While British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Earned Spots on Skytrax List, no US Airlines Made Cut, Here’s What’s New
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  • Travel and Tour World
  • Tuhin Sarkar

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and Swiss International have all landed on the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards list. But there’s a twist—no US airlines made the cut.

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and Swiss International have all landed on the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards list. But there’s a twist—no US airlines made the cut. Yes, not one. In a year full of fierce global competition and rising traveler expectations, this shocking update reveals a lot about the state of the airline industry. What went wrong for American carriers? Why did British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa—yes, Lufthansa twice—and Swiss International soar above the rest?

As the latest Skytrax rankings shake up the aviation world, one thing is clear: some airlines are climbing while others are crashing in reputation. The absence of US airlines adds a dramatic turn to this year’s results. With the spotlight on international carriers dominating the skies, this new update will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about flying. Curious? The full story is even more revealing.

US Airlines Shut Out of 2025 Global Rankings as Gulf and Asian Carriers Soar

The aviation industry’s most prestigious ranking has landed—and once again, American carriers are nowhere to be found among the world’s top 20 airlines.

In a sweeping rebuke to US aviation giants, the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards crowned Qatar Airways as the world’s best airline for the ninth time. Middle Eastern and Asian airlines dominated the list, tightening their grip on global passenger loyalty. Not a single US carrier cracked the top 20, raising alarm bells across the travel industry.

Meanwhile, competitors like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific continue to deliver superior experiences that fuse luxury, precision, and consistency. Their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has earned them repeat spots at the top—at a time when American carriers face mounting criticism for falling service standards and ballooning fees.

This is not just a blow to prestige. It signals a deeper crisis in the US airline business model.

Travelers Feel the Gap—And They’re Voting With Their Wallets

Passenger expectations have evolved rapidly. Post-pandemic travelers crave comfort, predictability, and value. But as the rest of the world upgrades its service game, U.S. carriers appear stuck in cost-cutting mode.

Many domestic airlines still charge for basics—seat selection, checked luggage, or even carry-ons. These so-called “junk fees” generated over $12.4 billion in revenue between 2018 and 2023 for major U.S. airlines like Delta, United, and American. That revenue comes at a price—passenger trust.

At the same time, international carriers have made bold investments in premium cabins, service training, and on-ground lounge experiences. Qatar Airways, for example, didn’t just take the global crown. It also swept awards for Best Business Class and Best Airline Lounge—testaments to its all-around excellence.

The takeaway is clear: global travelers are no longer willing to compromise. They expect value beyond price tags. They want quality and consistency—and they’re turning to the Middle East and Asia to find it.

Where U.S. Airlines Went Wrong

While airlines worldwide faced post-pandemic challenges, many used the crisis as a chance to redefine the flying experience. Not so in the U.S., where operational efficiency often triumphed over passenger comfort.

For years, the American market has operated on razor-thin margins, pushing airlines to squeeze every dollar from passengers. The result? Smaller seats, delayed upgrades, and an erosion of loyalty programs.

Even with some modest recognitions—JetBlue made the top 10 regional airline list, and Delta earned Best Staff in North America—these acknowledgments pale compared to the sweeping wins of their global counterparts.

This year’s Skytrax survey, spanning from September 2024 to May 2025, aggregated millions of customer responses. And those customers made their dissatisfaction loud and clear.

The Middle East and Asia: Rising Strong, Leading Bold

The best airlines of 2025 reveal a seismic shift in global aviation power. Middle Eastern and Asian carriers now dominate not only the top 10 but much of the top 20 list.

Qatar Airways led the pack, with Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates securing top-tier rankings. ANA, Korean Air, and Japan Airlines weren’t far behind. Even newer names like STARLUX Airlines and Hainan Airlines made the cut.

These airlines have become symbols of how innovation, cultural service values, and investment in technology can transform aviation. From cutting-edge cabins to chef-curated meals and seamless airport experiences, these carriers deliver something that seems increasingly rare in the U.S.—delight.

The Cost of Complacency in American Aviation

This growing gap isn’t just a reputational problem. It’s a business one.

The world is more connected than ever. International travelers are quick to share experiences, leave reviews, and switch loyalty when disappointed. The lack of U.S. carriers on the world’s top 20 list is a red flag that American airlines must heed—or risk being left behind.

As global tourism rebounds and leisure travel surges, American airlines face a choice: evolve or fall further into irrelevance on the international stage.

The consequences of failing to act are stark. With more carriers joining alliances, building codeshare networks, and investing in luxury, passengers are increasingly bypassing U.S. options entirely when booking transcontinental or long-haul flights.

What Needs to Change—Now

To reclaim their place among the best, U.S. carriers need a reset. That starts with prioritizing passenger experience over profit margins.

Reimagining business class isn’t enough. Passengers want transparency, comfort in economy cabins, fewer fees, faster check-ins, and personalized services. Investing in frontline staff, modernizing aircraft, and eliminating hidden charges would be a strong start.

Moreover, American airlines must adopt a global mindset. Competing with Emirates or Singapore Airlines means understanding that flying isn’t just transportation—it’s hospitality at 35,000 feet.

Until then, the message from global travelers is loud and clear: luxury, service, and value win hearts—and wallets.

The Full List: 2025’s Top 20 Airlines

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Cathay Pacific
  4. Emirates
  5. ANA All Nippon Airways
  6. Turkish Airlines
  7. Korean Air
  8. Air France
  9. Japan Airlines
  10. Hainan Airlines
  11. Swiss International Air Lines
  12. EVA Air
  13. British Airways
  14. Qantas Airways
  15. Lufthansa
  16. Virgin Atlantic
  17. Saudi Arabian Airlines
  18. STARLUX Airlines
  19. Air Canada
  20. Iberia

The travel industry is evolving at record speed. In 2025, the airlines that soar aren’t the ones with the biggest fleets—but the ones delivering the richest experiences. If U.S. carriers want to rise again, the time to change is now.

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