5 Star Airlines: What Are They?
A 5-star airline is one that delivers the highest level of service and the best in-flight experience.
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Key takeaways
- A five-star airline offers top-notch service, comfort, and amenities, including increased legroom, high-quality food, and thoughtful touches like amenity kits in economy.
- Skytrax, a UK-based research company, rates airlines from one to five stars based on various factors, including cabin service, language skills, and overall staff friendliness.
- Only 10 airlines are currently rated five stars, including major carriers like Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Japan Airlines.
- With Going membership plans, you can get real-time alerts as soon as prices drop for domestic and international flights. That way, you know you're getting the some of the cheapest flights every time.
Similar to hotels, airlines have a rating system that indicates the overall level of quality of an airline. A five-star airline is one that delivers the highest level of service and the best in-flight experience.
One of the companies that rates airlines is the UK-based research company, Skytrax, which has been awarding individual airlines with between one and five stars. These ratings are based on “analysis of between 500 and 800 product and service delivery assessment items,” reflecting the standards of five star aviation, such as cabin service, flight attendant and agent language skills, check-in facilities, and overall staff friendliness.
What are the benefits of flying a five-star airline?
Similar to the difference between a no-frills one-star hotel vs a full-service five-star one, a five-star airline generally offers a more pleasant experience with elevated service and much higher quality amenities.
These could be things like increased legroom and more comfortable seats, better quality food served during the flight, thoughtful touches like amenity kits even in economy. Airport perks include nicer lounges and friendlier staff. You may also find things like a more generous checked baggage allowance included with the ticket price or a frequent flyer program with better rewards.
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Which airlines are designated as 5-star?
There aren’t many 5-star airlines that can claim the coveted rating. At the time of this writing, there are only 10 five-star airways on the list:
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Asiana Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Garuda Indonesia
- Hainan Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
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Why is Emirates not 5-star?
Emirates has long been highly rated but has not earned a 5-star rating from Skytrax. Factors such as consistency in service across all classes, the quality of lounges, and other specific areas may influence its rating, even though it is still considered a premium airline.
How many 5-star airlines are there?
At the time of writing, there are 10 airlines with a 5-star rating from Skytrax: ANA All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Which flight is 5-star?
Airlines like Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Japan Airlines are examples of flights that hold a 5-star rating from Skytrax.
Is Alaska Airlines a 5-star airline?
No, Alaska Airlines is not a 5-star airline. It is generally regarded as a reliable airline but falls below the 5-star rating threshold.
How many stars is JetBlue rated?
JetBlue is typically rated as a 3-star airline by Skytrax, offering good service, but it doesn't meet the higher standards required for a 5-star rating.
Is Air France a 5-star airline?
Air France is not rated as a 5-star airline. It holds a 4-star rating for its service and offerings.
Is Qatar a 5-star airline?
Yes, Qatar Airways is a 5-star airline, renowned for its luxury, service, and in-flight experience.
Did Lufthansa lose 5-star rating?
Yes, Lufthansa was downgraded from a 5-star to a 4-star rating by Skytrax due to concerns about customer service and consistency in its product offerings.
We always consider airline quality when determining what deal to send members of Going, and when we send a deal on a five-star airline, we’ll note it in the email so you can be fully informed on what to expect.
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Last updated Feb 27, 2025