The 2025 AirlineRatings World’s Best Airline Cabin Class Awards have recognized the top performers across Business Class, First Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. These awards highlight the airlines that offer the highest levels of comfort, service, and value for travelers within each cabin class.
World’s Best Business Class: Qatar Airways – Qsuite
Runner-Up: Cathay Pacific – Aria Suite
Qatar Airways has once again been awarded ‘Best Business Class’ at the 2025 AirlineRatings World’s Best Airline Awards.
The airline’s Qsuite, arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, features fully enclosed private suites with sliding doors, offering passengers complete privacy. For couples or those traveling together, the Qsuite allows two adjacent suites to convert into a double bed configuration—one of the few Business Class options providing a true “bed for two. “
AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Petersen remarked, “The experience on Qatar Airways Business Class is second to none. While the Qsuite is already best in class, Qatar will soon elevate it further with the launch of the Qsuite Next Gen, featuring wider seats, longer beds, enhanced privacy, and upgraded technology. ”
Runner-up this year was Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite, which is currently being rolled out across the airline’s 777 fleet. Each suite, also in a 1-2-1 configuration, features a sliding door, a fully flat bed, a luxurious blanket and pillow, and significantly increased storage. Passengers in the middle seats benefit from an electronic privacy divider while a tablet holder integrated into the tray table adds a unique touch.
The Aria Suite also boasts cutting-edge technology including wireless charging, a fixed 24″ 4K touchscreen for superior clarity and Bluetooth headphone connectivity for pairing personal earbuds.
World’s Best Premium Economy: Emirates and Qantas Tie for First Place
Both Emirates and Qantas have been awarded ‘Best Premium Economy’ at the 2025 AirlineRatings World’s Best Airline Awards.
“This year’s Premium Economy award was the hardest to decide with nine airlines offering exceptional products,” explained Petersen. “Airlines like Air New Zealand Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic all provide features such as leg rests generous recline wider seats increased seat pitch amenity kits business-class-style dining and enhanced in-flight entertainment.”
Ultimately Emirates and Qantas tied for the top spot equally excelling across all areas.
“In trying to pick a winner we started looking at relatively small seemingly insignificant details like dedicated cabins toilets blanket quality and cabin location” Petersen said “However for every advantage one airline had the other excelled in different area It quite simply became impossible to separate two ”
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Qantas Emirated tied top spot Best Premium Economy Category equally excelling across all areas“Both airlines serve business class meals fine china glassware dedicated cabin staff” Petersen continued “After analysing all details scores were identical Both airlines deliver exceptional most importantly consistent product making it impossible choose just one winner this year ”
World’s Best Value Premium Economy: Vietnam Airlines
Runner Up: TUI
Vietnam Airlines has been recognised second consecutive year winner AirlineRatings Best Value Premium Economy Award
Premium Economy has expanded across many airlines but not all offerings are equal Some stand out premium features like Emirates Qantas others focus providing exceptional value money Vietnam Airlines exemplifies latter
Meals served Premium Economy same those Economy drinks presented either glassware plastic depending route passengers still get priority check-in boarding baggage services spacious seats generous legroom pitch up on Passengers also benefit USB charging ports thoughtful amenities travel kits cosmetics pack without premium price tag
TUI made its debut awards this year offering passengers attractive value proposition Premium Economy Passengers enjoy priority check-in boarding seat pitch adjustable headrests footrests amenity kit complete noise-cancelling headphones blankets pillows Before takeoff treated glass Prosecco complimentary premium drinks available throughout flight Dining experience includes four-course meal followed lighter second meal before landing However similar Vietnam Airlines meal service aligns closely Economy Class offerings may feature plastic instead glassware
TUI made its debut awards this year offering passengers attractive value proposition Premium Economy “Travellers enjoy extra comfort space priority services without premium price tag or premium meals” said AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Petersen
World’s Best Economy Class Korean Air Runner-Up Air New Zealand
Korean Air set benchmark Economy Class spacious seating exceptional comfort said Petersen They offer most spacious economy seating world passenger feedback consistently highlights legroom space top priorities addition passengers given extra comforts such slippers larger meal portions which just add economy experience
Air New Zealand runner-up earned praise innovation particularly Skycouch upcoming Skynest beds Skynest captured imagination travellers globally added game-changing concept allowing economy passengers lie flat ultra-long-haul flights set period time
Air New Zealand runner-up earned praise innovation particularly Skycouch upcoming Skynest beds
The Skynest debuting Auckland–New York route features pods equipped bedding reading lights USB ports ventilation Meanwhile Skycouch remains popular option passengers can purchase seat next them additional comfort
While Korean Air took top spot once Skynest debuts Air New Zealand will hard beat concluded
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>World”s First Singapore Runner-Up Etihad Airways
>Singapore once named First Class AirlineRatings Awards airline flagship Suites aboard redefined luxury Each suite offers between square metres space sliding doors providing privacy highlight separate foldout flatbed measuring complete bedding duvet plush pillows Bedhead equipped gas spring allowing comfortably watch movies reclining partitions suites lowered create double forward suites Etihad First featured aircraft provide equally luxurious experience designed privacy comfort comes closing fully dressed mood lighting Dining standout feature enjoying gourmet carte meals bone china beverages glassware select routes onboard chef tailors personal preferences treated luxury ultra-comfortable pyjamas noise-cancelling headphones said Etihad Singapore deliver perfect blend exceptional making world-class products exquisite branded ensure detail contributes unforgettable experience
