“Air travel is about more than just the price of a ticket” is the motto of AirHelp for their newest airline ranking, through which the world’s leading carriers were evaluated based on criteria such as on-time performance, customer opinion, and claim processing.
While most of us tend to think of a flight as secondary to the travel experience that awaits us at our destination of choice, the truth of the matter is that the quality of the journey can set the tone for the entire getaway, and choosing the right airline is a great first step to the right direction.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to opt for a vetted carrier when given the option, like the ones that made it to AirHelp’s top 10 ranking.
While most names on the list are foreign and, thus, offer limited (if any) services in the U.S., there were two domestic airlines that were ranked at number 7 and 10, respectively.
American Airlines
American Airlines has long been a stalwart in the domestic aviation industry and probably the very name that pops into every traveler’s head when they think of a U.S.-based carrier.
The company’s long-lasting popularity is inherently intertwined with its consistent efforts to enhance the overall passenger experience, from streamlined check-in processes to a dedicated customer support system that makes the journey go that much smoother.
With an on-time performance score of 7.97, chances are you won’t have to suffer through hour-long delays and other scheduling inconsistencies when traveling with American Airlines – they even have a pretty accurate flight-tracking tool that lets you check on the status of your flight in real time.
Once you actually board the plane, things get even better.
The carrier has always prioritized in-flight comfort and entertainment, and on their planes, you’ll always find modernized cabins, ergonomic seating, as well as a comprehensive selection of movies and TV shows.
So, now that American Airlines has further expanded its services to many popular warm-weathered destinations (1,2,3), take this as a sign to finally take that sunny winter getaway.
United Airlines
Don’t let the no. 10 ranking distract you from the fact that United Airlines is still one of the best carriers in the world (of which there are over 5,000).
The airline has always prided itself in its customer-centric approach, probably best mirrored by its MileagePlus loyalty program, which famously offers passengers a wide range of benefits, including (but not limited to) priority boarding, lounge access, and discounted or complimentary upgrades.
This commitment to rewarding customer loyalty has fostered a sense of appreciation among frequent flyers, which explains why the U.S. carrier scored on par with higher-ranking airlines in terms of customer opinion on AirHelp’s study.
While on-time performance isn’t United’s strongest suit, the airline still remains one of the top 5 most punctual airlines in the U.S., and given its passenger traffic, that’s nothing short of impressive.
United also scored surprisingly high on claim processing given its no. 10 ranking, so if and when problems occur, you can rest assured that your case will be treated fairly and with the attention it deserves.
The Rest Of The Top 10
While United and American Airlines are both industry giants that promise a pleasant travel experience, those looking for the very best of what air travel has to offer might want to consider the international carriers that topped AirHelp’s latest ranking.
- Qatar Airways
- Eurowings
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- All Nippon Airways
- Austrian Airlines
- China Airlines
- Widerøe
You’ll find that while there are some obvious, high-end choices that top the list (like Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways), there are also budget-friendly airlines like Eurowings that manage to seamlessly combine affordability with high-quality service.
Depending on which of the criteria used by AirHelp you deem most important, these are the carriers you’ll want to choose:
Qatar Airways scored the highest on on-time performance, Eurowings scored the highest on customer opinion, whereas All Nippon Airways scored the highest on claim processing.
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