When you think of catching a flight, what comes to mind? Cramped seats, baggage fees, endless delays, long check-in lines and a $5 sandwich? In a world of booming budget travel, flying economy has quickly become less than luxurious.
However, not all airlines are made equal. The 10 best international airlines were recently announced at the annual World Airline Awards in Paris.
Click ahead to see which airlines are considered the world's best.
Fleet Size: 97
Hub: Doha, Qatar
Leaping the rankings from eighth place six years ago, Qatar Airways has been named the world's best airline this year. It also won the award for the best airline in the Middle East and the best first-class airline lounge.
Founded in 1994, the Doha, Qatar-based national carrier operates one of the youngest fleet of aircrafts in the world, with an average plane age of four years.
Fleet Size: 112
Hub: Singapore
Almost always at the top of any global airline ranking, Singapore's flag carrier has accomplished a long list of firsts in the aviation industry.
Founded in 1972, it was the first airline to offer free headsets, and free meals and drinks in economy class in the 1970s
Fleet Size: 72
Hub: Seoul, South Korea
Winner of last year's title for the world's best airline, Asiana Airlines is one of two major carriers in South Korea. The airline also won awards for the best cabin staff and best economy class this year.
Based in Seoul, the airline was founded in 1988 and is one of only seven airlines around the world that have been given five-star status by Skytrax.
Fleet Size: 125
Hub: Hong Kong, China
Cathay Pacific is the world's third most profitable airline in terms of net profit. It is also the world's largest international cargo airline.
The airline made aviation history in 1998, when it operated the world's first ever non-stop commercial flight over the North Pole from New York to Hong Kong.
Founded in 1946 by American Roy C Farrell and Australian Sydney H. de Kantzow, the Hong Kong-based carrier grew rapidly in the 1960s—expanding at an average rate of 20 percent between 1962 and 1967.
Fleet Size: 95
Hub: Bangkok, Thailand
Making the list of the top five airlines in the world, Thai Airways drew over 3,600 applicants last week for just 370 cabin crew positions. In 2006, the airline took the top honor as the world's best airline and placed second the year after.
Known for its friendly cabin staff, the carrier is one of few airlines that require international female flight attendants to change from their purple suits into traditional Thai dress prior to the boarding of passengers.
The national carrier, which is partly owned by the Thai government, was founded in 1960 and is based in Bangkok.
Fleet Size: 57
Hub: Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Beating out the likes of Singapore Airlines and Qantas, relative newcomer Etihad Airways has regained the title of the world's best first-class cabin and best first-class catering.
Founded in 2003, it's the world's fastest-growing airline. By 2010, it had already matched rival carrier Emirates in terms of number of flights per week.
Fleet Size: 103
Hub: Auckland, New Zealand
Air New Zealand has been named the best airline in the Australasia and Pacific region. It also won awards for the best premium economy class and the best catering in the same class. Passengers told Conde Nast's Traveler magazine they loved the airline on long-haul routes for its excellent food and catering and its child-friendliness. On-board meals feature New Zealand rack of lamb and fine wines from the country.
Air New Zealand's longest route is its Vancouver-to-Auckland connection with a flight time of 14 hours.
Founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways with flying boats, the Auckland-based airline was renamed in 1965. It was privatized in 1989 and foreign airlines, including Qantas, Japan Airlines, and American Airlines bought stakes in the carrier. But in 2005, the airline became 75 percent government-owned after the New Zealand government injected money into the carrier following losses in the carrier's subsidiary Ansett airlines.
Fleet Size: 191
Hub: Sydney, Australia
Australia's Qantas Airways is the world's second-oldest airline still in operation. Founded in 1920 as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services (QANTAS), the airline has become one of the strongest business brands in the country.
No stranger to the World Airline Awards, Qantas has made the top 10 ranking for the last six years, though at one point it ranked as high as No. 2. The airline's order for 20 Airbus A380s makes it the second-largest customer in the world for the superjumbo jet.
Qantas has had a stellar safety record, with no fatal accidents since 1951. However, a number of close calls over the last 12 months have sullied that record.
Fleet Size: 174
Hub: Istanbul, Turkey
Entering the top 10 for the first time, Turkish Airlines won three awards at the 2011 World Airlines Awards, including the title of Europe's best airline.
Founded in 1933, the Istanbul-based airline has been undergoing considerable transformation since the government shed more than half its stake in the carrier in 2003. It's now Europe's third-largest airline by passenger numbers, overtaking British Airways last year.
Fleet Size: 153
Hub: Dubai, U.A.E.
Despite having a fleet of just 153 planes, Emirates is the world's largest airline by international passenger miles flown. It's also the largest carrier in the Middle-East.
Founded in 1985, the government-owned carrier operates over 1,000 flights from Dubai each week. Its rapid expansion has turned Dubai into a high-volume intercontinental travel hub. In 2001, Emirates made history by announcing the largest-ever plane order in dollar-terms to date, buying 58 new aircraft at a list price of $15 billion.
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