The Best Airlines To Fly In 2024

The Best Airlines To Fly In 2024

"Almost 10,000 travelers have shared their thoughts on the quality of service they received from various airlines over the past year. Let's discover which airlines have impressed their customers the most, and which ones have room for improvement."

Now that we're slowly coming out of the chaos caused by the pandemic, the airline industry is having to adapt to a whole new set of challenges, like changing customer needs, new safety rules, and an unpredictable economy. With all this in mind, people are starting to think about more than just the cost of a ticket when they're deciding which airline to fly with. They want to make sure they'll have a comfortable and stress-free trip.

For millions of Americans, traveling abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they just can't miss out on. Whether you're a newbie to international travel or a seasoned pro, there's nothing quite like the thrill of getting a new stamp in your passport.

But with so many airlines to choose from, how do you know which one is the best for your next trip? Let's take a look at some of the most popular U.S. carriers and see which ones offer the most international destinations.

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The Best Airlines for International Travel in 2024

United Airlines: 67 countries

United Airlines is the biggest airline in the world, based on the number of seats they offer and the miles they fly. They boast of having the most extensive global network among all North American airlines, which means they can help you get to almost any destination you have in mind.

With nonstop flights to 67 countries and 134 international destinations, United Airlines offers more flights to global destinations than any other U.S. airline. So whether you're planning a trip to Europe, Asia, South America, or anywhere else in the world, United's website is a great place to start your search for flights.

And if United can't get you to your desired destination, don't worry. They're a founding member of Star Alliance, a group of 26 international airlines that serve 195 countries. So one of their partner airlines is likely to be able to help you out. Some of the Star Alliance partner airlines include:

1. Air India
2. Air New Zealand
3. ANA (Japan)
4. Asiana Airlines (South Korea)
5. Ethiopian Airlines
6. Lufthansa (Germany)
7. Singapore Airlines
8. TAP Air Portugal

By joining the United MileagePlus® frequent flyer program, you'll be able to earn and use United frequent flyer miles on any of the Star Alliance partner airlines. This means you'll have even more opportunities to travel to different countries, and you'll get more bang for your buck when you use your United Airlines credit cards.

American Airlines: 60 countries

American Airlines comes in at a close second place when it comes to the number of countries that U.S. airlines fly to. With flights to over 60 countries and 350 destinations (including those within the U.S.), American Airlines has an impressive reach.

Here are some of the newest international destinations that American Airlines has added to its network:

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Nice, France
3. Naples, Italy
4. Ocho Rios, Jamaica
5. Tulum, Mexico

Similar to United Airlines, American Airlines is also part of a larger international network of airlines, which means they can help you get to even more destinations around the world. The oneworld® Alliance, of which American Airlines is a member, includes 13 airlines that serve more than 170 territories and over 900 destinations globally.

If you sign up for the AAdvantage® program (American Airlines' frequent flyer program), you'll be able to earn and redeem your American frequent flyer miles on any oneworld® Alliance airline. Here are some of the airlines that are part of the oneworld® Alliance:

1. British Airways
2. Iberia (Spain)
3. Japan Airlines
4. Qantas (Australia)
5. Qatar Airways

If you're a frequent international traveler and you want to earn as many discounted flights or upgrades as possible, it might be a good idea to consider getting an American Airlines credit card.

Delta Air Lines (50 countries)

Delta Air Lines may not have as extensive of an international network as American Airlines or United, but it's still a strong contender with flights to 50 countries. And thanks to its partnerships with other international airlines, Delta can help you get to a total of 60 countries, across six continents, and to 1,000 destinations.

Here are some of the airlines that Delta Air Lines has partnered with:

1. Aeromexico
2. Air France
3. KLM (Netherlands)
4. Korean Air
5. LATAM (South America)

By flying with Delta's partner airlines, you can earn and redeem Delta SkyMiles®. This is just one more reason why Delta Air Lines credit cards can be a great investment - not only do you earn frequent flyer miles on Delta flights, but you can also use those miles to book award travel with over 20 partner airlines.

International Airlines:

As a traveler from the U.S., don't limit yourself to flying only on American airlines. Many international airlines offer the same level of customer service (or even better), and you might even find more affordable prices and exciting deals.

I've had the pleasure of flying with several international airlines, including Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and TAP Portugal, to name a few. Flying with Asiana gave my family the chance to explore the impressive Seoul Incheon Airport during a layover, while Iberia provided us with a delightful overnight stopover in Madrid. And thanks to TAP Portugal, I was able to discover the beautiful city of Lisbon for the first time.

Choosing an airline can be an opportunity to embrace the sense of adventure and discovery that comes with international travel!

Best US Airlines for Economy, Business, and First Class

Unfortunately, air travel has become a source of frustration for many people. With seats getting smaller, flights becoming more crowded, and fees for services like checked baggage on the rise, even the most experienced travelers can feel overwhelmed. However, there are still a few airlines that manage to stand out from the crowd, offering a more pleasant and passenger-focused experience.

One area where some airlines are really shining is in their customer service. The staff at these airlines have a reputation for being friendly and helpful, which can make a big difference in the overall travel experience. According to this year's study, the key to success for these airlines is their investment in staff training and recruitment. By prioritizing the human element of their business, airlines like Delta and Southwest are able to overcome the challenges of crowded gates and planes and provide a more positive experience for their passengers.

Delta was the clear leader in the premium segment of the survey, taking the top spot in both the first/business class and premium economy categories. The Atlanta-based airline has been focusing on improving its onboard experience in recent years, with upgrades like more comfortable seats and premium amenity kits in its Premium Select cabin. Delta's lie-flat business class seats, known as Delta One, are a hit with passengers thanks to their comfortable bedding and fully closing doors. The airline is even expanding its Delta One offerings on its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, adding eight more seats to the premium cabin this summer for a total of 40.

In the economy segment, Southwest Airlines was named the favorite among budget travelers for the third year in a row. Passengers love perks like two free checked bags, complimentary snacks, open seating, and affordable fares. To see how the other North American airlines ranked in the 2024 survey, check out the full list below by cabin class.

First and Business Class

1. Delta Air Lines
2. JetBlue Airways
3. United Airlines
4. Alaska Airlines
5. American Airlines
6. Air Canada

Premium Economy

1. Delta Air Lines
2. Alaska Airlines
3. American Airlines
4. JetBlue Airways
5. WestJet
6. United Airlines
7. Air Canada

Economy and basic economy

1. Southwest Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Allegiant Air
4. Alaska Airlines
5. JetBlue Airways
6. American Airlines
7. WestJet
8. United Airlines
9. Air Canada
10. Spirit Airlines
11. Frontier Airlines

Delta Air Lines and JetBlue were named the most comfortable airlines in the rankings, thanks to their free amenities like Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and drinks. The least comfortable airline, according to the survey, was Frontier. As Happe explains, 'Delta and JetBlue provide a comfortable flight experience with perks like Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and free snacks and drinks. Frontier, on the other hand, doesn't offer the same level of comfort during the flight, as they don't have many of the free benefits that their competitors do.

When it comes to safety, Spirit Airlines is the clear winner, with an impressive safety record that includes no fatalities and fewer than 15 injuries between 2018 and 2023. Alaska Airlines comes in second place in terms of safety, with a strong commitment to passenger well-being. According to Happe, 'Spirit Airlines has been named the safest airline due to its excellent performance in various safety metrics, including incident and accident rates. Alaska Airlines, while it has a good overall performance, has a lower ranking in safety metrics compared to Spirit Airlines. Since 2018, Alaska Airlines has had a higher rate of incidents and accidents per total number of flights.

In terms of affordability, Spirit Airlines is once again the top choice, offering budget-friendly options for travelers, including those looking for business class flights. On the other end of the spectrum, American Airlines is named the most expensive airline in the survey. As Happe explains, 'Spirit Airlines is the most affordable airline, with great options for budget-conscious travelers, including those seeking business class seats. American Airlines, on the other hand, lags behind its competitors in terms of affordability, according to our study.