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What Are The World's Best Airline Brands? Here Are My Favorites...

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In this post, I’d like to share a list of my favorite airline brands in the world. I think this is a fun topic, and I’m curious to hear how my preferences compare to those of fellow aviation geeks.

Continue reading: What Are The World’s Best Airline Brands? Here Are My Favorites…

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.


128 Replies
128 Replies
(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

Istanbul is an amazing, dynamic global hub; I’d even argue it’s kind of the center of the world

I'm sorry WHAT... the center of the world is inarguably London, followed by New York. This duo will hold so long as the western hemisphere has a stranglehold on global culture and the economy, which will probably last a couple more decades before all the sociotechnological advancements in China effect an ascendance that will cement Xi as the greatest leader the world has ever seen.


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

I went back and forth about whether to include ANA or JAL

What if these airlines merged and rebranded as ANA.L

Because even their Economy class is so pleasant, their slogan could be, "Have a good time in the back."


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

ANA-dot-L

"Don't let a period get in the way of a good time"


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

and yet, brand value is measurable, and, while some people try to create their own definition, data overwhelmingly shows that Delta has the world's most valuable airline brand which has been the case for 7 years.

How some people that call themselves travel experts manage to manipulate data is hard to understand.


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

Literally everything is measurable -

everything that exists exists in some amount
and anything that exists can be measured

the question is whether it can be measured directly

brand value cannot be measured directly - it is a latent variable - measurement occurs through structural equation models, but there is no objective correctness ("all models are wrong")


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(@austen_j)
Joined: 2 years ago

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Posts: 27

Quick correction: Current image shows JAL A350-1000 business class but it’s labeled as JAL 777 first class.

Qatar Airways marketing is very aggressive and there’s not really the most humane airline to work at. But I mean it’s still not a bad airline to fly on. I personally want to try Singapore airlines, and I’m giving Emirates a try in December! All in economy tho, but still, I’m looking forward to that 🙂


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

*anything that exists in some amount must be measurable (hence "amount")


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

Quick correction: Current image shows JAL A350-1000 business class but it’s labeled as JAL 777 first class.

You have to be a complete nerd to know this

You're right though, Qatar, Singapore, and Emirates are all exceptional airlines


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

I am realizing the rebrand would make more sense as AN.AL


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

and yet brands are part of companies and their value not only can be measured but are.

Turning a metric that can be measured into what someone perceives as "best" with no quantification is disingenuous bias at best.

and, for what it is worth, the US big 4 consistently rank in the top 10 airline brands around the world.
Delta just happens to have consistently ended up not just at the top of the US carrier list but also of brands around the world.

It really doesn't matter whether a brand "does it for me" or not any more than manufacturers set the price for their products based on what a handful of people think a car or dishwasher or diamond ring is worth.


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

why is Air India not a top airline brand, despite the country of India having a population of over 1 billion


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

Your metric is unidimensional and not aligned with what others care about which may be multidimensional. "Best" is subjective in the very literal sense of the word.


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 Ross
(@Ross)
Joined: 11 years ago

Posts: 540

Now include the cabin-crew labor costs for most of these "favorites." Colonialism at 30,000 feet.


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

their pay is low but their countries have social safety nets that idiot Americans refuse to provide.


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 Jack
(@Jack)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 389

While the value of a brand can be measured, Ben is not talking about their value. Ben is talking about his (subjective) favorites.


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 Bbt
(@Bbt)
Joined: 10 months ago

Posts: 1

I have never figured out the infatuation with Air France. I tried them 2 round trips recently because of all the positive reviews. And to be fair they were consistent. But the consistency was in providing poor service coupled with mediocre food, and beverage offerings. Food and beverage situation is even worse in their lounges. Their shower suites make me nostalgic for my hostel hopping days. Heck even American Airlines flagship lounge can run circles around them.

And then there is Turkish airlines. The 2x2x2 hard product is archaic in business class. That itself should disqualify them from being on any top 10 list.

On the other hand, I’m not sure what ANA has to do to get more love.

And not being biased here, but United deserves to be on the top 10 list, the Polaris lounges that they run from6 of their 6 hubs (sorry DEN), the Polaris hard product and the collection of wine they offer on flights is amazing. My last flight with them had to look at the collection of red wines and compare with all the other airlines I’ve traveled in the recent past. And I could not think of even one, not even Singapore Airlines, not EVA, that has better red wine offerings compared to United. One of the wines cost about hundred bucks a bottle. And the other two are not too shabby. So yes, that would be my changes to the Top 10 list. United and ANA


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(@Eskimo)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 6140

I didn't believe Delta "has a cult-like following" until I read the reply to my comments.


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 Jack
(@Jack)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 389

I'm certain your parents are proud of their middle school student.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

and that is precisely the point.

In an industry that serves a couple billion passengers per year, what someone thinks means precisely NOTHING.

Ben or anyone else is free to rank whatever they want based on their own preferences but brand value is measurable.

Trying to argue about what "I" like the most means precisely nothing.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

so you also post under the name Penile?


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(@justindev)
Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 927

I have never flown SQ first class, but have flown its business class several times. While its product is tired, I have never had a bad flight. And it is an instantly recognizable brand.


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 Jack
(@Jack)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 389

Someone says they're going to a Chicago Cubs game. The other says that Atlanta is in the same division. And, Atlanta is the home of Delta Air Lines. And, Delta Air Lines' metrics demonstrate that . . . . Another person says that among all of the colors of roses, they like red the most. The other says that red is a key color in the Delta Air Lines logo. And, Delta Air Line's metrics demonstrate that . . . . /// I see what you mean.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

have another cup of coffee and then explain how someone comes into a conversation with the statement Eskimo made above - when it was the first comment he made to this article.


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(@Fly Fly Fly)
Joined: 10 months ago

Posts: 1

I don't understand how Delta made the list. United is much sexier, flies to better international cities, has better premium seats, and soon will have the best WiFi. Southwest pilots have a much better safety record than Delta. Kick Delta off the list.


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 Jack
(@Jack)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 389

Who cares? It's Ben's blog and he is expressing his opinion. It's no different from going to a cocktail party and saying that he likes what company X has done with its branding . . . and you say what he likes or doesn't like is meaningless and what matters is the measurable value of a brand. Across articles, your comments seem characteristic of a certain personality and I'm not certain that I'd have a drink with you.


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 Jack
(@Jack)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 389

The topic is branding.


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Diamond
(@timtamtrak)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 732

Mighty odd, mighty odd indeed…


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(@bigjinla)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 540

I know you're kind of a troll, but this is funny!


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(@D3kingg)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 1705

Emirates and Qatar by far in terms of marketing and advertising. Turkish Airlines does well. Etihad.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Just to add a bit of fun to the mix ….

10 U.S. Airlines Ranked By The Daily Telegraph.

No: 10. Spirit Airlines.
Tenth place is arguably too high for an airline that makes EasyJet look like Emirates!

No: 9. Frontier Airlines.
Frontier’s slogan – “Low Fares Done Right” – will not fly under any kind of scrutiny, but at least this budget airline does a better job than Spirit.

No: 8. Hawaiian Airlines.
Compared to the Big Four, Hawaiian still has a modest route map, but when it’s flying to paradise, does it really matter?

No: 7. JetBlue Airlines.
It has expanded its “Mint” class premium cabins with lay flat sleeper pods (aka “Apart-mints”) represent seriously good value, particularly on its bargain routes to the East Coast from Gatwick and Heathrow.

No: 6. Delta Airlines. (Note: not Air Lines)
Arguably the most overrated of the Big Four, Delta separates opinion almost as much as it separates the word “airlines”. The Atlanta-based operator frequently ranks highly in terms of reliability and service (with some nice recent touches including free inflight texting) but is often criticised for being too expensive …. (Sorry Tim)

No: 5. Southwest Airlines.
The golden child of budget airlines, Southwest remains America’s largest low-cost carrier, with an impressive 17.3 per cent market share. Exclusively flying Boeing 737 jets.

No: 4. Alaska Airlines.
The Seattle-based carrier has long since outgrown the regional confines of its name, reaching right across the US and deep into Latin America, while building a reputation as the most family-friendly airline in the skies. 

No: 3. American Airlines.
Its reach is mind-boggling, serving 224 domestic airports across 50 states and 350 international destinations in more than 50 countries. 

No: 2. United Airlines.
United flies to more than 225 US cities, operating 4,000 domestic flights a day. It also boasts an outstanding international network, from Greenland to Mongolia, including 75 destinations serviced by no other US airline.

No: 1. JSX.
The model of a semi-private air carrier is ingenious. You book a seat on a 30-seater private jet, flying out of a small hangar in a big hub like New York, Dallas or Los Angeles, checking in 20 minutes prior to departure.  JSX already operates 140 jets a day between 28 destinations, with the business taking off at a velocity that has the big boys seriously worried.

Enjoy …. 🙂


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(@Daniel)
Joined: 5 years ago

Posts: 159

Tim, he literally starts the article saying these are his favorites. Its an i herently subjective article. And there's no issue with that.

You really are just an incessantly annoying person.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Tim, a brilliant response to the infantile Penile plonker …. thank you so much for the grin …. 🙂


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Penile Plonker, over a billion people who live in India are more intelligent than you. They know only too well that population numbers alone does not make a good airline. Wake up Arps and smell the coffee elsewhere …. Yes?


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(@Simon)
Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 123

American Airlines serves 350 international destination in more than 50 countries???

That can't possibly be anything close to being true..... right?


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(@yoloswag420)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 815

Interesting to see no ANA on here.

ANA is, definitionally, the larger of the two Japanese carriers. The ROOM created massive buzz in the community. Flying Honu itself is iconic.

I wonder why you think JAL is more deserving of the two brands.


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(@Parker)
Joined: 1 year ago

Posts: 169

Top-10 lists are nothing if not subjective. For me, there is not a single North American carrier I would place in the top-10. But for me, the top-10 isn’t about who’s best at branding, it’s who has a strong brand and CONSISTENTLY delivers on their brand promise.

And, no matter how many times some people on here will try to shout others down with superfluous data, Delta would not appear in my top-10 list. They may be one of the best in North America, but they can’t hold a candle to the brand of true premium airlines.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Simon, please do not ‘shoot’ this messenger …. I simply cut and pasted the word published in the newspaper.


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 John
(@John)
Joined: 14 years ago

Posts: 224

For airline “branding” — the way they market themselves and consistently incorporate their image into the product — BA, AF, LH, KL, and may DL have got to be at the top of the list. None of these hold a candle, though, to the great US airline branding of the 70s — Pan Am, TWA, Braniff, National. These airlines did an amazing job with their branding.


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(@yoloswag420)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 815

They're not shooting the messenger. They're simply stating that this article is full of BS and no credence should be given to its rankings since it can't even get basic facts straight.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

This messenger is in no position to defend the article, however, a statement from someone who knows better would be most helpful don’t you think 420? …. 🙂


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Diamond
(@proximanova)
Joined: 2 years ago

Member
Posts: 180

Here, it’s important to distinguish between the product and service offered by an airline, and the cohesive brand identity that it projects. Asian airlines like JAL and EVA excel in the former, but perform very poorly in the latter, and vice-versa for Western airlines like Lufthansa, United and Delta. That said, it’s perfectly possible for an airline to excel in both: Air France, EK/EY/QR, CX/SQ, etc.

Rule of thumb: if an Asian airline has a bad IFE selection, it doesn’t invest a whole lot into its branding elements, no matter how great its service may be otherwise.

In general, Northeast Asian airlines — except the stellar Cathay Pacific, one of the best brand identities I’ve seen (thanks to HK’s British influence) — have brands ranging from mediocre (like ANA) to outright horrible (like Mainland Chinese airlines). I must say that EVA Air, in spite of its outstanding product improvements over the last decade, is one of the very worst major global airlines when it comes to branding and corporate identity. The same goes for most Chinese-speaking airlines, and Starlux is only marginally better.

That said, Korean Air has improved its brand by leaps and bounds since the major rebrand in March 2025, and is now on CX’s level. I’m excited to see how KE’s brand evolves in the years to come.


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Diamond
(@proximanova)
Joined: 2 years ago

Member
Posts: 180

Absolutely agree. Western airlines (QF and NZ included) simply get their brand identity right in a way that Northeast Asian airlines, in spite of their far superior service and product, don’t. Look at their advertising campaigns, or social media posts, or even the IFE system and how on-brand it is for an airline. Does Lufthansa get them right? Absolutely. Does EVA Air? No way. Yet BR is a much better airline overall than LH, in spite of its complete unBRandedness.


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Diamond
(@proximanova)
Joined: 2 years ago

Member
Posts: 180

Northeast Asian airline brands and corporate identities (except CX and now KE) are mediocre to begin with, thanks in large part to the language barrier and internal-facing, non-Westernised culture that they have. This reflects in their poor IFE selections — except, again, CX, which knows the value of IFE in a global airline.

That said, I agree that ANA has probably the more consistent brand of the two big Japanese airlines, with the Pokémon brand partnership also playing a role like Hello Kitty does for EVA. Sure, JAL has the edge right now thanks to the A350-1000, but on the whole ANA is ahead in terms of brand identity.

Yes, it’s not as brilliant as CX or timeless as SQ, but the difference between the okayish brand of ANA (or Asiana) and the entirely ‘unBRanded’ EVA is night and day, despite EVA’s rapid ascent in recent years as one of the world’s best airlines.


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Diamond
(@proximanova)
Joined: 2 years ago

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Posts: 180

This is a result of SQ’s consistent marketing and branding efforts over the decades, cementing in people’s minds that SQ is a byword for luxury and graceful elegance. The likes of TG, MH and GA have tried over the years but not reached the heights of SQ, with GA in particular having fallen badly.

And then there is Taiwan. I feel that even a customer-facing brand like EVA Air, in spite of rapidly climbing the luxury airline rankings with its great service, feels like it was designed for the local Chinese-speaking market and not a global audience. The English is terrible, and the airline lacks a cohesive brand. This is in stark contrast to Cathay Pacific across the strait, which was designed with a Western aesthetic first and foremost while also maintaining its Chinese heritage. The results, from a design perspective, are outstanding.


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Diamond
(@proximanova)
Joined: 2 years ago

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Posts: 180

And this is this branding power that keeps EK, in particular, at the forefront of customer perceptions despite a woefully outdated product in J. The same goes for QR, as the halo effect of the Qsuite helps to camouflage the shockingly embarrassing state of the A330s and several 777s. Etihad may not be the Nicole Kidman powerhouse that it was, but it’s recovered brilliantly from the decline it faced around 2018. Even Saudia has become vastly better since its 2023 rebrand, and I can’t wait to see what Riyadh Air does — the bar is high.

TK seems to have grown a bit silent in recent years (remember the Super Bowl ad with Morgan Freeman?) — not to mention it can’t hold a candle to EK/EY/QR or CX/NH/JL/SQ in J. However, its recent ad, released in July 2024 to promote its new Crystal J product, was pure genius and left many a chuckle.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

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Posts: 1224

I have nothing against KE, but to say their brand is better than JAL? I think even the most ardent United supporters would agree that ANA has a branding issue in North America.
But I'm not sure what planet or reality you're living in if you think KE's brand is in this premium place alongside CX, especially comparing JL and KE. JAL is easier the more premium and well-thought of brand between the two. It wasn't that long ago the KE owner's daughter was yelling at flight attendants over her nut tray presentation.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

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Posts: 1224

https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/about-us/american-airlines-group.jsp

The wonders of google. But you're right, Simon. It's more than 60 countries 😉


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 BZ
(@BZ)
Joined: 1 year ago

Posts: 149

Most of these airlines also thankfully have the common sense not to fly to the evil genocidal entity of “Israel”


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Max …. “Together with our American Eagle regional partners” …. (Cut from your AA link) Could it be that The Telegraph figures are credible as they are specifically referring to American Airlines only …. yes?


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

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Posts: 1224

or. Western airlines are targeting you as a consumer and the NE Asian brands are targeting their customers... in Northeast Asia...


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

Aero
Every US airline counts their destinations and countries off their mainline and regional network.
So. no.


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

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Posts: 672

You put the hideous, repulsive Delta on the list. That immediately invalidates it.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

again, playing w/ words to twist something that is measurable (brand value) into something that is subjective means precisely nothing.

We all have an opinion. sorry if you can't understand the difference between fact and opinion or allow someone to note the difference.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

and yet ANA does show up on the top ten list of global airlines in brand value, simply highlighting again how much some people's opinions are disconnected from facts.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

no, it just means that another homeless person sleeping at ORD has connected to the internet


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Diamond
(@uldguy)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 601

Hi Ben,

Interesting comments on why Delta is on the list. You’re right in that they’ve done a great job convincing people that they’re way, way, above the competition. But it’s just like Southwest doing a very job job convincing the traveling public that they’re the low fare leader. In reality, Delta isn’t really way, way above the competition, and Southwest is nowhere’s near being the low fare carrier. The truth is both are not really all that great vis-à-vis another else.


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Diamond
(@uldguy)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 601

Really Tim? Was your comment really that necessary?


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

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Posts: 672

Istanbul was the center of the world (a good portion of the world, anyway) from 330, when Constantine took a sleepy fishing village called Byzantium and turned it into the capital of the Roman Empire, to 1453, when the city fell to the Turks. That's one heck of a run. Today, yes, London and Noo Yawk are the only A++ World Cities, but Istanbul is an A city, a great place to be since it's tied with Chicago, the greatest city in the world. So don't underrate it.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Playing the devils advocate game …. you Max, appear to be counting apples and pears and calling it fruit because that is the American way. However, the DT could have been counting just apples and calling them apples, because that is a much more accurate way to describe the number of APPLES, yes?


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Playing the devils advocate game …. you Max, appear to be counting apples and pears and calling it fruit because that is the American way. However, the DT could have been counting just apples and calling them apples, because that is a much more accurate way to describe the number of APPLES, yes?


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

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Posts: 672

No, Timbits, I have a home (less than a half hour from ORD) and I have a six-figure income. As for the homeless, they've done a good job clearing them out of the tunnel over the past couple of years. The saddest part about Atlanta is that Sherman didn't finish the job properly.


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Diamond
(@proximanova)
Joined: 2 years ago

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Posts: 180

What I mean is that KE’s branding elements like its website, physical signage and advertising now show a cohesive and uniform identity — the same way that CX flawlessly does — which I can’t really say is the case for NH or JL, much less BR or JX. Honestly, KE was really very poor in terms of its brand identity (and, for me at least, outdated livery) until the big rebrand in March. Have a look at this brand website to see what I mean. https://new.koreanair.com/

That said, there is no doubt at all that the two Japanese airlines (plus CX and the TW3) have a far better reputation, product and service than KE or OZ at the moment. Not to mention, KE’s ICN lounges are simply hideous, which it’s promised to address in the coming years, as it catches up with its Asian rivals.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

I would have had no reason to say what I said if the person above didn't make the comment they did.

And as much as they want to tell you otherwise, the username has never made sense.
If they are flying a reputable airline, they spend time on their planes, not at the airport.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

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Posts: 7465

again, if it is opinion, then everyone gets one and it is no surprise if 1000 people have 10,000 ways they would rank ten airlines.

There really is a meaningful metric that measures brand value - and DL unquestionably is at the top of the list and every airline CEO in the world that wants to talk about the value of brand knows that.

I'm really not sure what the point of having a discussion about anyone's opinion.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

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Posts: 1224

Believe what you want. You asked and where else do you think The DT was getting their destination count? Many of those 350 are on AA regional only.


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 LMCK
(@LMCK)
Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 28

Bangkok airways, USM Airport .. like a resort, the airlines brand is Samui. Yes there fairs are higher than the competition, but look at what u get.
Full meal service on a 45 minute flight!


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Over the past two years I have experienced six of Ben’s chosen airlines and can fully understand his liking for them.
I have no experience of Delta, nor wish to have, therefore, I have no further comment to make.
Likewise, the prospect of me now flying JAL is unlikely.
That only leaves Air France. My last AF flight was last century and comprised of a most underwhelming Concorde flight. Early next year however we are booked upon an AF flight to SIN. One is ever hopeful that the New La Premiere suite proves to be as fantastic as it looks.

I smile as I imagine that the website pedants are counting upon their fingers and concluded that six plus three only add up to nine.

Being pedantic, I deliberately omitted VS. The Virgin Group airlines, VS, VA, OSW and the now defunct VK, have over the years left me with mixed feelings of the brand. Today, I would probably not consider VS, but I wouldn’t discount it completely if the destination, schedule and cost worked out satisfactorily.

I smile once again as I consider BA to be equally as worthy of inclusion upon Ben’s list as EVA, VS and most definitely DL.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Donkey!
🙂


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Chicago …. really?

You are in grave danger of losing credibility ORD …. 🙂


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(@99 Luft Stanzas)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 111

I'm shocked Air India isn't on your list - I'm certain you'll update this post to include them after your upcoming flight (after cleaning off the peepee and bedbugs, of course)


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(@yoloswag420)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 815

I really don't think that JAL's A350-1000 is that significant of a brand lift. Most average consumers don't know about plane types and the meaningful differences outside of widebodies and narrowbodies.

The A380 is really the only one that sets itself apart due to its unique size and nature.

If you asked an average flyer if they were on a 787, 777, A330 or whatever, I doubt they could tell you.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

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Posts: 1224

@ULD
you expect civility from ORD or Tim? They're the same person, different obsessions.


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(@Ethan)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 84

I have 4 that are my favorite.
Air New Zealand
Qantas
Fiji Airways
Singapore Airlines


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 Bbt
(@Bbt)
Joined: 10 months ago

Posts: 1

You are closeted racist. No one is even mentioning Air India.


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(@Scooter)
Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 70

Tim might be the single worst advocate for the Delta brand - his obnoxious posts make me root for them to struggle, which sucks because I truly enjoy their product and the competition they bring to my hub airports. Would love to see this list include historical products too (PanAm 747, old school BA Concorde, United Battleship Grey 747-400) in a future list of iconic airline branding.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

you are delusional if you think that social media matters for anything.

what you and a whole lot of people can't understand is that brands are either a personal preference or they have quantitative value.

If they are the former, who honestly cares what anyone thinks? We all have opinions.

If it is the latter, Delta's brand is well-documented as the most valuable in the airline industry.

I didn't have anything to do with building that brand and I certainly don't have anything to do with destroying it.

If you think the world revolves around social media, including OMAAT, I suggest you get out and enjoy real life.


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(@PENILE)
Joined: 12 months ago

Posts: 159

I suggest you get out and enjoy real life.

Ho
Lee
Fuk

and Bang Ding Ow.


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(@Mason)
Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 452

Proximanova calls anything from Japan 'mediocre'.

This is like Tim Dunn calling KE a mediocre airline.
What happened to you, did a Japanese woman reject your proposal?

Just use your own wisdom and "visualise yourself marrying a Japanese baddie or something of that kind! ;)"


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(@Crosscourt)
Joined: 8 years ago

Posts: 418

No such list can be given credibility by including any North American carrier, delta included. What a joke!
To the person who commented about Cathay being more international than the Taiwan trio which is more Chinese (I'm paraphrasing) is because of HKG's history; being administered by a western nation till 1997 and CX was prominent throughout that period.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

notable that you suggest the most valuable post of the day.

Seriously, take a deep breath. Off the internet.


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 Mike
(@Mike)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 283

I would probably agree that emirates has built an exceptional brand but it is far from being an exceptional airline. If you take the halo effect (Ben puts a picture of airline seats for most airline and a shower for EK?) and there is no avoiding the fact that the emirates business class hard product is very underwhelming, especially in their 777.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

"I suggest you get out and enjoy real life."

great words to use for yourself, Tim.

what a loser and the complete lack of self awareness to say that to others.


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 AK
(@AK)
Joined: 7 years ago

Posts: 34

Japan
Cathay
TAP
La Compagnie ( I know it's niche but I love it)
Virgin Atlantic (even premium econ is great)

If forced to choose best US experience it used to be Jetblue Mint...at the moment I would choose Alaska. I would love if Jetblue makes a comeback but they are sucking it right now.


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(@idontgetit)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 7

I don’t get the love affair with Air France at all. We’ve flown AF business class several times. The crew does what they need to but always conveying the sense that they would much rather be doing something else that doesn’t involve service. Contrast that with their partner KLM, whose crews are truly friendly and helpful. It’s night and day. Going to the hard product, AF cabins have all the warmth and charm of the inside of my refrigerator. Now, maybe if money is no object and you’re in First you have a different experience but it’s not as though business class fare is cheap.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

I'm enjoying multiview of four college football games while grilling salmon and roasting potatoes after a full day but thanks for the concern.

It's touching coming from you, mini


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(@Firenze1)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 7

Kinda off point


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

Member
Posts: 672

Then let me put it in a way that someone like you who rides the short bus can understand: Delta is disgusting and evil. You are disgusting and evil. A good portion of my hatred for Delta can be traced directly to you. I therefore love taking a shot at Delta when I can because it hurts you, Timbits. And, no, you don't live rent-free in my head. I'm just a sadist who sees opportunity.


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(@Henry Young)
Joined: 10 years ago

Posts: 150

Amusing that you throw in a token US airline. You clearly know the whole lot are no-shows on the global stage. Move East young man !!!


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

Member
Posts: 672

Chicago is the greatest city in the world because it produced me, Timbits Alias.


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(@John Doe)
Joined: 5 years ago

Posts: 15

Unfortunately Qatar has changed their boarding music, and the new one lacks the gravitas and charm of the old one


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 1990
(@1990)
Joined: 11 months ago

Posts: 4844

Good list, except Turkish, eww. I’d add South Africa’s Airlink. 10/10.


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 1990
(@1990)
Joined: 11 months ago

Posts: 4844

For real? Is it still by Dana Al Fardan? Ben, nice posts in the past about eclectic topics such as this.


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 DC
(@DC)
Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 48

Let's move this more polite

Are you doing the cedar plank thing? What are you seasoning the salmon with? What's your wine pairing?


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(@Joshua K.)
Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 46

I don't understand the concept behind this article. Shouldn't the best airline brands belong to the best airlines? What is the distinction between the two concepts?

And why is Delta on a list of the top airline brands when you write that you don't love their branding? I mean, some people love Delta and its branding, but why would someone who doesn't love it put it on the world's top 10 airline brands?


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 John
(@John)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 1034

I was nodding my head in agreement. Until I saw Delta.
Clearly Ben has a sardonic sense of humour. Because no credible list could possibly contain Delta, or any other U.S. carrier for that matter.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

It does defy explanation, doesn't it?


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

an Asian style marinade.

it was delicious.


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Diamond
(@azamaraal)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 729

Filet Mignon on china and classic Bordeaux at 35,000 in the Queen in upper deck economy class? How could that possibly be topped? Wardair in the 70's and 80's! CP Air business came close.

Back when you could use Alaska points on Cathay it came very close - especially the lounges in HK - but it was still Business or First pricing.

Emirates in First is a good ride and NYC, MXN, DXB lounges are excellent. But 16 hours in Y DXB-DFW is brutal.

Qatar is ok with weird food and Jump the Stump Shiraz. Customer service? They STILL haven't refunded the denied boarding SCREWUP FARE.


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Diamond
(@azamaraal)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 729

Aah Bangkock Burgers on the way to Hua Hin. Short Skybus seating. Memories!


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Diamond
(@azamaraal)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 729

Drop them off in Gaza where the real genocide murderers live.


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(@WestCoastFlyer)
Joined: 8 years ago

Posts: 216

Completely agree. TWA had an incredible branding, as did National. I love National's "Fly Me" ad campaign - although sexist, it was good!


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(@WestCoastFlyer)
Joined: 8 years ago

Posts: 216

I can't believe USAirways did not make the list. Incredible advertising, brand and loyal following.

NOT.


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 Ian
(@Ian)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 19

Regarding the best brands, Delta is simply not in the same league as the other airlines mentioned in the article.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

They aren't. But It's about branding. And I'm happy to say Delta has a branding they don't deserve. It just requires a basic level of airline knowledge to know how awful Delta is to be loyal to but they constantly pull people in to an awful loyalty program with awful partners and subpar international product
On seats. On wifi. you name it.

but they do have a brand that people believe in despite their awful product.
Hell, Delta STILL doesn't have high speed wifi on their mainline fleet yet their fan club seems to think gogo is a think of the past. The 717 says -- yep. it's not.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

Yet here you are replying (so soon after me... does your wife know how much you reply to other men?). Let's keep in mind your own advice, Timmy

"I suggest you get out and enjoy real life."

Your real life seems to be cooking while keeping your comment section open, Tim. Get a life, loser.


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(@Eskimo)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 6140

@Timmy

You are the one who defies explanation.

You're living proof that brands can brainwash people just like other propagandas.


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(@Eskimo)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 6140

I wonder what kinky words you use so much that your auto correct spelled Bangkock or changing Airways into Burger on the way?


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

ORD …. please be advised that you are in grave danger of becoming just another Penile plonker like the now defunct Arps. Surely “Chicago” did not “Make you”, hopefully it was your mother and father, if you know who they are? …. 🙂


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

Delta has free high speed WiFi on more aircraft in more of the world worldwide than any other worldwide but you can't accept that, Max, so you nitpick on the 5% that doesn't have it.

so, very mini of you.

you have never amounted to much in life so it makes perfect sense that you play the resistance role in to Delta which has achieved more as a company than you will ever hope to achieve.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Crosscourt, yes, Ben was joking when he threw Delta into the mix. The inclusion of Delta was intended to be provocative. To entice the brainwashed from North America to bicker amongst themselves thus adding website clicks.
It worked …. 🙂


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

…. and you Eskimo, are proof that trolls proliferate on this website.
Tim, is living in your brain cell, just as I live in the one belonging to the troll plain Jane …. 🙂

Ben must luv you and your kind for increasing his website clicks.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

1990, Airlink …. seriously? Bad joke, old bean.

Turkish will blow Airlink out of the water on any day of the week don’t you know!


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(@The nice Paul)
Joined: 10 years ago

Posts: 1218

“Literally everything is measurable”

Really?

I’d suggest some of the most important things in life are not measurable. How much love do I have for my partner? How “valuable” is my relationship with my oldest friend?

Companies produce hard numbers which give what is usually a completely spurious sense of accuracy: but most of those “hard” numbers are based on a chain of assumptions that could just as rationally be tweaked and changed, to produce completely different numbers.

My first boss’s mantra about company “profits” shown in the annnual accounts was that “cash is a fact; everything else is an opinion”. For a sharp case study, have a look at the history of Enron.

As to Ben’s list, Brand 101 is the fundamental importance of consistency. That’s what a brand if supposed to communicate: it’s something that reassures the prospective purchaser exactly what they are buying. The fact that Emirates’ brand is all glitter and in-air showers versus the majority reality of *really* crappy business class seating shows that they fail dismally at branding.

Unless by “branding” you really mean “deceiving the customer out of their money and delivering nothing but disappointment, which means the customer will never trust their brand again”.

Over-promising but under-delivering is not a good long-term brand strategy.


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(@Eskimo)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 6140

ROFL Tim.

It's like I can see the future.
This was a bait for you. And you didn't disappoint at all.

Surprisingly not only did I caught you, I even caught your British alter ego and some strange Cubs fan along.


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(@Parker)
Joined: 1 year ago

Posts: 169

@Tim Dunn you are right that brand value scores are the yardstick, if they are asking the right questions. I just finished a project where the #1 health system in a market for brand of a certain service didn’t even offer that service. Garage In, Garbage Out.

As for Delta, their brand is in trouble with people who KNOW premium. For example, just flew FLL-JFK-BCN and then LIS-JFK-FLL. While the pursars on my TATL flights were great, their colleagues were marginal. The meals across the pond were the exact same in each direction out of different cities. That is most certainly not premium and worthy of a top-10 designation…in my opinion.


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(@Anthony)
Joined: 9 years ago

Posts: 388

Branding smanding not, is it not how the airline behaves, how it services its customers, how it does not cheat its customers, when there are legitimate problems they handle it properly, and how good it treats its customers versus others.

These days we no longer have a favorite airline. We have many flights over years. It seems just a matter of a good crew, from the ground up to the onboard.

My 10 favorite airline brands in the world
Qatar Airways - don't fly to the middle east
Singapore Airlines - likes to give seats without a window without telling you when booking
Emirates Airline - don't fly to the middle east
Cathay Pacific - was No.1 when I flew it 6 times a year Hong Kong to New York, and 2 flights to Italy. Lufthansa and United lost me.
Air France - never
Turkish Airlines - ok but rough treatment on board
EVA Air - one from Taiwan to Vietnam, it was actually fun
Japan Airlines - usually too much more expensive than others, so not
Virgin Atlantic - one time and last London to Japan

Delta Air Lines* - Ouch. United - ouch. American - ouch.

Liked Continental before the merger.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

Delta has no wifi whatsoever on their entire TPAC network. Purposefully puts mainline planes into service with zero wifi and, apparently, can't figure out the 717 wifi issues.

" you have never amounted to much in life"

lol. Thanks for the laugh, loser. You were out late


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

Weird how you and Aero were both posting at the same time responding to people....


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

that is factually incorrect, Max.
DL does have paid WiFi on some of its A350s which is its almost exclusive aircraft over the Pacific. I have used it.

DL's coverage maps are based on free high speed WiFi which has not been rolled out to most of Asia.

But, as is typical for you, you lie and manipulate about the 10% because you are incapable of admitting the 90%.

The loser is you, Max. Doesn't matter what hour of the day or not.

as for the 717s, DL has successfully operated Hughes WiFi on a 717 prototype but there are discussions with Boeing about potentially accelerating retirement of the fleet with a larger 737 order.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Hi Max, greetings from ‘the shires’ on a very cool 15°C, wet Sunday. One expects that Tim, might well be posting from warmer clim’s sometime soon.
You have a nice day now and keep on speculating …. 🙂


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Diamond
(@uncleronnie)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1221

Delta gets its brand loyalty primarily from its credit card partnership. Therefore the most valuable airline (industry) brand in USA is AMEX. Hands down.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Eskimo …. you are so slow sunshine that you couldn’t even catch a cold! …. Thanks for continuing to provide light entertainment for the website ’legs’ they obviously appreciate a ‘hat’ …. 🙂


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

Member
Posts: 672

GoGo is high speed compared to the Pony Express.


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Diamond
(@maxpower)
Joined: 3 years ago

Member
Posts: 1224

it's factually correct. The international wifi map is based off their current coverage, not free internet.
Enjoy your day. You're always good for a laugh. God knows why you're so obsessed with me but given your posts at 1am, you were probably drunk, as usual.


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

Member
Posts: 672

Mint is Shint. Overhyped domestic First designed to appeal to Noo Yawk Yankers and Massholes.


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Diamond
(@tim-dunn)
Joined: 5 years ago

Member
Posts: 7465

Someone that is wetted to a conspiracy theory that the same person is using a VPN to create identities on two sides of the Atlantic so they can post under two different usernames is certainly not capable of understanding that Delta does not market having Wi-Fi over the Pacific because not all planes Are equipped for it. They will turn on free Wi-Fi when enough planes are equipped, but that has not happened. The planes that are equipped do have paid Wi-Fi available.
Once again, you argue about things you don’t know when in fact, it is easily verifiable that Delta has over 900 mainline aircraft that do have free high-speed Wi-Fi to every other continent except Asia


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(@ord_is_my_second_home)
Joined: 4 years ago

Member
Posts: 672

Look, you f'n prick, I was adopted at birth. I didn't know who my birth mother was until I was 50. I didn't know who my birth father was until I was 53. You think you're making a witticism. Well, right now, I want you dead by my hands. It's war with you, b1tch.


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(@AeroB13a)
Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 3830

Ooooo! What fun you are ORD. Fighting talk to boot ….

You really have allowed yourself to be wound up tighter than a Turkish wrestlers jock-strap and made yourself very vulnerable too old bean. Do be careful what you wish for, many men have tried in vain to slot me. I’m still here, they are not.

How was one to know about your family background? Had you been sensible and kept quiet then nobody would have been any the wiser. Had I guessed that was your actual situation, then I would never have been so insensitive. I apologise for my ignorance of your situation.

That said, I will always look forward to our verbal exchanges ORD. Some valuable advice …. don’t get mad, get even …. if you dare? …. Your true character will now be judged by your response, or, lack of it as you see fit.


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