Airline Loyalty
You have many airlines to choose from, but at some point you're likely going to find yourself signed up with at least 2 out of the 3 major airline alliances. I suggest you start with picking the airline alliance based on where you fly to and from the most. The destinations determines flight duration which in turn correlates with the Skytrax Airline rating and airline alliance. Also take into account the mileage expiration policy.
As this blog is focused on relatively high earners in APAC traveling mostly within Asia, my ratings may differ from other blogs in the US or Europe.
Airline Alliance
You care about airline alliances because you have some brand/alliance loyalty. I don't associate low-cost carriers (LCCs) with loyalty as highly price-sensitive travelers will go for the best deal. That is not this blog's target audience.
| Airline | Oneworld | Skyteam | Star Alliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANA | X | ||
| Eva Air | X | ||
| Singapore Airlines | X | ||
| Cathay Pacific | X | ||
| Japan Airlines | X | ||
| Korean Air | X | ||
| Garuda Indonesia | X |
Starlux Airlines is a notable independent airline. Asiana Airlines is also good but in the process of merging with Korean Air.
This is what airline mileage program I would sign up for based on airline alliance:
Oneworld
Cathay Pacific has a activity-based mileage expiration policy. As long as you have even one (small) transaction - partners included - every 18 months, your entire mileage balance is renewed indefinitely. There are also many Cathay credit cards which can generate activity, so this is easy for adults.
If you have a young child that does not fly frequently, sign up for Finnair. Learn more at which Oneworld program is best for children and why Cathay Pacific is the worst for young children.
American Airlines also has a few lifetime status tiers, but it takes 2 million miles for lounge access. The other alliances offer lounge at 1 million miles. This is clearly the hardest to reach compared with Skyteam (Delta) and Star Alliance (United). Learn more on why I ditched American Airlines AAdvantage.
Skyteam
Korean Air mileage is valid for 10 years and offers family pooling of mileage, which increases the chances of you actually having enough miles to make a redemption. The long validity is ideal even if you fly other airline alliances most of the time, but you want to signup for a Skyteam mileage partner just in case. Morning Calm Premium Club lifetime status with (business) lounge access can also be reached at only 500K miles, including mileage flown on partner airlines. At 1 million miles you get access to the first-class lounge in Seoul also.
Another alternative is to consider Delta Airlines Skymiles. Delta mileage does not expire and they also have a 1 million miles lifetime status program. Partner flight mileage - not just Delta flights - count toward that lifetime status.
To me, 10 years mileage expiration is as good as a lifetime. With airline mileage being subject to devaluations anytime, it is recommended you spend what you earn when you can rather than save it for eternity. I would go with Korean Air, especially since lifetime status is 500K miles.
Star Alliance
ANA, JAL and Singapore miles expire after 3 years from when you earned them. If you don't fly them often as they typically are on the most expensive side, consider signing up with United Airlines instead. Accrued United mileage does not expire. United also has a 1 million miles lifetime status program, although only mileage flown on United flights counts toward that lifetime status. United 1 million miles is enough for lounge access.
Long-haul (6+ hours)
5-star Airline Rating
I would say you generally can't go wrong with any of them, regardless of class of travel. Japan Airlines Economy class is the best; even the Economy class price is indicative. Korean Air is next best. Both are amazing due to seat width, leg room, seat recline. Great food and service too.
4-star Airline Rating
This is my recommended long-haul minimum from Asia.
3-star Airline Rating
Delta is the best in my opinion, followed by United, American, and China Eastern in that order. China Eastern seat width is best out of these in Economy class, but food is terrible. If you're lucky, you're on a code share Delta flight that is actually operated by Korean Air which has better seat width.
Medium-haul (3-6 hours)
Decent experience even without a 5-star airline.
Short-haul (under 3 hours)
Any 3-star airline will do in terms of seat comfort for that duration. Just make sure you have charged your phone or tablet and have noise cancelling earphones/headphones.
Onboard food is not important as you can bring your own or not eat for 3 hours right? They usually don't have a (good) loyalty program nor ticket booking tool and seat selection process. I highly recommend using Trip.com to book 3-star airlines so at least there is some loyalty benefit you can earn, and the booking, change and cancellation experience is less painful. Seat selection may not be possible via Trip.com as the airline just doesn't have that ability to share with OTAs.