Flying to Asia: Best Airlines for Long-Haul Journeys
Traveling to Asia from regions like North America, Europe, or Australia requires long-haul flights that can last over 10 hours. Choosing the right airline can significantly impact your experience, from comfort and entertainment to food and overall service. This guide explores the best airlines for long-haul flights to Asia, focusing on comfort, service, inflight entertainment, food, and overall travel experience.
1. What Makes a Great Long-Haul Airline?
Before we dive into the best airlines, let's look at the key factors that make an airline great for long-haul journeys:
A. Seat Comfort & Cabin Layout
- Economy Class: Look for airlines with extra legroom and ergonomic seats.
- Premium Economy: Wider seats, more recline, and priority services.
- Business & First Class: Lie-flat seats, privacy, and premium services.
B. Inflight Entertainment & Wi-Fi
- Large screens with hundreds of movies, TV shows, and games.
- Live TV and Wi-Fi to stay connected.
- Noise-canceling headphones for a better experience.
C. Food & Beverage Options
- Diverse meal options, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kosher meals.
- Free alcohol and premium dining in business/first class.
D. Service Quality & Hospitality
- Friendly and attentive cabin crew make a big difference.
- Multilingual staff to assist passengers from different regions.
E. Safety & On-Time Performance
- Airlines with a strong safety record and reliable schedules.
2. Best Airlines for Long-Haul Flights to Asia
Now, let's look at the top airlines that excel in these categories.
1. Singapore Airlines – ⭐ Best Overall Airline for Asia
Why Choose Singapore Airlines?
✔️ Luxurious service in all classes.
✔️ Top-rated economy class with extra legroom.
✔️ World-class business & first-class cabins.
✔️ Excellent food and entertainment options.
Cabin Experience:
- Economy Class: Comfortable seats with 32 inches of pitch and well-designed footrests.
- Premium Economy: Wider seats, footrests, and enhanced meal options.
- Business Class: Lie-flat seats, gourmet dining, and excellent service.
- First Class Suites: Private rooms with beds and fine dining.
Best Routes to Asia:
- USA: Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN)
- Europe: London (LHR) – Singapore (SIN)
- Australia: Sydney (SYD) – Singapore (SIN)
2. Qatar Airways – ⭐ Best for Comfort & Service
Why Choose Qatar Airways?
✔️ Spacious economy seats.
✔️ Qsuite – the best business class product in the world.
✔️ Award-winning hospitality.
Cabin Experience:
- Economy Class: 32 inches of legroom, comfortable headrests.
- Business Class (Qsuite): Private suite with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, and gourmet meals.
- First Class: More space and premium dining options.
Best Routes to Asia:
- USA: New York (JFK) – Doha (DOH) – Bangkok (BKK)
- Europe: Paris (CDG) – Doha (DOH) – Tokyo (HND)
- Australia: Melbourne (MEL) – Doha (DOH) – Manila (MNL)
3. Emirates – ⭐ Best for Entertainment & Luxury
Why Choose Emirates?
✔️ Largest entertainment library in the sky.
✔️ Luxury cabins in business and first class.
✔️ Great food and onboard bars.
Cabin Experience:
- Economy Class: Comfortable with large TV screens and 3,500+ movies.
- Premium Economy: More space and upgraded dining.
- Business Class: Lie-flat seats and lounge access.
- First Class: Private suites with shower spas on A380 flights.
Best Routes to Asia:
- USA: San Francisco (SFO) – Dubai (DXB) – Hong Kong (HKG)
- Europe: Frankfurt (FRA) – Dubai (DXB) – Seoul (ICN)
- Australia: Sydney (SYD) – Dubai (DXB) – Mumbai (BOM)
4. ANA (All Nippon Airways) – ⭐ Best for Japan Travel
Why Choose ANA?
✔️ Best airline for flying to Japan.
✔️ Comfortable seats in all classes.
✔️ Excellent food and service.
Cabin Experience:
- Economy Class: Extra legroom and high-quality Japanese meals.
- Premium Economy: Priority check-in, wider seats.
- Business Class: The Room – one of the best business-class seats in the world.
- First Class: Private suites and Michelin-starred dining.
Best Routes to Asia:
- USA: Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo (HND/NRT)
- Europe: London (LHR) – Tokyo (HND)
- Australia: Sydney (SYD) – Tokyo (NRT)
5. Cathay Pacific – ⭐ Best for China & Hong Kong Travel
Why Choose Cathay Pacific?
✔️ Excellent food and inflight service.
✔️ Spacious seats with good recline.
✔️ Great connectivity to China & Southeast Asia.
Cabin Experience:
- Economy Class: More legroom than most competitors.
- Premium Economy: Wider seats, extra legroom, and better dining.
- Business Class: Lie-flat seats and priority boarding.
- First Class: Luxury bedding and Michelin-starred meals.
Best Routes to Asia:
- USA: New York (JFK) – Hong Kong (HKG)
- Europe: London (LHR) – Hong Kong (HKG)
- Australia: Melbourne (MEL) – Hong Kong (HKG)
3. Budget-Friendly Airlines for Long-Haul Asia Travel
If you're looking for more affordable options, consider these airlines:
1. EVA Air – Best budget premium service
- Affordable premium economy seats with great service.
- Comfortable long-haul flights to Taiwan and Asia.
2. Japan Airlines (JAL) – Best for economy comfort
- Great economy class legroom and Japanese hospitality.
- Good for budget-conscious travelers to Japan.
3. Turkish Airlines – Best for stopovers
- Free hotel stays in Istanbul for long layovers.
- Affordable fares to major Asian cities.
4. Etihad Airways – Best for transit convenience
- Competitive fares with a stop in Abu Dhabi.
- Great business class at lower prices than Emirates/Qatar.
4. Tips for Booking the Best Long-Haul Flight to Asia
Here are some tips to help you get the best experience when flying long-haul to Asia:
✅ Book early – Flights fill up quickly, especially on premium airlines.
✅ Use points & miles – Consider airline rewards programs for upgrades.
✅ Check seat maps – Websites like SeatGuru help you find the best seats.
✅ Look for layovers wisely – Some airlines offer free stopovers in cities like Dubai or Istanbul.
Conclusion: Which Airline is Best for You?
- If you want the best overall experience → Singapore Airlines
- If you want the best business class → Qatar Airways
- If you want the best entertainment → Emirates
- If you are flying to Japan → ANA or JAL
- If you want the best budget-friendly option → EVA Air or Turkish Airlines
Choosing the right airline will make your long-haul flight to Asia comfortable, enjoyable, and stress-free. Safe travels!
