TFCbest, here are the best companies in the world (where I traveled during 2023)
This is the ranking of the best companies in the world according to TFC, to make the ranking I base it only on those where I traveled during 2023
Qatar Airways
Oman Air
Lufthansa
La Compagnie
JetBlue
ITA Airways
Emirates
Air France
End of the year time to take stock and rankings, sure I don't want to compete with Skytrax and the gray eminences of aviation, but I want to bring as always my personal experience as a traveler. This year I have taken more than 120 flights, aboard 25 different airlines in all classes. If Last week I recounted the best lounge, today I am talking about the best companies and cabins where I have traveled in this 2023.
Foreword
In this article:
The big difference with 2022 is that starting this year I had to document everything not only with text and photos but also with videos on my YT channel. Every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. on time a flight review comes out, a huge commitment both from a production standpoint and in terms of material to produce every "damn Sunday," but one that has seen many videos garner tens of thousands of views, despite the fact that the bum has "few channel subscribers."
The best first-class cabin
Last year this award went to Singapore Airlines., This year's victory goes to Emirates and its Gamechanger, or the "secret" suite that flies on very few 777/300s and on very few routes in the world.
The best bonuses
With Marika we flew all the way to Tokyo to board one of these planes, and the reason is that just the route to Tokyo Haneda is the longest route taken with this cabin, a unique product in global aviation, in some ways even superior to that found on the A380 by Singapore, although that one remains the best in the world. In addition to EK this year, I have also flown first class aboard Qatar and All Nippon Airlines, and I must say. the Japanese company was a very unique experience, but the cabin although spacey is not comparable to that of Emirates.
The best first-class service
Emirates also takes home this award and so succeeds Air France. Flying First with Emirates brings so much attention to the passenger. From the chauffeur who picks you up at the airport and takes you to your destination, and vice versa, to thefree hotel in Dubai if you have a long stop over and do not want to spend hours at the airport. Needless to say, I made extensive use of it throughout the year and on all occasions where it was available.
The best business class cabin (wide fuselage)
I have traveled aboard many business classes over the course of this 2023, and I must say that two experiences have detached the competition: the first is the Qatar's QSuite on board the 777/300 and the second is the Oman Air's Apex Suite.Â
In the end if I add up all the variables I have to say that I award the victory to the national airline of Oman. What tips the scales toward the small and semi-unknown Muscat-based company is precisely the fact that it is an underdog, a David versus Goliath. The overall product offered is comparable to that of many other carriers, but in many respects it is superior to even the best known and most glamorous ones.
Of course the QSuite is the best cabin, but the ingredients are not only the iron, but also and especially the rest: from service to catering to, of course, price. Mixing all these variables I have to say that Oman wins by a hair's breadth.
The best business class cabin (narrow fuselage)
This is the first new category of this year's TFCbest, as more and more people will fly long-haul on single-aisle aircraft, it seems fair to reward those who offer the best product in this niche market.
There is no doubt here. The victory is all made in the USA. JetBlue still has no plans to fly to Italy, but it is a carrier that (sooner or later) will come to our country. It is now a giant in the U.S., even though it is very young, and it offers a unique product throughout the U.S. And since it has started flying to the Old Continent as well, it has also brought a breath of fresh air amidst the European legacy airline establishment. Jetblue wins for product, service, style, and every single aspect of its Mint Suite.
Best wifi on board
This is also a new category, and winning here is La Compagnie. Small all-business carrier wipes out everything and everyone. It beats American JetBlue by a hair's breadth, but only because having flown with BO several times I was able to experience the peculiarities of the product offered. Unheard of speed, no limits, and most importantly, absolutely free.
The best premium economy
More and more passengers want to fly PE so I have reviewed 3 different products this year and many are coming in the next few months. The best cabin is ITA Airways on board the A330/900neo that entered service this summer.
Certainly it was not a trip without its faults, but what made ITA triumph in this category was the truly above-average product. Lots of legroom, a screen never seen before in size and resolution, and a really comfortable chair.
The best IFE
An American carrier wins again this year, the prize is all Jetblue's. Screen quality, content offerings, live TV, superior headphones and crazy wifi. We are on another planet here. Starting with the 17″ TV, which becomes 22″ for those sitting in row 1.
Hundreds of content, movies and TV series. There are even complete series and not single episodes that do nothing but make the passenger nervous. If Delta has Apple TV+ and British Airways a few episodes of Paramount+ here we have HBO, Showtime and AMC+ and 5 channels of live TV available on board.
The best economy class
I have also flown a lot in tourist class, and I must say. My best experience was aboard Lufthansa.Â
On balance, considering all the variables (where seat choice is obviously one of the key keys) the German carrier gave me the impression that it treated me best considering the amount spent. A cut above all the other long-haul flights I have taken in echo in 2023.
The best cabin crew
This award, the first time I have awarded it, is all from Air France KLM, I must admit that not only have I never had any problems on board the planes and flights, but thanks to the status given to me by the company even when there are small problems I am always treated as a VIP no matter which cabin I am sitting in.
In conclusion
I remember, this ranking is based solely and exclusively on my personal experiences as a paying passenger (cash or points) and without ever notifying the company of my presence on board. TFC is a job, and part of my job is really to see how to fly and how you are treated on the ground and on board by the companies.