Economy class travel has evolved significantly over the past decade, with airlines increasingly recognizing the importance of delivering comfort, reliability, and entertainment without the premium price tag. In 2025, readers of Business Traveller have cast their votes for the airlines that excel in providing the best economy class experience, focusing on aspects such as cabin comfort, meal quality, technology, and service. This year’s results not only highlight familiar leaders but also showcase subtle innovations that are reshaping the landscape of economy travel.
The list reflects passenger sentiment and overall experience rather than fleet size or route networks, offering an insightful ranking of airlines that prioritize economy passengers. Here are the top five airlines that have set new standards in economy class travel for 2025.
Qatar Airways: Setting the Benchmark
Qatar Airways once again claims the top spot, maintaining its reputation for offering a premium experience even in its most affordable cabin. Travellers frequently commend the airline for its spacious seating, supportive headrests, and a cabin layout that avoids feeling cramped during long journeys. The airline’s Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft are particularly praised for their quiet interiors and advanced air circulation systems that help reduce fatigue.
A standout feature of Qatar Airways is the Oryx One entertainment system, which remains one of the most comprehensive in the world. The interface is user-friendly, and the extensive collection of films, series, and live TV channels surpasses most competitors. Additionally, Qatar’s in-flight Wi-Fi, although variable across aircraft, generally performs better than many global carriers, proving handy on long-haul routes.
Meal service is another consistent strength for Qatar Airways. The airline emphasizes well-portioned dishes with balanced flavors, and passengers often comment on how the catering quality feels akin to premium economy on certain flights. Combined with attentive and multilingual cabin crew, Qatar Airways continues to set the standard for what modern economy class should offer.
Singapore Airlines: Synonymous with Excellence
Singapore Airlines remains a symbol of excellence, with its economy cabin reflecting the same meticulous attention to detail found across its premium products. Seats are ergonomically designed, providing excellent support even during ultra-long-haul flights. Features like adjustable footrests, supportive cushions, and cleverly contoured seats make long journeys more comfortable.
Passengers consistently praise KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ award-winning entertainment platform. With an extensive catalogue of content, responsive screens, and intuitive navigation, the system often outperforms many business-class equivalents. The airline’s commitment to passenger comfort is further demonstrated by its cabin lighting and air quality management, which help passengers rest better.
Singapore Airlines also excels in meal quality, often offering Asian-influenced options that stand out for their authenticity and taste. Crew service is polished, warm, and remarkably consistent across different routes, making the airline a favorite among families, solo travelers, and business travelers alike.
Emirates: Consistency and Satisfaction
Emirates secures the third position thanks to its broad fleet consistency and strong passenger satisfaction scores. Known for comfort across both its Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s, Emirates’ economy seats offer generous width and a clean, modern cabin design. The A380 remains a favorite among travelers due to its quiet environment and more spacious configuration.
The airline’s most defining feature continues to be the ICE entertainment system, regularly acknowledged as the best in-flight entertainment platform globally. With thousands of hours of content, superior screen quality, and intuitive controls, ICE sets the benchmark that others strive to follow. Meals onboard Emirates are hearty and thoughtfully presented, often exceeding the expectations typically associated with economy travel.
Emirates performs particularly well on long-haul routes to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, where consistent food quality and friendly cabin crew contribute to positive reviews.
Cathay Pacific Airways: Subtle and Refined Service
Cathay Pacific’s approach to service has always been subtle and refined, resonating strongly with frequent travelers. In 2025, its updated long-haul economy seats gained significant praise for lumbar support, increased ergonomic comfort, and enhanced storage space for personal items. Wider armrests and improved cushioning make the cabin more comfortable during lengthy journeys.
The airline’s StudioCX entertainment platform offers a strong variety of content and clear display quality. Passengers particularly value the calm and professional service style of Cathay’s cabin crew, which creates a peaceful in-flight environment. Cathay Pacific also performs strongly in catering, offering meals with balanced flavors and reliable portion sizes. Asian-influenced dishes, especially those on routes connecting Hong Kong with North America and Europe, receive particularly positive feedback.
Air New Zealand: Innovation and Warm Hospitality
Air New Zealand continues to innovate in the economy travel space, with its Skycouch—a row of seats that converts into a sofa-like surface—being a well-known favorite among couples and families. Even without Skycouch, the airline’s standard seats are well-designed, offering good cushioning, clear IFE screens, and adequate legroom.
Passengers highlight the airline’s friendly, humorous service culture as a defining element of the travel experience. The crew’s approachable style and uniquely New Zealand personality add a memorable dimension to the journey. Meal quality is strong, with fresh ingredients and regionally inspired dishes that travelers often enjoy.
Entertainment options are solid, and the airline has invested significantly in maintaining a consistent experience across its long-haul fleet. Air New Zealand’s combination of comfort, creative seating options, and warm hospitality helps it secure the fifth position in 2025.
Conclusion: A New Era for Economy Class
The 2025 ranking of the best economy class airlines by Business Traveller reflects a global shift towards elevating the economy experience. As competition grows, these airlines demonstrate that economy passengers can still enjoy a sophisticated, comfortable, and memorable journey, even on the world’s longest flights. With ongoing investments in new aircraft and cabin enhancements, the standard for economy travel in the years ahead is set to rise even further.
