Gold List

The Best Airlines in the World: The 2021 Gold List 

The editors' favorite places, spaces, and ways of getting there.
Singapore Airlines
Courtesy Singapore Airlines

This is our editors’ annual rhapsody on their forever-favorite hotels from around the globe. In this year’s incarnation, we went beyond places to stay, including a range of experiences we consider truly exceptional—cruises, flights, restaurants, bars, destinations—along with the deeply personal reasons why we love them. This was the stuff we daydreamed about in lockdown, and a few places we were actually able to visit—all that sustained us in a year of curtailed travel. Here, the airlines we rated as tops.

See the latest winners here.

  • Norwegian Air
    Courtesy Norwegian Air

    Norwegian Air

    I caught a morning flight from Stockholm to Oakland on Norwegian Air. Traveling west meant the sun was up the entire trip. For hours I watched the map unfold. Norway, then Iceland and Greenland. Into Canada, over the Canadian Rockies, and on to the U.S. Rockies before landing in California. It was a thrilling route, and it definitely beat watching a mediocre movie.—Erin Florio

  • Courtesy Cathay Pacific

    Cathay Pacific

    Cathay Pacific is the long-haul airline I trust above all. They have the most comfortable lie-flat seats but my true favorite part of the flying experience is the piping hot garlic bread they serve with meals. It’s a guilty pleasure and I’m not alone: The food and beverage director once told me that they tried to remove it from the bread service, and frequent fliers revolted so quickly that they brought it back, ASAP.—Stephanie Wu

  • Courtesy Delta

    Delta

    I'm the least points-savvy editor on staff, I'd wager, but Delta does right by me. I notice that even when I'm climbing in my accumulation of points yet falling short of status, the airline—and its app—start rewarding me by boosting me to more desirable seats on flights. I'm a big fan of the partnership with AmEx, and I've been so pleased with their customer service, whether on the plane or on a phone, sorting out a weather-related issue.—Corina Quinn

  • Courtesy JetBlue

    JetBlue

    In my experience, JetBlue’s customer service is unparalleled. Even before the pandemic, they went out of their way to make booking and changing flights easy. Plus, they have free, reliable Wi-Fi and solid snacks and drinks onboard—this goes a long way with me.—Madison Flager

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  • Courtesy Swiss Air

    Swiss Air

    Zurich, where Swiss Air has its homebase, is the best European travel hub. Fares on the airline are usually low from the East Coast and connecting flights to places within the continent run with Swiss precision. Also the pre-ordered in-flight vegetarian meal on the return home comes from Hiltl, Europe’s oldest vegetarian restaurant.—Zoe Westerman

  • Courtesy United Airlines

    United

    My last flight in normal, pre-COVID times was on United, in their Polaris business class, on a 16-hour long haul to Cape Town. In theory, any flight this long on any airline should be a painful experience, but I actually daydream about the lie-flat seats and delicious food on that trip.—Jessica Puckett

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  • Chad Slattery/Courtesy Emirates

    Emirates

    I had my best airline experience on Emirates, hands down. I somehow found myself upgraded to first class on a flight from Delhi to Dubai and it felt like pure luxury. I was a celebrity! I was royalty! I was Madam President! The lay flat seats, the service, the food. I’m ruined for life.—Lara Kramer

  • Courtesy Singapore Airlines

    Singapore Airlines

    I recently flew Singapore Airlines on the longest direct flight in the world: 19 hours from Newark to Singapore. I was so nervous even though it routinely takes me 25 hours of multi-leg travel to visit family in Thailand. The flight ended up being a fantastic experience. I read books, watched movies, napped. Somehow, 19 hours felt like nothing.—Pallavi Kumar