• 10th: Cathay Pacific. Based: Hong Kong. Flight performance: On time 69%. Baggage fees: third bag $150. Fleet size: 144, average age 8.6 years. AFP
    10th: Cathay Pacific. Based: Hong Kong. Flight performance: On time 69%. Baggage fees: third bag $150. Fleet size: 144, average age 8.6 years. AFP
  • 9th: Saudia. Based: Saudi Arabia. Flight performance: on time 87%. Baggage fees: third bag $130. Fleet size: 154, average age 10.1 years. EPA
    9th: Saudia. Based: Saudi Arabia. Flight performance: on time 87%. Baggage fees: third bag $130. Fleet size: 154, average age 10.1 years. EPA
  • 8th: British Airways. Based: UK. Flight performance: on time 71%. Baggage fees: third bag $170. Fleet size: 265, average age 12.5 years. Getty
    8th: British Airways. Based: UK. Flight performance: on time 71%. Baggage fees: third bag $170. Fleet size: 265, average age 12.5 years. Getty
  • 7th: Air China. Based: China. Flight performance: on time 70%. Baggage fees: third bag $200. Fleet size: 320 planes, average age 6 years. EPA
    7th: Air China. Based: China. Flight performance: on time 70%. Baggage fees: third bag $200. Fleet size: 320 planes, average age 6 years. EPA
  • 6th: Ethiopian Airlines. Based: Ethiopia. Flight performance: on time 71%. Baggage fees: third bag $150. Fleet size: 76, average age 7 years. AFP
    6th: Ethiopian Airlines. Based: Ethiopia. Flight performance: on time 71%. Baggage fees: third bag $150. Fleet size: 76, average age 7 years. AFP
  • 5th: China Southern Airlines. Based China. Flight performance: 69 per cent. Baggage fees: third bag $162.68. Fleet size: 480, average age 6.4 years. Reuters
    5th: China Southern Airlines. Based China. Flight performance: 69 per cent. Baggage fees: third bag $162.68. Fleet size: 480, average age 6.4 years. Reuters
  • 4th: Singapore Airlines. Based: SIngapore. Flight performance: on time 83%. Baggage fees: third bag $150. Fleet size: 107, average age 7.4 years. Reuters
    4th: Singapore Airlines. Based: SIngapore. Flight performance: on time 83%. Baggage fees: third bag $150. Fleet size: 107, average age 7.4 years. Reuters
  • 3rd: China Eastern. Based: China. Flight performance: on time 62%. Baggage fees: third bag $165. Fleet size: 363, average age 6.3 years. AFP
    3rd: China Eastern. Based: China. Flight performance: on time 62%. Baggage fees: third bag $165. Fleet size: 363, average age 6.3 years. AFP
  • 2nd: Emirates Airline. Based: UAE. Flight performance: on time 74%. Baggage fees: third bag $158. Fleet size: 232, average age 6.3 years. Getty Images
    2nd: Emirates Airline. Based: UAE. Flight performance: on time 74%. Baggage fees: third bag $158. Fleet size: 232, average age 6.3 years. Getty Images
  • 1st: Qatar Airways. Based: Qatar. Flight performance: on time 83%. Baggage fees: third bag $200. Fleet size: 130, average age 5.5 years. EPA
    1st: Qatar Airways. Based: Qatar. Flight performance: on time 83%. Baggage fees: third bag $200. Fleet size: 130, average age 5.5 years. EPA

World’s most reliable airlines – in pictures


Ian Oxborrow
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Find out how the Gulf carriers fared in the study by travel website Wanderbat, which devised a rating system based on average flight performance, checked baggage allowance and fees and average age of the fleet.