making it the fifth time the company has been listed.
This year’s ranking is based on a global passenger satisfaction survey conducted from September 2024 to May 2025. According to SKYTRAX, headquartered in the UK, passengers surveyed came from over 100 countries, involving more than 325 airlines.
Despite American airlines leading in revenue and fleet size, none of them made it into the top 20 on the Skytrax list. Delta Air Lines ranked highest among American carriers at 22nd globally. United Airlines ranked 51st globally, while JetBlue Airways ranked 52nd.
However, American airlines showed outstanding performance in a separate category, which is the best in-flight entertainment services. Delta Air Lines ranked 6th, United Airlines ranked 10th, American Airlines ranked 15th, and JetBlue Airways ranked 20th.
Air Canada received the honor of being named the best airline in North America in this year’s Skytrax ranking.
The survey required passengers to rate various services, including check-in procedures, customer service, onboard facilities (such as seat comfort, meals, entertainment options, and even restroom cleanliness).
Below are the top 20 best airlines globally selected by Skytrax for 2025:
1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Emirates Airlines
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Turkish Airlines
7. Korean Air
8. Air France
9. Japan Airlines
10. Hainan Airlines
11. Swiss International Air Lines
12. EVA Air
13. British Airways
14. Qantas Airways
15. Lufthansa Group Airlines
16. Virgin Atlantic
17. Saudi Arabian Airlines
18. STARLUX Airlines
19. Air Canada
20. Iberia
(This article referenced a report from The Hill)