BEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD

 TOP 8 BEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD

Singapore Airlines

In-Flight Experience: 98

On-Time Performance: 74

As the rankings show, Singapore Airlines offers far and away the world's best economy experience.

Employees are trained to treat everyone with care and respect, and that makes all the difference.

Add in the fact that Singapore Airlines scored 100 for seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, and in-flight entertainment, and it's easy to see why it's number one.

Malaysia Airlines 

In-Flight Experience: 90

On-Time Performance: 74

Malaysia Airlines got perfect scores for seat comfort and service efficiency. It even banned children in some areas of its planes, though economy travelers will still risk having their seat backs kicked by toddlers.

Its main hub is located in Kuala Lumpur, and it operates flights all around the region.

Virgin America

In-Flight Experience: 80

On-Time Performance: 74

Virgin America scored a 90 for its in-flight entertainment, and made Apple fans happy last year when it named one if its airplanes "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish," in honor of Steve Jobs.

It mainly operates long-haul flights from the east coast to the west coast of the U.S.

Qatar Airways 

In-Flight Experience: 90

Airline Reliability: 60

Qatar Airways earned perfect scores for seat comfort and service efficiency, and it offers free booze on international flights.

It operates a hub-and-spoke network of routes, and the Qatari government owns 50% of the airline.

 Lufthansa

In-Flight Experience: 80

On-Time Performance: 75

With hubs in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Munich, Germany's Lufthansa is the largest airline in Europe.

To compete in today's tough airline industry, the carrier has improved its business class seating, but economy is still excellent.

 Etihad Airways

In-Flight Experience: 80

On-Time Performance: 74

United Arab Emirates-based Etihad is barely ten years old, but it is growing rapidly: It said its profits tripled from $14 million in 2011 to $42 million last year.

Its has been named the World's Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards for the past four years.

Japan Airlines 

In-Flight Experience: 76

On-Time Performance: 81

Japan Airlines is based out of four main hubs in its home country and serves 103 destinations worldwide.

It's one the biggest buyers so far of Boeing's troubled Dreamliner passenger jet, and is busy modifying the planes with a newly-approved battery system so it can get them back in the air.

Turkish Airlines

In-Flight Experience: 80

On-Time Performance: 74

It's not the most reliable, but Turkish Airlines scored an 80 in every other category we measured.

With an ad campaign starring Kobe Bryant and Leo Messi, it has generated positive press in recent months — though some potential customers were put off by its proposed ankle-length uniforms for flight attendants.