Long-haul flights can feel daunting—but they’re also the gateway to the far-flung destinations travelers dream about for years. The good news is? A handful of airlines have figured out how to make those marathon journeys genuinely comfortable, delivering thoughtful service, solid amenities, and a better onboard experience from takeoff to touchdown—even for passengers seated in economy.
In late December, MoneySuperMarketTravel insurance provider, has released a list of the top airlines for long-haul flight. It created its list by analyzing passenger reviews and performance metrics across 26 carriers, including their timeliness, chance of cancellation, and value for money, along with ratings on seat comfort, in-flight entertainment, and food and beverages—all pulled from sites like TrustPilot, TripAdvisor, AirlineQuality, and Skytrax.
After analyzing all the information, Singapore AirlinesThis was also voted Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite international airline of 2025The results showed that was the winner. According to the results, the airline scored four out of five on all key metrics including reliability, value for money and in-flight experiences, as well as customer ratings and food and beverage. The results noted that “it was the only airline to achieve an overall value for money score of 4.5/5.”
It’s no surprise that Singapore Airlines is at the top of the list. Given its reputation for luxury, five-star service, Alicia Hempsted shared with T+L.
Qatar Airways was a close second, followed by Cathay Pacific and TUI. The top 10 also included Emirates, Qantas Airlines, Malaysia Airlines Virgin Atlantic Delta Airlines Air France.
American Airlines, on the other hand, scored the lowest out of all popular airlines in terms of seat comfort, inflight entertainment and food and beverage ratings, as well as TripAdvisor. However, it did well when it came to timeliness. That gives a glimmer hope to those who are concerned about taking off and landing in time.
Hempsted said that “these rankings are important because they provide a clearer picture of the long-haul travel experience than just punctuality.” “They highlight comfort, service, and value for money—factors that can make or break flights longer than 10 hours. If you have special needs like being pregnant or traveling on business, or if you are nervous about flying, selecting the right airline will make a big difference.
No matter what airline you choose, long haul flights can be uncomfortable. Before you go to the airport, make sure to check out this list. 33 ways to make a long trip, dare we say, enjoyable.
