Best Long Haul Airlines in the World in 2025, No.6 Will Surprise You!!

DUBAI— Emirates (EK) has once again been voted the world’s best long-haul airline by more than 20,000 readers in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards. The results that were revealed this July underscored evolving traveller preferences and heightened expectations across carriers operating long-distance routes.

The annual survey evaluated 48 major global airlines, with respondents flying out of leading hubs such as Tokyo Haneda (HND), Singapore Changi (SIN), and London Heathrow (LHR).

EK topped the list by outpacing All Nippon Airways (NH), Singapore Airlines (SQ), and Virgin Atlantic (VS), cementing its leadership in long-haul operations.

Photo- Emirates

Emirates Wins The 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards

Emirates wins the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards for the second consecutive time since 2023, which was held at London’s Pompadour Hotel Café Royal. EK’s success is driven by its strategic investments in onboard service, cabin upgrades, and excellent global connectivity.

Since 2014, Emirates has consistently ranked among the top two, demonstrating strong passenger loyalty and unmatched brand presence in the long-haul segment.

Here’s the list of the Top 10 Best Long Haul Airlines in the World:

Photo: Clément Alloing

Emirates and Singapore Airlines Enjoy Top Ranks

A decade-long review of Telegraph Travel Award rankings from 2014 to 2025 reveals consistent trends and shifting perceptions among frequent flyers. Emirates has remained a dominant force, never falling below second place.

EK’s consistency reflects its sustained investment in product innovation, expansive route growth, and a globally admired premium experience.

All Nippon Airways (NH) represents one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the rankings. After placing 22nd in 2014 and failing to enter the top ten in 2023, NH surged to second in 2025.

Photo: Clément Alloing

The rise of All Nippon Airways mirrors Japan’s broader focus on service culture, punctuality, and long-haul network enhancements.

Singapore Airlines (SQ), a three-time winner between 2017 and 2019, continues to command high passenger approval.

SQ’s third-place ranking in 2025 mirrors its strong performance in 2023, supported by its award-winning Suites Class, efficient service, and a strong regional-to-global network.

Photo: Qatar Airways

Rank Shuffle Evident In The Middle Order

Qatar Airways (QR) has remained a staple in the top five throughout the decade, finishing strong in 2023 and now in 2025.

QR’s consistently high standards, including Qsuite cabins and a rapidly expanding network, continue to resonate with customers.

Japan Airlines (JL), once mid-ranked in 2015/16 and 2017, secured fifth place in 2025. Its ascent underscores continuous product improvement, increasing intercontinental relevance, and a renewed focus on fleet modernization.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Virgin Atlantic (VS), known for its distinctive brand and strong transatlantic presence, placed sixth in 2025.

Although it ranked as high as third in 2014, it maintained a steady top-ten presence by adapting its onboard product and loyalty program to meet changing customer expectations.

Cathay Pacific (CX) ranked seventh in 2025, consistent with past performance. Despite challenges in the Asia-Pacific market like political and logistical constraints in Hong Kong, CX has retained customer trust through its premium cabins and service ethos.

Photo: Cathay Pacific

Trailing Carriers Face Tough Competition

EVA Air (BR) came in eighth place, reaffirming its position as one of Asia’s most reliable and service-oriented carriers.

Known for its excellent premium economy and safety standards, EVA has remained a top-ten regular over the years, peaking at sixth in 2018.

Air New Zealand (NZ), which ranked as high as third in 2018 and fifth in 2019, settled at ninth in 2025.

NZ continues to enjoy high favor among travelers to and from the South Pacific, though increased competition in premium cabins may be impacting its standing.

Etihad Airways (EY) closed out the top ten, rising from 12th in 2023 and improving upon its 14th-place finishes in 2018 and 2019. Its resurgence reflects renewed investments in the guest experience, network development, and premium service enhancements.

Etihad A380 First-Class; Photo- Etihad

Emirates Introduces New Routes in 2025

In 2025 alone, Emirates launched new routes to five cities: Shenzhen (SZX), Da Nang (DAD), Siem Reap (REP), Damascus (DAM), and Hangzhou (HGH).

These additions strengthened its presence across key Asian growth markets and improved one-stop access for global travellers heading to Southeast Asia and China.

EK also rolled out its next-generation Airbus A350 on initial routes to Edinburgh (EDI), Lyon (LYS), and Bologna (BLQ), with plans to expand the type’s deployment to 14 more cities by year’s end.

The A350 offers better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and elevated passenger comfort across all cabin classes.

Emirates Boeing 777-300ER First Class; Photo- Emirates

Cabin Upgrades and Retail Expansion

As part of a $5 billion retrofit programme, Emirates refurbished 61 aircraft in 2025 alone, including 31 Airbus A380s and 30 Boeing 777s.

Upgraded interiors across First, Business, and Economy cabins reflect its ongoing commitment to luxury, space, and technological enhancements.

Emirates also expanded its retail presence, opening nine travel-focused stores across Asia, Africa, and Europe. These locations promote brand accessibility and offer customers personalized service, loyalty support, and booking flexibility in major urban markets.

Photo: Emirates

Emirates Skywards and Culinary Updates

In loyalty, Emirates grew its Skywards programme through new partnerships with Garuda Indonesia (GA), AEGEAN (A3), and flydubai (FZ).

It also integrated hotel rewards from Marriott Bonvoy and Accor’s ALL, offering members expanded opportunities to earn and redeem miles across air and accommodation partners.

Culinary innovation remained central to Emirates’ 2025 enhancements. The airline introduced 18 new Business Class dishes, each paired with exclusive Champagnes from its cellar. This elevated dining approach highlights its continued investment in hospitality that rivals top-tier restaurants.

Photo: Emirates

United Kingdom Remains Crucial For Emirates

The United Kingdom remains one of Emirates’ most important long-haul markets. In 2025, the airline operated 133 weekly flights to and from the UK, reflecting both demand and strategic network importance.

Emirates deployed multiple daily Airbus A380 services to London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), and Birmingham (BHX).

It also maintained daily nonstop flights to London Stansted (STN), Newcastle (NCL), Glasgow (GLA), and Edinburgh (EDI), ensuring strong regional connectivity for UK travelers.

Flight search data for 2025 revealed a 12% year-on-year increase in UK-based inquiries. Emirates attributed this rise to growing interest in long-haul destinations such as Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius—routes where it offers one-stop links via Dubai with minimal transit times.

These figures reinforce the airline’s strong brand visibility and continued appeal in one of Europe’s most competitive outbound travel markets.

Representative Photo: British Airways

Legacy Western Carriers Losing Favour Among Flyers

British Airways (BA), once a perennial top-five airline, dropped to 36th place in 2025, its lowest long-haul ranking in recent history.

The result signals growing dissatisfaction among travelers and underscores the widening gap between legacy Western carriers and their Asian or Middle Eastern competitors.

Lufthansa (LH) and Air Canada (AC) also saw notable declines, with both carriers slipping several positions compared to 2023. Many passengers cited inconsistent service, outdated cabins, and pricing concerns as reasons for turning to more competitive alternatives.

These performance setbacks illustrate the ongoing challenge facing legacy Western carriers. In an era where luxury, efficiency, and personalisation matter more than ever, airlines unable to adapt risk continued market erosion.

Photo: Norse Atlantic Airways

Norse Atlantic Challenging Industry Titans

Unlike its legacy counterparts, Norse Atlantic (N0) debuted strongly in 2025, ranking 14th overall. The newcomer’s success demonstrates a strong interest in low-cost, long-haul models.

Norse Atlantic’s services offer customers newer aircraft with competitive fares, all without sacrificing essential comfort. This airline’s performance has routinely exceeded that of several full-service carriers.

Photo: Cado Photo

Long-Haul Airlines Encounter Constant Tussle

Some successful long-haul airlines that performed well this year include Turkish Airlines (TK), Qantas (QF), and SAS (SK). Each of them managed to climb four places in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards.

These gains have been the result of route expansion, customer engagement, and premium services, particularly in emerging or underserved markets.

As competition intensifies and traveler expectations evolve, long-haul airlines face a critical inflection point. Carriers that invest in service, sustainability, and seamless global access will likely shape the next generation of industry leaders.

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