Top five premium airlines in the world, according to travel experts

In addition to ranking fourth, Air New Zealand was awarded best economy class and was the top pick for long-haul travel in Australia and the Pacific.

Since 2011, the airline has had lie-flat bed seats in economy. BI’s reporter Taylor Rains previously booked a seat — known as a “Skycouch” — for a 17-hour flight and found that the added comfort made the long flight go by quickly.

BI’s reporter Monica Humphries flew with Air New Zealand in business class. She was impressed by spacious seats with footrests, three-course meals, and Champagne service before takeoff.

No. 2 on the list, Korean Air, won the excellence in long-haul travel title for North Asia.

Rains reviewed her experience on a 12-hour flight in Korea Air’s business class and said the cabin looked like a private jet with private, boxed-in quarters, and her seat felt more like a hotel room with a lie-flat bed, an amenity kit, and storage bins for her belongings.

In addition to being the world’s No. 1 premium airline, Qatar Airways won the best business class award for the fifth year in a row and received the excellence in long-haul travel award for the Middle East.

AirlineRatings.com editor in chief Geoffrey Thomas said Qatar Airways was the No. 1 pick for many of the criteria, according to the company’s website. In passenger reviews, Thomas noted the luxury airline scored far “ahead of all airlines, and its consistency and high standard of service delivery came through in the feedback.”

BI previously reported that Qatar Airways has impressive business-class suites, lavish complimentary amenities, gourmet food, and luxurious turn-down service.