Between the high fares, surprise fees, and constant budget cuts that make basic amenities non-existent, flying economy can be a nightmare today. Check out these airlines, said to offer enjoyable in-flight experiences, dependable departure and arrival times, and reasonable costs.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay is based out of Hong Kong and has one of the best in-flight entertainment programs. Its flight attendants are highly trained on the importance of good service and said to be one of the “smiliest” crews.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has high rankings on seat comfort, in-flight entertainment, cabin cleanliness and quality of service, but its score is brought down slightly by its reputation to often run off schedule. The airline offers service to Australia, the South Pacific, Asia, Europe and North America.
Korean Air
Korean air provides service to all the six inhabited continents, and while it’s not renowned for over-the-top in-flight entertainment or cabin appearance, it is regularly voted up-to-standard on all of these. A highlight: the airline has its own farm where it raises the beef you’ll be served for in-flight meals.
Silk Air
A subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Silk Air specializes in short flights, so in-flight entertainment is mediocre. But within that short airtime, passengers enjoy complimentary alcohol on all international flights.
Garuda Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia is said to have some of the most comfortable seats of any economy cabin. It flies mainly to Asia, Australia and the Middle East, but take caution: some countries deemed it “unsafe” and it was banned from flying in the European Union from 2007 to 2009. Since then the ban has been lifted.
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA is the largest airline coming out of Japan. It is not known in particular for any one element of the flight experience, airplane or service, but has received consistently good scores in all of those areas for years.
Qatar Airways
Qatar is another airline with very comfortable seats, and a highly attentive and friendly staff. Again, passengers on international flights receive free alcoholic beverages. The Qatari government owns 50% of the airline.
Asiana Airlines
Originally Seoul Airlines, this airline is based out of Incheon International Airport, right outside the South Korean capital. It was honored with the title Best Overall Airline In The World in 2012, and has recently fallen to No. 4.
Virgin America
Virgin has one of the best programs for in-flight entertainment, with each passenger — even in economy — enjoying a private screen and the airline has access to many of the newest media content. Its main routes are between the East and West coast of the U.S.
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines has some of the most comfortable seats and efficient staff in any of the economy cabins. With passenger enjoyment in mind, children are even restricted from certain areas of the cabin. It’s based out of Kuala Lumpur and operates all over that region.
