The World’s Best Airlines for Customer Service

Courtesy of Singapore Airlines

Airlines are tasked with the great responsibility of safely transporting travelers across the globe, while also keeping them entertained and happy in the process. In addition to serving restaurant-quality food and creating atmospheric, suite-like cabins, the best airlines in the world have put great emphasis on their customer service.

Every year, the T+LWorld’s Best Awards survey asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences from across the world—to cast their votes for the top hotels, islands, cities, spas, and more. Readers ranked airlines on their cabin comfort, in-flight service, food, value, and customer service. Even on a flight with more than 400 passengers, the top 20 international and domestic airlines on this list have excelled by treating every individual like the only person onboard.

“Southwest has the right idea about a lot of things,” noted one T+L reader. “The website works, the boarding is logical and fast…and if you run into problems they are very accommodating.” This Dallas-based airline didn’t just score the No. 2 spot for domestic airlines by having helpful flight attendants: readers even raved about ground personnel’s sense of humor and upbeat disposition. Even the airline’s safety videos and landing speeches can be hilarious.

After all, travel can be stressful. And the airlines that excelled in this category did so by helping flyers enjoy even the most mundane aspects of air travel (think: checking luggage and waiting at the gate).

“The crew was so pleasant and helpful,” said a survey submission about Hawaiian Airlines. “That is something that makes a long flight easier!” Others commented on the distinctive, and warm “Aloha spirit” demonstrated by flight crews.

The next time you fly, consider making a reservation with one of the world’s best airlines for customer service. Even if they cost a little more than the other guys, we promise you’ll be well taken care of.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

No. 10 American Eagle, Domestic

Courtesy of American Eagle

2 of 20

No. 10 All Nippon Airways, International

winhorse/iStock/Getty Images

3 of 20

No. 9 American Airlines, Domestic

Courtesy of American Airlines

4 of 20

No. 9 Korean Air, International

Bloomberg/Getty Images

5 of 20

No. 8 AirTran Airways, Domestic

Doug Schneider/Alamy

6 of 20

No. 8 Cathay Pacific Airways, International

Bloomberg/Getty Images

7 of 20

No. 7 Delta Air Lines, Domestic

Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

8 of 20

No. 7 Qatar Airways, International

Bloomberg/Getty Images

9 of 20

No. 6 Sun Country Airlines, Domestic

Zoonar GmbH/Alamy

10 of 20

No. 6 Air New Zealand, International

Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

11 of 20

No. 5 Hawaiian Airlines, Domestic

Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

12 of 20

No. 5 Porter Airlines, International

David Cooper/Getty Images

13 of 20

No. 4 JetBlue Airways, Domestic

Courtesy of JetBlue

14 of 20

No. 4 Etihad Airways, International

Courtesy of Etihad Airways

15 of 20

No. 3 Alaska Airlines, Domestic

Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

16 of 20

No. 3 Virgin Atlantic Airways, International

Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

17 of 20

No. 2 Southwest Airlines, Domestic

Robert Alexander/Getty Images

18 of 20

No. 2 Emirates, International

Courtesy of Emirates

19 of 20

No. 1 Virgin America, Domestic

Courtesy of Virgin America

Many travelers were heartbroken when the popular (and decidedly hip) Virgin America airline was sold—and that’s in large part because they have so consistently impressed flyers with thoughtful customer service. “It truly seems that Virgin was designed by a team who actually cared about the customer experience [rather than] with only profit and bottom line in mind. I love Virgin,” declared one extremely satisfied reader. Fortunately, another customer-driven carrier, Alaska Airlines (the No. 3 domestic airline for customer service), was behind the $2.6 billion deal. Hopefully, travelers will simply see those same helpful and accommodating employees at more hubs across the country.

20 of 20

No. 1 Singapore Airlines, International

Courtesy of Singapore Airlines

“Every airline should take lessons from Singapore Airlines,” suggested one T+L reader, who hailed the airline for spacious cabins and “great, attentive service.” Singapore airlines continues to dominate the World’s Best awards in almost every category, thanks in large part to their famous Singapore Girls. These highly trained flight attendants are taught to be international diplomats, handling even the most unruly passengers with confidence and poise. Multiple survey respondents noted that even in Economy, travelers are treated like First Class frequent fliers. “[It’s] the absolute best airline I have flown with for customer service,” said another reader. “…the personnel are very helpful and considerate.”

Replay gallery

Your Profile

World's Best Airlines for Customer Service

1 of 20

No. 10 American Eagle, Domestic

1 of 20

2 of 20

No. 10 All Nippon Airways, International

2 of 20

3 of 20

No. 9 American Airlines, Domestic

3 of 20

4 of 20

No. 9 Korean Air, International

4 of 20

5 of 20

No. 8 AirTran Airways, Domestic

5 of 20

6 of 20

No. 8 Cathay Pacific Airways, International

6 of 20

7 of 20

No. 7 Delta Air Lines, Domestic

7 of 20

8 of 20

No. 7 Qatar Airways, International

8 of 20

9 of 20

No. 6 Sun Country Airlines, Domestic

9 of 20

10 of 20

No. 6 Air New Zealand, International

10 of 20

11 of 20

No. 5 Hawaiian Airlines, Domestic

11 of 20

12 of 20

No. 5 Porter Airlines, International

12 of 20

13 of 20

No. 4 JetBlue Airways, Domestic

13 of 20

14 of 20

No. 4 Etihad Airways, International

14 of 20

15 of 20

No. 3 Alaska Airlines, Domestic

15 of 20

16 of 20

No. 3 Virgin Atlantic Airways, International

16 of 20

17 of 20

No. 2 Southwest Airlines, Domestic

17 of 20

18 of 20

No. 2 Emirates, International

18 of 20

19 of 20

No. 1 Virgin America, Domestic

19 of 20

20 of 20

No. 1 Singapore Airlines, International

20 of 20

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery