A new analysis undertaken by travel‑insurance experts MoneySuperMarket has revealed the world’s best airlines for long‑haul travel – welcome news for business travellers looking to make their next long‑distance journey smoother, more comfortable, and more productive.
The Long‑Haul Flight Index brings together passenger reviews and performance data from Skytrax, Which?, Airline Quality, Trustpilot, and TripAdvisor, creating a comprehensive picture of how the world’s most popular airlines perform across the metrics that matter most: reliability, comfort, service, value, and the overall onboard experience.
Singapore Airlines Takes the Crown
Topping the global ranking is Singapore Airlines, which scored 4/5 or higher across key categories including value for money, reliability, in‑flight experience, customer ratings, and food and beverage quality. Impressively, it was the only airline in the entire study to achieve a 4/5 value‑for‑money score, a standout achievement in an era when long‑haul travel is under more scrutiny than ever.
For business travellers, this combination of consistency, comfort, and service excellence makes Singapore Airlines a particularly strong choice – especially for those who rely on punctuality, restful cabins, and seamless onboard service to stay productive on the move.
The Top 10 Long‑Haul Airlines
According to the MoneySuperMarket index, the world’s best long‑haul airlines are:
- Singapore Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- TUI
- Emirates
- Qantas
- Malaysia Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Delta Air Lines
- Air France
Each of these carriers performed strongly across a blend of operational reliability and passenger‑experience metrics, offering business travellers a range of excellent options depending on route, schedule, and loyalty preferences.
What the Data Shows
The study highlights how varied the long‑haul experience can be. Some airlines excel in timeliness, others in service or entertainment, and some shine in overall reliability. The index’s strength lies in its balanced scoring system, which looks beyond punctuality alone to consider the full passenger journey – from seat comfort to staff service to the quality of onboard dining.
For business travellers, this holistic approach is particularly valuable. Long‑haul flights are often the start of a packed itinerary, and the right airline can make the difference between arriving refreshed and ready – or frazzled before the work even begins.
A Positive Outlook for Global Travel
Overall, the study paints an encouraging picture. Many of the world’s leading airlines are performing strongly across multiple categories, giving travellers more choice and more confidence when booking long‑distance trips.