Best Long Haul Airlines

I love to travel, and I always look for the best airline for a long trip. One list I check every year is the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. This article now follows the 2026 edition, the 39th US poll. Readers sent in 798,867 votes, and the results went online in October 2026.

How we chose: We looked at each company's own website, its fleet or services, where it operates, and its record in our directory of 21,000+ aviation companies. The Flying Engineer has been online since 2012. Companies cannot pay to be on this list or for their position. Featured companies on our directory are always labelled.

The airlines below are the ones readers rate highest for comfort, service and food on long flights. For another view, see this list of comfortable long-haul airlines.

Key Takeaways

• In the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, Qatar Airways came first among international airlines.
• Singapore Airlines came second and Korean Air third. Korean Air was seventh in both 2024 and 2025.
• Six of the top 15 are from East and Southeast Asia.
• Air France is 13th and Air New Zealand is 9th. Air Canada is not in the 2026 international top 15.
• Readers reward the same things each year: comfortable seats, kind crews and good food.

The 2026 Readers' Choice Top 15 International Airlines

Here is the full 2026 list from Condé Nast Traveler (US edition). It covers international airlines, and most of them are known for long-haul flying.

Rank	Airline	Home base
1	Qatar Airways	Doha, Qatar
2	Singapore Airlines	Singapore
3	Korean Air	Seoul, South Korea
4	Emirates	Dubai, UAE
5	Cathay Pacific	Hong Kong
6	Turkish Airlines	Istanbul, Turkey
7	JAL (Japan Airlines)	Tokyo, Japan
8	ANA (All Nippon Airways)	Tokyo, Japan
9	Air New Zealand	Auckland, New Zealand
10	La Compagnie	Paris, France
11	EVA Air	Taipei, Taiwan
12	Qantas	Sydney, Australia
13	Air France	Paris, France
14	KLM	Amsterdam, Netherlands
15	Virgin Atlantic	London, UK

Want to compare more carriers? Our airlines directory lists hundreds of them by country.

Air France: European Style in the Air

Air France is the flag carrier of France and placed 13th in 2026. Its French style still stands out at a time when many airlines cut back on comfort.

Fleet and Service

Air France flies modern Airbus and Boeing jets on its long routes. In spring 2025 it launched a fully redesigned La Première, its small first class cabin. Skytrax has named it the World's Best First Class Airline.

The airline is also adding flights to the US. It doubled its daily Paris to Newark service and opened a direct route between Paris and Las Vegas.

Gourmet Dining and Fine Wines

Food is a big part of the Air France trip. The airline works with well-known French chefs on its premium menus, and it serves a good choice of French wines. For many travelers, the meal is the best part of the flight.

If you want European style on a long flight, Air France is still a strong pick.

Korean Air: A Class Apart

Korean Air is the flag carrier of South Korea. In 2026 it jumped to third place, up from seventh in both 2024 and 2025. Its First Class Lounge at Incheon Airport also placed third among international airport lounges.

The airline made safety fun with a safety video starring the K-pop group BTS. Readers still talk about it. One wrote that it was "remarkable, creative, and entertaining."

Readers also praise the service and the food. The bibimbap gets more than one good mention.

Key Features	Korean Air
2026 ranking	No. 3 international airline (No. 7 in 2024 and 2025)
In-flight Entertainment	Safety video featuring BTS
Food	Korean dishes such as bibimbap, praised by readers
Lounge	First Class Lounge at Incheon, No. 3 international airport lounge in 2026

Top 10 Long-Haul Airlines for Comfort and Service

Cathay Pacific Airways is the flag carrier of Hong Kong. It placed fifth in 2026, and readers love its attention to detail.

Cathay Pacific Airways: Asian Luxury Redefined

The first class suites at Cathay Pacific have some of the widest flat beds you can find. They come with Bamford linens and a pillow mist. The airline even made its own craft beer, Betsy, a pale ale made to taste better at cruising height.

Amenities and Service

Good food is not only for the front of the plane. Cathay Pacific reworked its economy dinners around bold flavors, such as Hong Kong style beef curry. First class adds dishes like braised abalone and caviar.

Air New Zealand: Kiwi Hospitality at Its Finest

Air New Zealand placed ninth in 2026. It runs some of the longest flights in the world, so it pays close attention to seat comfort.

Smart Seating and Good Dining

The Skycouch is the airline's best-known idea. It turns a row of economy seats into a flat space, so families, couples or solo travelers can stretch out. Premium economy is a good middle option for business travelers on a budget.

Every class gets New Zealand wine, and the menus lean on local flavors. Since 2022 the airline has also flown direct between New York JFK and Auckland.

For work or fun, Air New Zealand is a top Pacific airline for long flights.

Qatar Airways: Redefining Luxury in the Skies

Qatar Airways is the 2026 winner. It flies one of the youngest long-haul fleets, with Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-1000s. Both jets keep the cabin at a lower altitude and with more humidity, which can ease jet lag.

Its Qsuite business class is the main draw. Each suite has a sliding door for privacy. Center suites can join to make a double bed, and some can form a four-person dining space.

Readers also praise small touches like hot towels and a welcome drink. Many flights connect through the Doha hub, so the airline links Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. It is now the top choice among Middle Eastern airlines in this poll, ahead of Emirates in fourth.

Feature	Qatar Airways
2026 Readers' Choice rank	No. 1 international airline
Business class	Qsuite with sliding doors, double beds and group suites
Long-haul jets	Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-1000
Cabin comfort	Lower cabin altitude and higher humidity on both jets
Hub	Hamad International Airport, Doha

Air Canada: North American Excellence

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline and flies long-haul routes to Europe, Asia and beyond. It is not in the 2026 international top 15, but I still like it for long trips from North America.

Modern Fleet and Service

Its long-haul fleet includes Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets, with lie-flat seats in business class. Meals and a good drinks list are part of the trip on long flights.

If you live in Canada or the northern US, Air Canada is a handy choice for long trips.

Conclusion

The 2026 list shows what readers value most on long flights: good seats, good food and caring crews. Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Korean Air lead this year. Air France and Air New Zealand stay in the top 15.

Use the list as a starting point. Then compare routes, prices and seats for your own trip.

FAQ

What are the top long-haul airlines for comfort and service?

In the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, the top five international airlines are Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Emirates and Cathay Pacific. Turkish Airlines, JAL, ANA, Air New Zealand and La Compagnie complete the top 10.

What makes Air France stand out for long-haul flights?

Air France is known for its French food and wine and its redesigned La Première first class. It placed 13th in 2026.

How does Korean Air differentiate itself in long-haul travel?

Korean Air is known for its BTS safety video, warm service and Korean food. It rose to third place in 2026.

What makes Cathay Pacific Airways a standout for premium cabin experiences?

Cathay Pacific has very wide first class beds with Bamford linens. It also serves its own craft beer, Betsy. It placed fifth in 2026.

How does Air New Zealand cater to passenger comfort on long-haul flights?

Air New Zealand offers the Skycouch, a row of economy seats that turns into a flat space. It also serves New Zealand wine in every class.

What sets Qatar Airways apart in terms of luxury travel?

Qatar Airways has the Qsuite business class with private doors and double beds. It also flies a young fleet of 787s and A350-1000s. It won first place in 2026.

How does Air Canada stand out in North American long-haul travel?

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, with a long-haul fleet of Boeing 777 and 787 jets. It is not in the 2026 international top 15, but it is a handy pick for travelers from North America.

Source Links

• https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-10-07/top-international-airlines-readers-choice-awards: The Best International Airlines, 2026 Readers' Choice Awards
• https://www.netflights.com/blog/which-is-the-best-long-haul-airline/: Which is the best long haul airline? Netflights Blog
• https://www.airlineratings.com/news/best-long-haul-airlines-for-2024-announced/: Best Long Haul Airlines For 2024 Announced, AirlineRatings

Sources: Condé Nast Traveler, The Best International Airlines (2026 Readers' Choice Awards, US edition); The Asia Business Daily report on Korean Air's 2026 results (7 October 2026); Alternative Airlines; Netflights; AirlineRatings.