South Korea's flag carrier has come out on top in the 'full service' category in the prestigious rankings by the Australia-based company AirlineRatings.com, which praised its "exceptional focus on passenger comfort".

The runner-up in the top 25 list was Qatar Airways, with Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific following in third and fourth respectively.

AirlineRatings.com says that the awards are "centred on passenger comfort, feedback, and product consistency across an airline's route network".

The firm added: "These awards are not a popularity contest; rather, each airline is thoroughly evaluated based on what it offers passengers through its fleet and network."

AirlineRatings.com also lauded Korean Air for topping the rankings.

It says: "Korean Air won the Airline of the Year 2025 for its exceptional focus on passenger comfort, particularly in economy class. where it maintains industry-leading seat pitches of 33-34 inches on wide-body aircraft.

"Unlike many competitors, the airline has resisted reducing seat space, ensuring a more comfortable travel experience.

"Korean Air's thoughtful touches, such as slippers and generous meal portions on long-haul flights, enhanced its appeal.

"Beyond passenger experience, the airline's financial stability, groundbreaking merger with Asiana Airlines, and significant investments in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft showcased its commitment to innovation and future-readiness, solidifying its win."

In the low-cost rankings, AirAsia came out on top ahead of Jetstar, AirBaltic, HKExpress and easyJet.

AirlineRatings.com top 10 full-service airlines 2025:

1. Korean Air

2. Qatar Airways

3. Air New Zealand

4. Cathay Pacific

5. Singapore Airlines

6. Emirates

7. Japan Airlines

8. Qantas

9. Etihad

10. Turkish Airlines