Airport
Top 17 World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2017

1. AIRASIA, MALAYSIA
Impressively, AirAsia is the world’s best low-cost airline for the 9th year running. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the airline operates an extensive network covering more than 120 destinations in 26 countries across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and the USA. Just 15 years ago, the airline was a failing state-owned business but was rapidly turned around by CEO Tony Fernandes.
2. NORWEGIAN AIR, NORWAY
Also voted best long-haul low-cost airline and best low-cost airline in Europe, Norwegian Air comes in second on this list. The company flies to more than 100 destinations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the USA – making headlines earlier this year when it offered one-way flights between Dublin and New York for just $90 (£69). Its planes are instantly recognizable as they each have a red nose and portraits of famous Scandinavians on their tail fins.
3. JETBLUE AIRWAYS, USA
“You above all” is the reassuring slogan of JetBlue Airways, credited with raising the standards of low-cost carriers in the US thanks to its friendly-service, satellite TV and free snacks. With headquarters in New York, the carrier has routes to 102 destinations across North, Central and South America. The company recently announced plans to remove its schedules from 11 online travel sites to encourage direct bookings, thereby cutting the commission it pays to third parties.
4. EASYJET, UK
No-frills British airline easyJet burst onto the scene in 1995, launched by self-titled ‘serial entrepreneur’ Stelios Haji-Ioannou. It’s now the second-largest airline in Europe by number of passengers, behind Ryanair, carrying around 73 million people annually. EasyJet flies to more than 100 destinations throughout Europe and North Africa.
5. VIRGIN AMERICA, USA
Virgin America prides itself on offering a top-notch service at an affordable price. Even passengers in the main cabin can expect mood lighting, snacks, power outlets, wi-fi, leather seats and video touchscreens in every seatback. Those flying in Select and First Class have more legroom and premium meals. Virgin America flies to 21 destinations across the US, plus three in Mexico.
6. JETSTAR AIRWAYS, AUSTRALIA
Jetstar Airways is based in Melbourne and promotes itself as “Australia’s No. 1 Low Fares Airline”. Founded in 2004, the company flies to destinations throughout Australia and New Zealand and also has routes to China, Japan, Vietnam, the US, Thailand, Malaysia, Fiji, Indonesia and the Cook Islands. Jetstar Airways is wholly owned by Qantas Airways, which offers a more premium service.
7. AIRASIAX, MALAYSIA
Long-haul and low-cost carrier AirAsiaX has flown over 19 million passengers since it launched its maiden flight 10 years ago. It currently serves 23 destinations across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Africa. Earlier this year, founder Tony Fernandes ended speculation that the airline would return to Europe and start flying to the US, confirming the company will remain focused on Asia only.
8. AZUL LINHAS AÉREAS BRASILEIRAS, BRAZIL
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras is the latest success of co-founder David Neelemen, who also helped build JetBlue and WestJet. Founded in 2008, the São Paulo-based budget airline’s success is largely down to the fact it began by targeting under-served cities throughout Brazil. Its fleet of 125 jets now fly to more than 100 destinations throughout Argentina, Bolivia, French Guiana, Portugal, the USA, and Uruguay.
9. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, USA
The world’s largest low-cost carrier, Southwest Airlines has more than 700 Boeing 737 jets and operates more than 4,000 flights a day in peak season. The Dallas-based airline flies to around 100 destinations across the US, South America and the Caribbean.
10. INDIGO, INDIA
New Dehli-based IndiGo is the largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried – a total of 41 million people last year. One of the fastest-growing aviation companies in Asia, it’s about to add another 400 Airbus jets to its current fleet of 100. IndiGo flies to 46 destinations, most of which are domestic, but also airports in Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Singapore and Thailand, along with Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
11. WESTJET, CANADA
Launched in 1996, WestJet was originally a small regional airline but has grown to become the second-largest carrier in Canada. The cost-conscious company now flies to more than 100 destinations throughout Canada, Central America, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean – and plans to expand into Asia and South America in the next few years.
12. SCOOT, SINGAPORE
Owned by Singapore Airlines, Scoot was launched in 2012. The company offers a no-frills, low-cost service alongside business class ‘ScootBiz’, which offers extra legroom and larger, leather seats. Scoot operates services in Singapore, Honolulu, China, Malaysia and the Gold Coast of Australia.
13. JETSTAR ASIA, SINGAPORE
Jetstar Asia, an off-shoot of Jetstar Airways, flew into the skies in 2004. A latecomer to the budget aviation market, the business differentiated itself from other airlines by traveling within a five-hour radius of Singapore, while its competitors didn’t go beyond four hours. Jetstar Asia travels to around 100 destinations across India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, New Zealand and Australia.
14. EUROWINGS, GERMANY
Low-cost carrier Eurowings flies to more than 150 destinations throughout Europe as well as Thailand and South Africa. The company offers passengers three fare options for both short and long-haul flights: Basic (flight only), Smart (preferred seating, food and luggage included) and Best (premium seating and legroom, à la carte catering and in-flight entertainment). Its parent company, Lufthansa, recently bought over 81 of Air Berlin’s plane, increasing the Eurowings fleet to 210 aircraft.
15. RYANAIR, IRELAND
Dublin-based Ryanair is Europe’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers. The company serves 34 countries throughout the continent as well as Morocco and Israel. The budget airline made the list despite cancelling thousands of flights this summer after a ‘mess-up’ in how it scheduled time off for pilots. Customer satisfaction improved from 2014 when Ryanair allowed customers two free carry-on bags. But, from January 2018, passengers will be charged for the privilege.
16. VUELING AIRLINES, SPAIN
Spain’s second-largest carrier, Vueling flies to over 160 destinations throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. The company, based in Barcelona, offers three fares: Basic, Optima (allocated seating and check-in luggage) and Excellence (front row, allocated seating, priority boarding, larger luggage allowance). The airline flew 2 million passengers in the UK during the summer 2017, an 8% increase from the summer season of 2016.
17. TIGERAIR, SINGAPORE
Tigerair Singapore merged with Scoot in July 2017 and now operates under that name, but before all this it was voted the 17th best low-cost airline in the world. The economy service continues to operate flights throughout southeast Asia, Bangladesh, China and India. (This entry does not refer to Tigerair Australia, which is a different operation entirely.)
18. PEACH, JAPAN
Japanese airline Peach operates 14 domestic routes and flies to 15 international destinations across Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea. Passengers can chose between three fares: Simple, Value and Prime, with the more expensive options offering allocated seats, additional legroom and bigger luggage allowances.
19. AIR CANADA ROUGE, CANADA
A low-cost subsidiary of Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge began operating in 2013 with just four aircraft. The company now has 49 planes and flies to more than 90 popular destinations throughout Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, South America and the USA. The airline is currently in the process of adding high-speed wi-fi to its entire fleet. All Airbus 319s will be equipped by spring, followed by its Airbus 321s and Boeing 767s later in 2018.
20. SPICEJET, INDIA
In 2014, Indian airline SpiceJet was about to fold – and was even forced to cancel 2,000 flights because it couldn’t afford to pay for oil. Its fortunes changed when chairman Ajay Singh took over and it’s now the third-largest carrier in the country. SpiceJet now operates more than 300 flights to 55 destinations throughout India, China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Airlines
Inflight Ramadan Experience: Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways Offer Traditional Meals and Religious Content for Passengers

The most well-known Middle Eastern airlines are providing special Ramadan meals to its customers. Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad have developed distinctive recipes in response to the holy month of Ramadan.
Emirates
Emirates is preparing thousands of Ramadan meal boxes for fasting passengers both onboard and Iftar boxes at boarding gates, an array of religious content and Ramadan series on ice, and traditional Ramadan refreshments and meals in the lounges.
The Ramadan meal boxes will include light dishes and starters such as hummus and spinach bil zeit, Greek salad and cauliflower bil tahini, falafel sandwiches, pasta salad and fried aubergine with mint, zaatar chicken salad and cauliflower bil tahini, chicken musakhan sandwiches with Arabic bread, as well as staples like traditional dates and refreshing laban. A smaller Iftar box will also be served at boarding gates at Iftar time including all the essentials to comfortably break the fast.
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Emirates’ Ramadan and Iftar boxes will be served to complement the regular hot meal service and menu’s will be refreshed on a weekly basis to ensure a best-in-class dining experience during the Holy Month. The boxes will be served on flights to select destinations during times that coincide with iftar, on flights to and from the Gulf region, as well as flights catering to Umrah groups traveling to Jeddah and Medina during the month of Ramadan.
Qatar Airways
It offer a bespoke Iftar to passengers on board and at Al Safwa, Al Mourjan and Global Premium Lounges. Special Ramadan offerings will be available on flights to the GCC, Middle East, and some Indian Sub-continent, African and Asian destinations.
Similarly, Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge and Al Mourjan Business Lounge will announce the prayer call; in readiness for passengers to utilize the prayer rooms.
Travelers can choose from a selection of traditional Ramadan favorites for a fulfilling dining experience in addition to the Qatar Airways customary dining experience served alongside Qatar Airways’ signature Ramadan-themed lantern.
Etihad Airways
Etihad’s regular hot meal service will be complemented by the Iftar meals onboard, and guests will be treated to meals including Saffron curry crusted seabream, Lamb shank with black lime jus, Lentil soup, Chaami and beetroot salad, Machboos chicken ciabatta sandwich, Aseeda cheesecake, Saffron pot de creme with batheeta crumble and more. A selection of the bespoke recipes will be available online or by scanning QR codes placed at the bottom of the onboard menu, allowing guests to recreate Etihad’s unique inflight meals at home.
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The Etihad Ramadan experience starts from the lounges at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will also feature Ramadan dishes and beverages as well as dedicated prayer rooms. Travellers breaking their fast prior to departure or just before landing will be provided with takeaway bags containing dates, a drink and a snack.
The airline’s inflight entertainment system, E-box, will be updated with a selection of Ramadan content in addition to recordings of the Holy Quran and the Mecca Qibla pointer that are always available on board.To view Etihad’s special Ramadan menu and select recipes, click here.
Airlines
FAA Urges Airlines, Pilots and Others to Take Key Safety Actions

Following the FAA’s Safety Summit last week, the agency issued a safety alert with specific steps it wants airlines, pilots and others to take.
The FAA is urging the following actions:
- Ensure pilots and flight attendants have the same understanding of what “sterile flight deck” means and the risks associated with extraneous communication during this time.
- Emphasize the importance of awareness of the aircraft in relation to taxiways, runways and other aircraft. This includes reviewing the following previously published SAFOs:
- Encourage personnel to identify and report existing and emerging safety issues through voluntary reporting programs and understand the usefulness of voluntary reporting systems for the operation in which you are engaged.
- Reinforce adherence to published processes and procedures, including checklists, Air Traffic Control instructions, and internal company procedures.
- Ensure Safety Management Systems are accounting for the high rate of change and churn in the industry.
Airlines
Israel’s El Al to resume India flights using Saudi corridor

El Al Israel Airlines announced on Thursday that it would resume flights to India in October after a three-year break, citing reduced flight times because of the ability to fly across Saudi Arabia and Oman.
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Using Boeing 737 aircraft, Israel’s national airline will fly four times a week from Tel Aviv to Mumbai. The trip should take 5.5 hours instead of the previous 7.45 hours. Moreover, it will operate twice-weekly flights to New Delhi on larger Boeing 777 or 787 aircraft. El Al reported that the flight time on the trip will decrease to 6.5 hours from 9.
After the recently obtained clearance to fly over the skies of Saudi Arabia and Oman, the introduction of the new routes is now feasible, according to El Al.
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Israeli travelers and businessmen enjoy India. El Al has started using the new route on flights to Asia since Muscat joined Riyadh in allowing Israeli civilian overflights last month. El Al claims that the new Saudi corridor will enable it to increase its service to Australia and Asia.
Airlines
United airlines announces first Electric Air Taxi Route in Chicago

Archer Aviation Inc. and United Airlines announced plans to launch the first air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago. Vertiport Chicago, North America’s largest vertical aircraft takeoff and landing facility, is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop.
This site was selected as the takeoff and landing site for this airport to city center route because of its unparalleled convenience, access and service. From there, passengers will be able to travel to and from ORD via Archer’s Midnight aircraft in approximately 10 minutes. A similar trip by car can take upwards of an hour or more during rush hour traffic.
United and Archer’s goal for its UAM network is to provide residents and visitors in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with a safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive alternative to ground transportation beginning in 2025. Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, a center for business, innovation and investment, and home to United’s headquarters.
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This makes it a unique city for Archer and United to build out. The early launch routes will focus in on airport to city center transportation service, which are referred to as “trunk” routes. Once the trunk routes have been established, the next step will be to build out “branch” routes to connect to surrounding communities.
ComEd, the Midwest’s largest utility company, will work with United and Archer to establish the power infrastructure necessary to support eVTOL aircraft operations in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
Airlines
Off-duty pilot helps land 737 after Southwest pilot falls ill during flight

A Southwest Airlines flight’s safe landing on Wednesday is credited to an off-duty pilot who acted quickly after one of the two flying pilots became suddenly ill.
Southwest Flight 6013 had taken off just after 6:30 a.m. heading for Columbus, Ohio, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware. As it was airborne, one of its pilots “required medical attention,” a representative for the airline stated, without revealing information about the health condition.
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The pilot then fell unconscious, and the crew moved him to the back of the aircraft where they began to treat him. The flight’s off-duty pilot, who travelling to be a passenger, went to the cockpit and handled radio communications for the duration of the flight. After returning to Las Vegas, the aircraft’s first officer landed at Harry Reid International Airport a little more than an hour after takeoff.
In a statement, Southwest said that a credentialed pilot from another airline who was on board “entered the fight deck and aided with radio communication as our Southwest pilot flew the aircraft.”And grateful for the off-duty pilot’s support and help. “We praise the crew for their professionalism and appreciate our customer’s patience and understanding regarding the circumstance,” Southwest stated in a statement. The FAA said it is investigating the incident.
Airlines
Emirates to launch first A380 service to Bali

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will deploy its signature A380 aircraft to Bali starting from 1 June 2023, marking a milestone in Indonesia’s aviation history as the first scheduled A380 service to the country.
The new 2-class Emirates A380 service will replace one of the two daily services to Bali currently operated by a 2-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline’s debut A380 flight EK368, will depart from Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 03:25 hrs, arriving in Denpasar International Airport (DPS) at 16:35 hrs local time. The returning flight, EK369, will depart Bali at 19:40 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 00:45 hrs local time. All times are local.
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Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, the Emirates App, at Emirates sales offices, and via both online and offline travel agents. Travelers are also encouraged to check the Emirates website for the latest travel requirements.
On a two-class Emirates A380 aircraft, passengers are offered 58 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 557 generously pitched seats in Economy Class. Customers traveling to and from Bali can look forward to enjoying Emirates’ spacious and comfortable cabins; signature products that offer travelers the best experiences in the sky like the Onboard Lounge, as well as regional cuisine including a number of Indonesian dishes. ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system offers more than 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment with a wide selection of Indonesian content.
Emirates continues to expand its A380 network to meet increasing travel demand globally. The airline’s flagship aircraft is currently deployed to 41 destinations, including Dubai and is likely to expand to nearly 50 destinations by the end of the summer.
Airlines
Luxury on a Budget: The Top 5 Airlines with the Best Economy-Class Experience

Fear not if first or business class is out of your price range when traveling with the aircraft. Many international airlines provide business travelers with a superior level of service. The economy cabin on these airlines is among the best you’ll find, even though none of them provide lie-flat seats. Here are five airlines that offer the most luxurious economy-class travel, complete with extras.
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1. Japan Airlines
The industry-wide offers some of the roomiest spacing between rows and the widest seats, both from Japan Airlines. The economy seats are not only comfy, but you will also receive first-rate food and drink, such as Japanese Soba noodles, Ume-shu (plum wine), sake, and on-demand snacks. As one may anticipate from a Japanese airline. It offers wider legroom, alongside superior cuisine, in-flight entertainment, and amenities. In addition to a straightforward booking process and an exceptional ground experience, flying economy class with Japan Airlines is the best decision for your travels.
2. Emirates
Emirates receives the 2022 Skytrax World’s Best Economy Class Award. One of the biggest economy seats available is Emirates’ 18-inch wide economy seat on the double-decker Airbus A380. The renowned onboard bar is not accessible to economy passengers, but there are still many luxurious touches. The seatback screens include more than 5,000 entertainment channels. On emirates economy dining for short-haul flights can anticipate Sandwiches, Mozzarella and sundried tomato on rye and turmeric bread. And for Long haul flights flyers can anticipate Fresh seasonal fruit, Cheese omelette Served with grilled chicken sausage, potato hash and sautéed mushrooms with tomato concassé.
3. Singapore Airlines
You may still enjoy comfortable seats on Singapore Airlines, which is renowned for its services and hospitality, and most of its cabin crew are at the highest level of possible service. Economy Class seats are designed to give you more personal space. Even if the seat in front of you is reclined. If you want more legroom, you can choose Extra Legroom Seats with wider seat pitches and locate near the exits. It’s a comfortable spot to be in. Even if you frequently travel to the same location, you may have delicious new main meals with more than 40 freshly made dishes, which include hearty congee and gravy-rich mee siam. On board, there will also be a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including wine, cocktails, beer, soft drinks, fruit juices, coffee, and various teas.
4. Qatar Airways
When you fly with Qatar, you may experience a whole world, of comfort and space. Spacious seats provide enough space, to fully enjoy your travel, whether you want to eat, sleep, or simply stretch out while watching, more than 4,000 widescreen entertainment options. A variety of free beverages are provided by Qatar Airways. The alternatives are unlimited, with beverages to fit, any kind of taste buds, from a fruity fizz, to coffee or tea, and much more.
5. ANA
ANA is ranked among the top 10 five-star airlines in the world due to its exceptional service and reasonable economy seats. It has newly designed seats, were slimmed down to achieve, a spacious seat pitch of 34 inches, yet remain just as comfortable as previous model. The slim design of these reclining seats, enables to make most of legroom. Along with main dishes, like boiling Udon noodles, or grilled red rockfish teriyaki. Economy travelers leaving, Japan have the option, to book a gourmet dinner for a nominal fee.
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