



This Airline Was Named the Best for Economy Class for Comfort, Food, and Entertainment


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Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Skytrax Economy Class Airline Rankings: A 500‑Word Deep Dive
Travel + Leisure’s latest feature on the best economy class airline of 2025 pulls together data from Skytrax’s most recent review cycle, offering an inside look at which carriers are excelling in the fiercely competitive low‑fare segment. The article is a concise, well‑structured roundup that not only names the top performer but also provides context, criteria, and a short commentary on why certain airlines are standing out in the current landscape.
1. The Skytrax Methodology
Before diving into the list itself, the piece explains that Skytrax conducts a global survey of airline passengers and industry experts. Ratings are weighted across several categories:
- Seat comfort and leg‑room – the size of the seat and pitch, plus the design of the economy cabin.
- Cabin crew service – friendliness, availability, and helpfulness of flight attendants.
- In‑flight entertainment (IFE) – variety and accessibility of on‑board content.
- Wi‑Fi and connectivity – speed, coverage, and price.
- Food and beverage quality – freshness, variety, and service speed.
- Overall value – a composite score that balances price and experience.
Each airline receives a numeric score out of 10, with the overall ranking derived from the aggregate of all categories. Travel + Leisure links to Skytrax’s own “Best Economy Class Airline 2025” page (https://www.skytrax.com/airline-awards/best-economy-class-airline) for readers who wish to explore the detailed breakdown.
2. The Top‑Rated Airline: Qatar Airways
At the pinnacle of the list sits Qatar Airways, reclaiming the title from previous years. The article notes that Qatar’s economy cabin has undergone a facelift: a slimmer seat layout that offers a 34‑inch pitch, a more spacious aisle, and updated, ergonomically‑shaped seats that reduce fatigue on long‑haul flights. Passengers highlighted the airline’s “exceptional” cabin crew, whose attentiveness and multilingual staff set a new benchmark.
Qatar’s in‑flight entertainment is again praised, with an updated “Oryx” system featuring over 2,400 titles and a user‑friendly interface. Wi‑Fi is now available on most flights, a first for an airline that historically did not offer connectivity. The food is described as “savory and well‑presented,” and the complimentary drinks lineup is expanded to include more premium options.
The article links to Qatar Airways’ own press release (https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases) to provide readers with further details on the recent cabin redesign.
3. A Solid Runner‑Up: Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines follows Qatar at number two, with a score that reflects its longstanding reputation for customer service. The article highlights Delta’s “Comfort+” program, which offers additional leg‑room seats for a nominal fee, and notes the airline’s “consistent” seat quality across both domestic and international routes. Delta’s cabin crew received high marks for friendliness and quick service, while its Wi‑Fi upgrade (now available on most flights) earned praise.
Delta’s food, while still a solid “pass‑good” offering, is seen as an area for improvement compared to the industry leaders. Nevertheless, the overall value rating is buoyed by the airline’s frequent‑flyer program and the breadth of its route network.
A link to Delta’s corporate sustainability page (https://www.delta.com/sustainability) is included, underscoring the airline’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions—an increasingly important factor for eco‑conscious travelers.
4. Mid‑Tier Highlights
The article rounds out the top 10 with several noteworthy carriers that have made significant strides:
Rank | Airline | Key Strengths |
---|---|---|
3 | Singapore Airlines | Premium economy in the same cabin, excellent service, high‑quality IFE. |
4 | Air France | Strong cabin crew, updated seat design, good in‑flight meals. |
5 | Alaska Airlines | Consistent seat comfort, friendly crew, affordable pricing. |
6 | British Airways | Good IFE, solid cabin crew, upgraded seats on long haul. |
7 | JetBlue | Wide‑seat, high‑quality food, strong Wi‑Fi. |
8 | United Airlines | Improved cabin crew, better seat comfort, new entertainment options. |
9 | Emirates | Luxurious in‑flight service, excellent IFE, friendly crew. |
10 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Well‑designed economy cabin, good IFE, friendly crew. |
For each airline, the article offers a short “why it matters” paragraph, detailing the aspects of the flight experience that most impressed Skytrax’s panel. Notably, the piece points out that both Singapore Airlines and Air France have been steadily climbing the ranks due to significant cabin renovations, while Alaska Airlines remains a favorite for domestic travelers because of its “always‑friendly” cabin crew.
Travel + Leisure also links to each airline’s Skytrax profile page, allowing readers to see the full scorecard. For instance, the link to JetBlue’s profile (https://www.skytrax.com/airline-profile/jetblue) reveals its 9.1 overall rating, with a particular shine on seat comfort.
5. Industry Context & What’s Changing
A recurring theme in the article is the shifting emphasis on digital connectivity. Skytrax’s reviewers noted that airlines offering robust, fast Wi‑Fi and an expanded IFE library are receiving higher scores. This shift is particularly relevant for long‑haul passengers who rely on streaming and work connectivity. Qatar Airways’ new Wi‑Fi rollout is a case study in how connectivity can tip the scale in a tight market.
The piece also references the broader Skytrax “Airline of the Year” award, noting that Qatar Airways won the overall title in 2024, and that the economy class ranking was a direct extension of that broader performance. The article links to the main Skytrax awards page (https://www.skytrax.com/airline-awards) for readers interested in the full spectrum of accolades.
6. Takeaway for Travelers
For readers planning a 2025 trip, the article distills the rankings into a quick decision guide:
- If seat comfort and cabin crew are your top priorities: Qatar Airways or Delta Air Lines.
- If in‑flight entertainment and Wi‑Fi are key: Qatar, Delta, or JetBlue.
- If you’re budget‑conscious but want decent comfort: Alaska Airlines or United.
- If you’re traveling on a long haul and want a premium experience in economy: Singapore Airlines or Air France.
Travel + Leisure concludes by encouraging readers to explore the Skytrax scorecards, as individual preferences can vary: a traveler who values leg‑room might prefer Alaska over Singapore, whereas someone who wants the best in‑flight content might lean toward Qatar.
7. Final Thoughts
Overall, the article is a concise yet comprehensive summary of the 2025 Skytrax economy class airline rankings. By combining objective scores, qualitative commentary, and direct links to airline and Skytrax pages, Travel + Leisure provides a useful resource for consumers. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a leisure traveler, or someone looking to compare value across airlines, the piece serves as a clear, data‑driven guide to the best economy class experiences available in 2025.
Read the Full Travel + Leisure Article at:
[ https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-economy-class-airline-2025-skytrax-ranking-11821822 ]