These Are the Best Airlines, Airports and Cruise Lines in 2024
Air travel may not be the highlight of anyone’s trip, but in the hands of a capable operator, there are elements that can be downright enjoyable. In fact, when you’re flying with a top airline through a top air hub, the journey indeed can be as enriching as the destination. What travelers consider the best airlines in Asia-Pacific shouldn’t come as much surprise; they’re names that pop up repeatedly in such lists. The lineup of best airports in Asia Pacific, too, has plenty of familiar players. Here’s to the airlines and airports that excel at making the act of travel through the region much more than just a means to an end.
Best Airlines in Asia-Pacific
Analysts say Singapore Airlines is set to reap its largest ever net profit in the 2024 financial year, in the vicinity of S$2.7 billion. Flying SQ may be costlier than competitors, but customers are glad to pay that tad bit extra, assured they’ll get value for money in the form of service unrivalled by any other airline. First class is fab (Bollinger Grand Anée 2015 was recently introduced as the house pour), but even in economy, you’ll be treated like a valued human being, which brings so many of us back to the batik-clad embrace of Singapore’s flag carrier.
3. Emirates
8. Etihad
10. Korean Air
Best Airports in Asia-Pacific
You’ll regularly disembark an aircraft at Changi and within 15 minutes, have effortlessly negotiated passport control, picked up some duty free, collected your baggage and hopped in a spotlessly clean taxi—it’s the world’s most efficient, most painless airport. People’s biggest complaint? The carpets here are too plush, slowing the roll of one’s hand luggage. (A minor concern, compared to being herded like cattle in the two-hour immigration queue at Heathrow or JFK.) The ultimate irony: if there’s any airport in the world where we actually wouldn’t mind being delayed, it’s this one.
2. Hong Kong International Airport
3. Dubai International Airport
4. Samui International Airport
5. Hamad International Airport
6. Tokyo Haneda
8. Tokyo Narita
9. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
10. Abu Dhabi International Airport
Best Ocean Cruise Lines in Asia-Pacific
When many of us envisage getting away from it all, a big part of what we imagine is escaping the huddled masses—being “far from the madding crowd,” as it were. Running contrary to this aim, often mainstream cruise liners are essentially floating metropolises, some of which hold more than 7,000 passengers. At the other end of the exclusivity spectrum, even the largest of Regent Seven Seas’ ultra- luxurious, tastefully decorated vessels accommodate a mere tenth of that number, with a staff/guest ratio of nearly 1:1, ensuring service is as personalised as it is attentive.
Check out the full lists of our readers’ picks of the Best Cruise Lines and the Best Airlines as well as Best Airports for 2024. And for all of this year’s Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific winners, click here.
Lede image courtesy of Changi Airport.