The world has witnessed the rise and fall of many airlines in the past few decades. What differentiates the world’s leading airlines from their competitors? Is it the fleet size only or aircraft orders? NOT EXACTLY!
(This blog includes the insight of 20 large aircraft operators’ fleet size and existing orders with the aircraft manufacturers.)
Table of Contents
Standards that define the best airline
Below mentioned are a few criteria which put any airline on the most desirable list:
Standards of business conduct
A value system based on integrity and honesty helps maintain a strong commitment towards customers, shareholders, business partners and employees.
Environmental, Social and Governance
Airlines must provide clear, transparent information about how they manage and address the range of ESG issues they face in the business.
Corporate Governance
World’s leading airlines earn their rank by:
- Maintaining strong and healthy governance practices,
- Regular assessment and by refining the policies and procedures.
Customer service
airline business must provide safe, dependable and friendly air transportation to the passengers. It is the safety, comfort and convenience of passengers that matters.
Skytrax’s top 10 airlines list of 2021
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Air France
Fleet size and existing aircraft orders of large airlines around the world
- American Airlines (United States)
American Airlines has placed around 179 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 862 Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
- United Airlines (United States)
United Airlines has placed around 49 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 834 Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
- Delta Air Lines (United States)
Delta Air Lines has placed around 29 used B737-900ERs aircraft orders and leased seven used A350-900s. Its fleet size includes around 750 Boeing and Airbus.
- Southwest Airlines (United States)
Southwest Airlines has placed around 234 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 735 Boeing aircraft orders.
- China Southern Airlines (China)
China Southern Airlines has placed around 57 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 640 Boeing, Airbus and Comac aircraft.
- China Eastern Airlines (China)
China Eastern Airlines has placed around 122 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 601 Boeing, Airbus and Comac aircraft.
- Ryanair (Ireland)
Ryanair has placed around 158 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 493. Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
- Air China (China)
Air China has placed around 97 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 471 Boeing, Airbus, Comac and Dassault Falcon aircraft.
- Turkish Airlines (Turkey)
Turkish Airlines has placed around 88 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 373 Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
- easyJet (United Kingdom)
easyJet has placed around 106 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 310 Airbus aircraft.
- Alaska Airlines (United States)
Alaska Airlines has placed around 23 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 303 Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Embraer aircraft.
- IndiGo (India)
IndiGo has placed around 548 aircraft orders. This is one of the largest aircraft orders placed by airlines. Its fleet size includes around 282 Airbus and ATR-72 aircraft.
- JetBlue (United States)
JetBlue has placed around 156 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 282 Airbus and Embraer aircraft.
- Emirates (United Arab Emirates)
Emirates has placed around 115 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 264 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
- Lufthansa (Germany)
Lufthansa has placed around 157 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 263 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
- British Airways (United Kingdom)
British Airways has placed around 47 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 254 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
- Air France (France)
Air France has placed around 100 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 254 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
- Qatar Airways (Qatar)
Qatar Airways has placed around 121 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 233 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
- Hainan Airlines (China)
All Hainan Airlines has placed around 68 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 221 Airbus, Comac and Boeing aircraft.
- All Nippon Airlines (Japan)
All Nippon Airlines has placed around 75 aircraft orders. Its fleet size includes around 214 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Airbus Versus Boeing
Two of the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers are competing with each other every year.
Airbus had a total of 20,409 aircraft orders and 13,536 deliveries as of 31 July 2021.
Boeing had a total of 25,512 aircraft orders and 19,564 deliveries as of January 2019.
Conclusion
Airlines around the world prefer the Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Skytrax’s top 10 airlines are rated by airline customers every year. The fleet size of these airlines shows their strength in terms of passengers, cargo and employees. Also, existing aircraft orders placed by top 20 airlines give a glimpse of its future.
The recent legal dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus of the aircraft orders cancellations is going to benefit the rival manufacturer Boeing.
FAQs
1. Which cargo aircraft did Qatar Airways order recently?
Qatar Airways is one of the largest freight carriers. It has placed an order of 50 Boeing 777-8 aircraft. Boeing 777-8 aircraft will be the world’s largest twin-engine cargo plane with
• the maximum payload capacity
• 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and costs.
2. Which cargo aircraft did Singapore Airlines order recently?
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has placed orders for seven Airbus A350Fs and options for five more. Airbus introduced the A350F – A large widebody cargo aircraft with the capability to transport a cargo of some 109 tonnes, around 64 vehicles.
3. Which airport is on the top of Skytrax awards 2021?
The airport of the year award for 2021 is awarded to Hamad International Airport of Doha, the capital city of Qatar.
4. What is Skytrax’s world airline award?
Skytrax World Airline Awards is provided after airline passenger satisfaction survey for airlines and represents a global benchmark of excellence.
Great compilation and presentation Anjani.
Keep up the good work.
Stay blessed.