“Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign. We are now crossing a zone of turbulence. Please return your seats, make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright position. Please fasten your seat belts as we prepare to review the 13 most dangerous airports in the world.”

The 13 Most Dangerous Airports In The World

1.  Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Nepal

This airport, also known as Lukla Airport, is situated over 9,000 feet above sea level on the edge of a 2,000-foot high cliff. It has a runway of only 1,729 feet when most airports commonly have between 7,000 to 10,000 feet in length. The weather here is very unpredictable.  

Sudden fog or snow is common. This airport has a history of crashes. Captains need special training and certification to use this airport. 

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The Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Martin

This airport is located next to a beach. Planes fly low enough to blast sunbathers with sand and wind when they arrive. Signs warn people that they could be knocked down and injured. The runway runs between the beach and the mountains and is less than 2,165 meters long. Indeed, a woman died from head injuries when she was knocked down while standing by the fence there in 2017.

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Paro International Airport, Bhutan

As this goes to press, only 17 pilots are permitted to land only at this airport in the Himalayas, almost 2,244 meters above sea level. Its runway is less than 1,982 meters. Arrivals and departures are not permitted at night. Even then only the 17 pilots can keep a plane’s nose from touching the mountains. They must fly at a 45-degree angle to avoid hitting the cliff-top homes and successfully land.

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Madeira Airport, Portugal

The significantly short airstrip at this Portuguese airport, also known as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, is located between the ocean and cliffs. It’s extended with a total of 180 columns in the water in order to make it safer for aircraft to land. The Atlantic winds are the cause of turbulent landings which is why only a few pilots are permitted to land here.

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Gibraltar International Airport, Gibraltar

Experts confirm that pilots attempting to land here are literally flying “towards a monolith.” The airport’s runway is situated between a city and a rock and ends rather “abruptly” with the ocean on both sides. This means pilots have to hit the brakes the second the craft touches down. Plus, the runway reportedly runs right through a very busy road, thus the street reportedly must be “closed off” whenever a plane takes off or lands.

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Courchevel Altiport, France

The Courchevel Altiport is located 1,981 meters above sea level. Here pilots must navigate such obstacles as valleys and mountains. This specialized airport here is less than 519 meters and is very steep too. It has a significant downward gradient of almost 19 percent that makes take-offs rather nerve-wracking. Flying during bad weather is also made dangerous her because unlike other airports, this one does not have the usual lighting.

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St. Helena Airport, St. Helena

After the airport opened in 2015, authorities learned that the wind shears created too much turbulence to land planes there. Ocean winds hit the cliffs upon which the airport is located. It was now the “world’s most useless airport.”  Today only specially-trained pilots can land there and flights to the isle famous for whale sharks and trails are still rather rough.

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Toncontín International Airport, Honduras

There have been a number of crashes here at this airport amidst the mountains. Here pilots must negotiate a 45-degree turn moments before touching down in the valley and steer through local neighborhoods to boot. Furthermore, if a pilot overshoots the 2,133-meter-long tabletop runway it could result in a fatal crash.

That’s why a new airport in the Comayagua Valley, opened just last month, will be replacing this one. Indeed, the modern Palmerola International Airport features better facilities and a significantly longer as well.

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Congonhas Airport, Brazil

The runways of this airport in Sao Paulo are infamously short. Experts report the approach is “tricky” and the conditions are generally “slippery.” Plus, pilots must land very close to a city in the middle of rows and rows and rows of rooftops. A plane actually overshot the airport runway in 2007 and hit a warehouse and petrol pump. The crash killed187 people onboard and a dozen people on the ground as well.

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Barra International Airport, Scotland

This airport, also known as Barra Eollgary Airport, is located at the northern tip of the well-known Barra island in the beautiful bay of Traigh Mhòr. Not only does this dangerous airport have a short runway, but some also say it is “the only airport in the world” to use an actual beach as a runway. 

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Agatti Aerodrome, India

The Agatti Aerodrome can be found in the striking union territory of Lakshadweep, situated on Agatti Island’s southern end. In English, the Malayalam word Lakshadweep means “one lakh islands.” This is the only airport that serves all 36 tourist islands and is little more than a strip of earth in the sparkling blue water. It is less than 1220 meters in length.

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Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand

This is one of but two international airports serving Bangkok. Once named the Bangkok International Airport, this airport is nestled between a pair of popular golf courses. Naturally, landing and even taking off from this airport can be very dangerous for both those on the golf courses there.  

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Wellington International Airport, New Zealand

The Wellington International Airport can be found on the isthmus of Rongotai in the suburb of Wellington, the capital city of the island nation of New Zealand. Once named the Rongotai Airport, it is approximately 5.5 kilometers southeast of the heart of the city. Its runway is under 1,936 meters long and it appears to begin and end in the ocean. Thus, the pilot has to know the exact places to take off and land in order to avoid the water.

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Has the coronavirus got you rethinking your travel plans? We don’t blame you. Still, if you need to get away for a while then it is a good idea to learn all you need to know about the coronavirus.

December 2019

It was December 2019 in Wuhan, China when the world learned of people becoming infected with a new strain of the coronavirus . The new strain, called COVID-19 would also soon be known as 2019-nCoV, the coronavirus disease 2019, the novel coronavirus, and the Wuhan coronavirus.

Since the first incidence of infection, this new virus has spread beyond borders and across oceans. It has also drastically impacted international travel plans as entire cities have been put under quarantine and even borders have been closed.

General Terms

In general terms, coronaviruses concern a specific family of viruses. This family impacts birds, humans, and non-human mammals. Transmission occurs between species.

General Symptoms

The symptoms reportedly vary per species. Human beings typically develop some type of respiratory illness from a coronavirus.

Infamous Coronaviruses

If anything you have seen on the news or social media gives you the feeling of deja vu, you are not alone. Anyone who wasn’t born yesterday has already seen or heard about coronaviruses in the recent past. You may recall MERS (the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak) and the equally well-known SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

Both of these coronaviruses have had historically significant outbreaks in the past two decades. COVID-19 is a more recently discovered coronavirus. The first reported human infections were reported two months ago in Wuhan, China.

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The WHO

The World Health Organization (the WHO) officially designated the COVID-19 outbreak as “a global health emergency” on January 30, of this year.

Keep Yourself Current

The current global coronavirus situation is changing rapidly. If you choose to travel you should check with the CDC (Centers for Disease Prevention) and the previously-mentioned World Health Organization for the latest developments.

The Spread Of The COVID-19

COVID-19 is presently believed to have originated in the city of Wuhan in China. It has since gone on to infect people across the globe. Mainland China remains the epicenter of the virulent virus, with almost 77,000 confirmed cases as this goes to press.

Indeed, some sources suggest that Chinese officials have not been providing accurate data. Only last month they upped the count by close to 800 cases in one day. Over 30 other countries and territories have somewhere between one and 218 confirmed cases.

The list includes Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam. As this is being written, almost 1,400 people have died from COVID-19, mainly in China.

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 has three main symptoms. They are cough, fever and noticeable shortness of breath. Some speculate that one reason why the numbers seem to fluctuate so quickly is due in part to the fact that a number of the additional symptoms are comparatively mild and some individuals infected with the virus may not display any indication of being ill at all.

In extreme cases, which usually happens in individuals who have immune systems that are weakened, like the elderly or ill, a respiratory infection can be followed by organ failure, pneumonia, or even death. COVID-19 is presently said to be spread from one human to another via close contact. There is an incubation period that reportedly ranges from two days to two weeks. At present, there is no antiviral treatment, vaccine, or cure.

Individuals infected with the coronavirus but are free of any underlying complications will probably recover assuming they get plenty of rest and fluids. Should you believe that you have any signs of respiratory illness, remain at home, be sure to always cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, wash your hands often, and be sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize all frequently-touched surfaces. Most importantly, be sure to see your personal physician if you have recently been to China and are showing any of the previously-mentioned symptoms.

Protecting Yourself From The Coronavirus

You may have already seen travelers wearing masks. Unfortunately, masks are not guaranteed to prevent anyone from contracting the coronavirus. Masks should definitely be worn by anyone who is sneezing and coughing.

However, because they might help prevent the spread of any sickness from a common cold to COVID-19. If you are healthy but are in frequent direct contact with anyone infected, you should wear a mask. Washing your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water is said to be critical in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

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Travel Advisories

The US Department of State issued an official Level 4 travel advisory for China on February 2, 2020. Officials advise all US citizens to avoid traveling to China because of COVID-19. Since then American, Delta, and United Airlines have canceled every flight between the U.S.A. and China through March 27th, April 30th, and March 28th, respectively.

All United States citizens who’ve flown to the Hubei province in China are now subject to quarantine for as long as two weeks upon returning to the US. US citizens who have flown anywhere else in China are presently subjected to health screening where they enter the US. They may be monitored for as long as 14 days. Additionally, any foreign national traveling to America from China may even be denied entry to the US.

Suggested Precautions

If you still have trips booked to China in the near future or even layovers in any airport in China, think about changing your plans. You should also know that numerous airlines are currently offering passengers waivers for their change fees. As this goes to press, frequent flyers should know that it remains relatively safe to travel to other locations including nations with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Simply be sure to take every precaution to protect your health.

Stay positive . . .

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AirlineRatings.com recently announced their choices for 20 Top Airlines in the World for 2020. This list is only a part of the product and safety rating website’s yearly Airline Excellence Awards, which also features winners in 13 different categories and “the best overall.” To be eligible for nomination an airline must “demonstrate leadership in innovation for passenger comfort” and garner a seven-star safety rating.

The airlines in question must also demonstrate consistency in staff engagement and service. The seven-editor team utilizes the following criteria to determine its annual rankings:

Staff relations
Profitability
Product offerings
Passenger reviews
Investment rating
Fleet age

Without further adieu here are the world’s best airlines for 2020:

1. Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand bumped Singapore Airlines out of the top spot this year. The kiwi airline is the country’s flag carrier airline. Based in Auckland, the airline has charted six times now for its performance and has scored several awards for its in-flight innovations, environmental leadership, operational safety, and staff motivation.

They have booked passenger flights to a total of 20 domestic and 32 international locations in 20 countries, mainly in the area of the Pacific Rim. Air New Zealand has been an official member of the well-known Star Alliance since 1999.

2. Singapore Airlines

Up next at number two, is Singapore Airlines. This is the flag carrier of Singapore. Its hub is located at the Singapore Changi Airport.

This company is reportedly “always at the forefront” when it comes to airline awards. In the past two years, it has been praised for its introduction of its new 787-10 and A350 and revamping of its A380s. The airline offers flights to 60+ destinations in 30+ countries. Skytrax voted it as the “world’s best airline” four times. The airline has also topped Travel & Leisure’s best airlines list for decades.
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3. All Nippon Airways

Coming in at number three this year is Japan’s All Nippon Airways. Also called Zennikkū, the airline is the country’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers and revenues. Headquartered in Shiodome City Center in the Minato ward of Tokyo.

It is said to be the leading operator of the Boeing 787 and noted to be a launch customer for the popular 777X. Heralded as being “at the forefront of cabin innovation”. The company offers flights to domestic and international locations and in 2016 were reported to employ more than 20,000 people.

4. Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways Limited is currently the flag carrier of Australia. It’s the country’s biggest airline in terms of international flights, international destinations, and fleet size. This airline slotted in at number four due to its financial performance and also scored the Best Domestic Service and Best Lounge awards.

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5. Cathay Pacific Airways

Cathay Pacific Airways, aka Cathay or Cathay Pacific, made it to number five on the list. Always in the winner’s circle, it is Hong Kong’s flag carrier. Airlineratings.com has given the airline several different awards including one for Best Business Class in 2013 and one for Best Asia/Pacific Airline for 2015 and 2016. The main office and hub are situated in Hong Kong International Airport. The company runs a fleet of Airbus A350, Airbus A330, and, of course, Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft.

6. Emirates

In the 6th spot is the state-owned airline Emirates. It’s headquartered in Garhoud, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Its hub is located at Dubai International Airport.

The airline was rated highly in part because it announced that next year it with offer a Premium Economy class to all of its aircraft. The state has also ordered A350s and 787-9s. Emirates, a subsidiary of The government’s Emirates Group, is the biggest airline in the Middle East. They run more than 3,600 flights every week to over 150 cities in 80 different countries.

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7. Virgin Atlantic

Now arriving at spot number seven is Virgin Atlantic. The British airline is also known as Virgin Atlantic International Limited and Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited. Among other things, they were slotted into the top ten for their continuous innovations.

The company’s head office can be found in Crawley, England. It was founded in 1984 and first known as British Atlantic Airways. The company co-founders, Randolph Fields, and Alan Hellary, originally intended to only offer flights between the city of London and the Falkland Islands. The name was later changed to Virgin Atlantic Airways.

8. EVA Air

EVA Air Corporation or EVA Air lands at number eight. EVA actually stands for “Evergreen Airways.” Whatever you want to call it, the airline has reportedly always been the leading Taiwanese aviation company.

The company was founded in 1989. Since 1992 this airline has led the way in terms of premium economy and cabin innovation. It’s based out of the Taoyuan International Airport located near Taipei, Taiwan.

Skytrax gave this airline a five-star rating. It is currently the second-largest airline in Taiwan. EVA Air is based in Luzhu, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

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9. Qatar Airways

In the number nine slot is Qatar Airways. The airline, Qatar Airways Company, Q.C.S.C., was credited for being yet another great innovator. It made the charts, in part, because of award-winning Business Class suites and catering.

This state-owned airline is the flag carrier of Qatar. Its main office is in the impressive Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, the company runs a hub-and-spoke network. The airline connects more than 150 international locations across North America, Africa, Central Asia, Europe, South America, South Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania from Hamad International Airport.

10. Virgin Australia

Scraping into the Top 10 we have Virgin Australia. Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd scored for Best Economy and Best Cabin Crew too. It is not only one of the country’s largest airlines, but it is also the largest airline (going by fleet size) to use the famous Virgin brand.

It launched back in August 2000 under the name Virgin Blue. They had only two aircraft and flew one route. It became a major airline when Ansett Australia went under in September 2001. It currently provides service to 42 destinations in Australia from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

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11. Lufthansa

Lufthansa came in at number 11. The name Lufthansa comes from the German term luft which means air and hansa which is short for the Hanseatic League. Also known as Deutsche Lufthansa AG, it was praised for offering the “best long-haul Europe.”

It’s Germany’s flag carrier and also the country’s largest airline. When Lufthansa is combined with its various subsidiaries, it is also Europe’s largest airline (in regards to the number of passengers carried). The entire Lufthansa Group presently has more than 700 aircraft which makes it one of the world’s largest airline fleets.

12. Finnair

Filling out the top dozen airlines for 2020 is Finnair. Finnair is the country’s flag carrier and its largest airline too. You can find its headquarters in Vantaa at the Helsinki Airport. Among other things, it scored high for staff relations and how it treats its staff.

That raises a question on how one judges airlines on staff relations since its staff recently went on strike in solidarity with the postal employees.) Finnair and its subsidiaries rule in terms of both domestic and international flights. The government is the airline’s major shareholder. Finnair has close to 6,000 employees.

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13. Japan Airlines

Number 13 was lucky for Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., also known simply as Nikkō. This charting international airline, headquartered in Shinagawa Tokyo, is the nation’s flag carrier. The business is praised for its customer service and innovative promotions.

This airline’s main hubs are presently located at Tokyo International Airport. Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. The entire business group of JAL companies includes ZIPAIR Tokyo, Ryukyu Air Commuter, Japan Transocean Air, JAL Express, JAL Cargo, Japan Airlines, J-Air, and Japan Air Commuter.

14. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM, legally known as Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V., landed at number 14 this year. KLM is the Netherlands flag carrier airline. (It is one of many flag carriers to make the list for 2020.)

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919 and has its HQ in the city of Amstelveen. Its hub is located close by at the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. KLM is the world’s oldest airline still doing business under its original moniker. At last count, the airline employed almost 36,000 people and had a fleet of 119 aircraft.

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15. Korean Air

Slotting it at number 15 this year is the Korean Air Co., Ltd. More commonly known as Korean Airlines or simply Korean Air, it is currently reported to be South Korea’s flag carrier and largest airline according to fleet size, the number of international destinations and the number of international flights.

Korean Air was founded on March 1, 1969, following the Hanjin chaebol’s acquisition of the government-owned company Korean Air Lines. The Hanjin chaebol is owned by the well-known Cho family. The Cho family remains the airline’s controlling shareholder. The airline’s global HQ is situated in the city of Seoul.

16. Hawaiian Airlines

(Isn’t it about time an American airline show up on this list?) Hawaiian Airlines is reported to be the US state of Hawaii’s flag carrier and largest airline. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is the United States’ tenth-largest commercial airline.

This airline has its main hub at the well-known Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on the popular island of Oahu. The company also has a second hub on the island of Maui’s Kahului Airport. Hawaiian Airlines offers flights to the US mainland, American Samoa, Australia, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Asia, and various destinations in Hawaii.

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17. British Airways

There is something about this airline that simply appeals to people. So it should be no surprise it made the top 20 list. British Airways is the famous flag carrier airline of the entire United Kingdom.

The airline’s main hub can be found at London Heathrow Airport. The company’s main office is located near there at Waterside, Harmondsworth. Based on passengers carried and fleet size, it is the United Kingdom’s second-largest airline. BA is also the first official passenger airline to earn more than $1 billion on one air route in a single year.

18. Alaska Airlines

This is the second American airline to make the list. (USA! USA!) Alaska Airlines is one of several major American airlines. The company’s home office can be found in SeaTac, in the Seattle metropolitan area, in the state of Washington.

This airline is the United States’ fifth-largest airline in the United States in terms of the number of destinations offered, passengers carried, and fleet size. Alaska Airlines and its partners run a network of routes focused on linking Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to more than 100 locations in the continental United States, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica.

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19. Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is the third and final US airline to make the list. Its inclusion may be a surprise to some. After all, frequent flyers and certainly any travel writer worth his or her salt is well aware of certain headline-grabbing incidents in this American company’s past.

Still, it’s earned its slot here. Delta Air Lines, Inc. was actually named as the official best long-haul airline for the Americas. Delta is a legacy carrier and one of the United States’ major airlines. Delta’s main office is situated in Atlanta in the state of Georgia.

20. Etihad Airways

Last to make the list is Etihad Airways. This airline is the UAE’s second-largest. The company HQ is located in Khalifa City, in Abu Dhabi.

It’s conveniently close to Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad was first open for business in November of 2003. They purport to “offer the best deals on flights worldwide.”

It is the United Arab Emirates’ official national carrier. This airline offers non-stop flights to over 90 destinations in North America, Europe, Oceania, Africa, Asia, and (of course) the Middle East. The airlines’ cabins are configured in several unique ways.

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Be prepared! It’s been the official motto of million scouts since 1907. Today, now more than ever, travelers and frequent flyers are also advised to follow this advice. Airline passengers must now follow more new rules.

Why? Ask the Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. His partial laundry list of relatively recent reasons include liquid explosives, explosive underwear, the infamous shoe bomber, and a scheme to set off explosive cargo.

Those are but four of the dangerous threats the U.S. airline industry has derailed since the September 11 attacks in 2001. For each such such threat, the Kelly and his staff set new regulations hoping to keep passengers safe. They started releasing those rules just a couple of years ago and they are presently in effect at all airports in the United States.

Preparedness and patience are required

Many airports have already purchased more hi-tech equipment and screeners thanks to government grants. TSA employees will now be utilizing newer, more sensitive screening implements which means the lines will be even longer and passengers will be waiting longer too. The TSA reports that preparedness influences how long one waits at security checkpoints. So be aware of the following:

Click On the Next > Button to See Next.

Neatness helps

Frequent flyers might already know this, still, it doesn’t hurt to remember that neatness counts. TSA officers not only scrutinize what you put in your personal carry-on but also how you’ve packed it. If your carry-on luggage is so overstuffed and untidy that the X-ray scanner cannot provide an unobstructed, clear view of the contents, the TSA officers might tell you to unpack your carry-on and put the contents into a bin in order to be properly scanned. Your best bet is to organize your carry-ons to ensure they’re not cluttered.

Your electronic equipment is subject to screening

According to the TSA, all passengers in standard security lines must now place all personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone (ex: e-readers, tablets, handheld games, laptop computers) into bins for X-ray examination.

Prohibition of various powders

Now, what’s wrong with talcum powder, you ask? Nothing really. The problem is that the powers-that-be cannot tell just from glancing at it whether it really is just bath powder or if it’s actually something dangerous or toxic.

Because of this, TSA officers carefully inspect any powder in quantities of more than 350 milliliters. (To those not familiar with the metric system, that’s roughly the size of a regular soda can. If the TSA cannot be certain the powder is harmless, you will be asked to throw it in the trash. So when you pack don’t pack powders in your carry-on bag. If you insist on not taking that advice, take it out of your carry-on and put it in a bin prior to inspection.

‘Dense’ foods will be thoroughly inspected

Passengers could now be asked to remove food from their carry-ons. This is especially able to happen if the food so “dense” that it somehow impedes the X-ray equipment’s ability to scan the other things with which it is packed. What does the TSA define as “dense?” Some examples they cite are baby food, baby formula, breast milk, and similar canned foods. Travelers are advised to remove these items and put them into bins ahead of time to facilitate easier screening.

Gel-form foods prohibited

The TSA has banned all gel and liquid foods in quantities of more than 3.4 ounces. (In fact, they have already banned any gels or liquids in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces, like gel pens, gel ice packs, and hair gel.) Veteran travelers suggest a simple rule: If it can be poured, pumped, spread, spilled, or even sprayed, pack it into your checked baggage or just do not take it.

Sometimes even one cookie . . .

According to The Sacramento Bee, on a flight out of the Sacramento International Airport, a professor at UCD (the University of California, Davis), Julie Sze, was instructed to take a single cookie out of her carry-on and put it in a bin prior to scanning.

Unpack all edibles

Anyone who frequents the Denver International Airport can confirm that the TSA officers who work there were telling passengers to take all their food items out of their carry-on bags and put them into bins and bowls. Those who failed to do so were subjected to having their carry-ons being pulled aside for enhanced screening. This procedure can add an average of half an hour to a person’s wait time.

Books

Don’t stress, fellow bibliophiles and rapid readers! Books are not banned. You might have to take them out of your carry-on and put them in a bin though for closer inspection. TSA staffers might quickly fan through each book’s pages in order to check for anything that might be hidden. Additionally, if you’re packing several books that might impede screening, you might as well take them out and put them into a bin prior to inspection.

Magazines

Magazines, too? Yes, even though you might have purchased the magazines in the airport, periodicals are increasingly falling under inspection. TSA agents might page through them as well.

Anything unidentified won’t fly

In an official press release, the TSA stated: “Items that cannot be identified and resolved at the checkpoint are prohibited from entering the cabin of the aircraft.” This means everything in your carry-on will be examined more closely than ever. If you’re packing anything “intimate,” you’d best ask for a private screening.

Helpful tips

• If you want to avoid a lengthy security screening, the TSA suggests preparing.
• Be at the airport three hours prior to any international flight and two hours prior to any domestic flight
• Be aware of anything you will have to take out of your carry-on prior to entering the security line
• Think about packing anything presently subjected to special scrutiny into your checked suitcases rather than your carry-ons
• Don’t wear bulky accessories, jewelry, or scarves. If you must wear anything bulky be ready to put them into bins.
• Make sure you don’t leave anything in the bins after being screened.

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Seasoned travelers know that flying can sometimes be a long and uncomfortable experience. All too many airlines put profits before passengers and cram as many people as possible onto an aircraft. Still, there are some airlines that are above all the others and provide their passengers with excellent service. As part of its yearly annual Airline Excellence Awards, the Perth, Australia-based airline website Airline Ratings.com recently released their list of the top ten best airlines in the world.

The website’s seven editors, based their using 12 areas of evaluation. The categories included fleet age, investment rating, passenger reviews, product offerings, profitability, and staff relations.

You might be amazed (or maybe not) to learn that no airline from North America or Europe scored high enough to make it into the latest top ten list. Without any further ado, here are the 10 best airlines in the world:

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines or Japan Airlines Company, Limited (JAL) was founded in 1951. Today this airline is the flag carrier of Japan, the company is based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It became Japan’s national airline in 1953 but by 1987 it was completely privatized.

Japan Airlines has been rated highly for its premium economy class. The seats are extra roomy. There is a lot of legroom. It is reported to be worth the extra cost and yet remains less expensive than business class. Click On the Next  Button to See Next.

Cathay Pacific Airways

Founded in 1946, Cathay Pacific Airways is Hong Kong’s current flag carrier. CPA’s main hub and head office are situated at the Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay Pacific presently serves 80 destinations with a significant Asian network and numerous gateway cities in Europe and North America too. Reviewers generally agree that CPA has quite an economy service that is quite impressive. Critics also report that Cathay Pacific’s new Airbus A350 provides passengers with several significant improvements in terms of physical comfort and entertainment.

EVA Air

EVA Air Corporation 1800, the flag carrier of Taiwan, was launched in 1989. (The EVA stands for Evergreen Airways.) This Taiwanese international airline is headquartered in Luzhu, in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and the Taoyuan International Airport which is close to Taipei, Taiwan.
This airline provides both dedicated cargo and passenger service to more than 40 different international locations in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. Skytrax gives it a five-star rating. This possibly due in part to their reasonable prices and amenity kits.

All Nippon Airways

Based on the company’s present fleet size, All Nippon Airways or ANA is Japan’s largest airline. The airline is based out of the Shiodome City Center situated in the Shiodome region of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. ANA provides their services to both international and domestic locations. Launched in 1952, the airline now boasts a staff of approximately 20,000 employees. Reviewers agree that flying economy over a long flight is a lot easier thanks to the airline’s customer service and Dreamliner features.

Emirates

The Emirates airline was founded in 1985. It’s the largest airline company in all the Middle East. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is an official subsidiary of The Emirates Group which is government-owned. The airline provides more than 3,600 flights every week to over 140 cities in 81 different countries. They depart from the airline’s hub found in the Dubai International Airport.
The airline was praised for its customer service, trip updates, and roomier seats that better facilitate relaxing.

Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia Airlines is headquartered in Bowen Hills, Brisbane. In 1999, it was launched under the name of Virgin Blue. In 2012 it was rechristened Virgin Australia and now serves 52 destinations in 14 countries with a fleet of Airbus and Boeing jets. The airline has been praised for its premium economy service which gives passengers both priority check-in and boarding in Sydney and Los Angeles. Some note that the experience provides noteworthy upgrades that make it especially valuable on such lengthy flights.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C., more popularly known as Qatar Airways, is government-owned and based in the Qatar Airways Tower at Hamad International Airport, located in Doha. It runs an effective hub-and-spoke network that connects more than 150 locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, North and South America, and Oceania. It has a fleet of over 200 planes. QA scored points for the quality of its cabins and overall service. Its business class was deemed the best in the world by Skytrax.

Qantas

Launched in 1920, Qantas Airways is Australia’s flag carrier and the nation’s largest in terms of fleet size, international destinations, and international flights. The name is actually an acronym for its original moniker “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services” and some know it as “The Flying Kangaroo.” Its located in Mascot a suburb of Sydney. The airport’s main hub is situated in the Sydney Airport. The airline scored for such things as the quality of food and the comfort of the accommodations.

Air New Zealand

Founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited, the airline became owned by the government in 1965, when New Zealand officials merged TEAL with the New Zealand National Airways Corporation into one airline renamed Air New Zealand. Headquartered in Auckland, ANZ offers flights to 31 international and 20 domestic locations in 19 countries in the Americas, Asia, the South Pacific, the UK and across the Pacific Rim. Kudos are given for the service, comfort, and overall value. And the winner is . . .

Singapore Airlines

Founded in 1947 as Malayan Airways. It was reopened for business as Singapore Airlines in 1972. Singapore’s flag carrier has its hub at the Singapore Changi Airport. For the first time in five years, Air New Zealand has knocked off the top of the charts. AirlineRatings.com reports that SA leads the way “in passenger innovations.” SA also garnered plaudits for its in-flight service, courteous crew, operation safety, revamped interiors and its use of the new Airbus A350-900ULR and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners.

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There was a time not long ago when chartering a private jet was an activity exclusive to the rich and famous. However, as the nature of business travel and the airline industry are becoming less compatible, more people than ever before are chartering their own flights.

Though most air travelers would probably never consider chartering a private plane or jet, it might actually be a better option than commercial flying in some situations. For business people in particular, time is always of the essence, and commercial airline schedules are often a matter of inconvenience. Chartered flights, on the other hand, tend to have a very flexible schedule. Travelers in a hurry can book a last minute flight and leave whenever they need to.

Of course, this personal service comes at a premium price. Chartered planes usually command a price of $800 to $5,000 per hour, depending on the type of plane used. Plush Gulfstream and Challenger jets are the most expensive to charter, while smaller turboprop aircraft offer a cheaper alternative.The jets are plush, boast a smooth and swift ride, and can seat up to 15 passengers. The turboprops, in contrast, are slower and tend to have a bumpy ride.

In addition, business travelers are forced to pay higher commercial fares than leisure travelers. Those that typically fly first class may actually save some money with charter flights. First class tickets bought at the last minute for shorter flights, such as those from the east coast to the Midwest, may actually cost hundreds more than a comparable chartered flight. And since many charter planes can book flights for multiple passengers, chartering a group of business executives to such a destination may save a substantial sum of money.

For travelers that buy their airline tickets in advance at discount prices, chartering a flight would be more a matter of luxury than anything else. Private planes and jets usually have more room to move around than commercial seats allow, and the accommodations tend to be quite a bit more lavish. The bottom line: charter flights are a viable alternative to regular air travel, at least for certain business people and those who have more money than time to spare.

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Taking children on their first aeroplane flight can be an exciting adventure that the whole family can enjoy. This is a parent’s guide to flying with young children and it aims to help make the most out the travelling experience, so everyone can have a safe and fun-filled journey:

• If your child has a cold before you’re due to fly, get them checked out by your local doctor. If it’s a severe cold and your child ruptures an eardrum, it will be the end of your holiday. Some infant nasal saline spray can come in handy for blocked noses whilst travelling, so make sure you keep some in your handbag. If you’re travelling with really young children, try to put them to the breast or bottle on take-off or landing as the act of swallowing will help ear- drums to ‘pop’ and equalise the aircraft pressurization.
• If you’re heading to the tropics make sure you have contacted your GP beforehand and know the necessary inoculations you’ll be required to take.
  Some malaria tablets need to be taken three weeks before the start of your holiday and some injections require a time period of six months before travel.
• If this is the first flight your child has taken, it’s a good idea to have some junior travel sickness tablets handy. All airlines have air-sickness bags in the seat pocket in front of you, but it is good advice to take a light-weight spare set of clothing for them, just in case.
• Long haul travel can be gruelling for parents with children, so try to book a night flight where your child is virtually guaranteed to sleep on at least one leg. If you have young infants ask your airline operator if they have baby bassinets on board; many companies do and infants sleep like a dream in them.
• If you have toddlers under the age of 2, they will sleep on your lap unless you book an extra seat (at extra cost) for them. This can be a nightmare if you want to settle them to sleep, but the ‘Flyebaby’ hammock is a great invention which hooks over the parent’s seat in front and forms a make- shift bed for your little one. If your trip is over 8 hours, this is a great buy.
• If you’re taking your car seat on the flight for your child to sit in, make sure the airline you are travelling with approves of it first. Some airlines have specific guidelines regarding width, height and brand which your seat has to adhere to before they will let you use it.
• Have a check-list of everything you absolutely must have in your handbag before you leave the house. This should include your passports, tickets, travel insurance and any medicine that you or your children might need on the flight. Make sure that none of these items go in your checked luggage as there is a chance that this might go missing for a day or two. If you have space in your cabin luggage, take a light-weight change of clothing for each member of the family.
• Allow yourself plenty of time at the airport. Grumpy children who refuse to walk to the check in desk, need the toilet or simply throw a tantrum in the middle of the airport concourse will have your stress levels fit to burst before you’ve even seen an aeroplane.
• Whilst you can’t carry water with you through the departure gate (airlines don’t let you carry liquids over 100ml in volume) you would be well advised to buy some in the airport departure lounge. Flying is very dehydrating due to the aeroplane air-conditioning systems so buy yourself and the children plenty of water in advance.
• Airlines aren’t as good as they used to be when handing out toys and some airlines don’t hand out any toys whatsoever. Be prepared and pack your own goody bag for your child. You can put colouring books, crayons, stickers, snacks and little toys in a rucksack which they can carry themselves and it will give you hours of peace and quiet on your flight.
• Meals on board the aircraft can be difficult with children, especially if they’re sitting on your lap. The best way to deal with this is to ask the cabin attendants if you can have the children’s meals first and then your own. That way you’ll have much quieter children and may even be able to eat some of your own meal in relative peace and quiet.
• The days of children being allowed to visit the cock-pit of an aeroplane are unfortunately long gone. The only real entertainment aeroplanes provide is in- flight TV and parents travelling with small children should make the most of it. This is not the time to limit viewing hours and if it keeps your child amused for a few hours, you may even manage to get some sleep yourself!

If you have any queries regarding your flight, call your airline first to make sure problems do not arise later when they cannot be resolved. Travelling with children doesn’t have to be difficult and stressful, as long as you remember to do your research and come prepared.

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