Round-the-world (RTW) flights allow travelers to explore multiple countries across different continents with a single booking, often at a significantly discounted price compared to booking individual flights. Several airlines and airline alliances offer RTW tickets that can provide flexibility, cost savings, and a variety of destinations. Here’s a guide to some of the best airlines for booking affordable RTW flights.
1. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways offers a well-regarded RTW program through its Privilege Club and the Qatar Airways Global Pass, allowing travelers to design a customized RTW trip with up to 16 stopovers. With their extensive network spanning across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Qatar Airways provides excellent value for money, often offering competitive pricing and high-quality service.
- Key Highlights: Extensive route network across continents, luxurious in-flight experience, and excellent customer service.
- Best For: Travelers looking for a premium experience at a competitive price with a broad range of stopover options.
2. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines, part of the Star Alliance network, is known for its exceptional service and flight experience. It offers RTW tickets that allow you to fly to multiple destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. While slightly more expensive than budget airlines, Singapore Airlines consistently ranks among the best for value, especially for those seeking luxury and comfort.
- Key Highlights: Excellent customer service, great in-flight experience, and an extensive network of destinations, especially in Asia and Oceania.
- Best For: Travelers prioritizing comfort and luxury without sacrificing affordability.
3. Star Alliance
The Star Alliance is a global network of 26 airlines, including heavyweights like United Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA, and Singapore Airlines. Star Alliance offers RTW tickets that allow you to travel with multiple member airlines, offering a high degree of flexibility with departure and arrival cities. Their Round the World fare can be adjusted based on travel dates, regions, and the number of stopovers, making it a versatile option for world travelers.
- Key Highlights: 26 member airlines, flexibility in routes and destinations, and competitive pricing.
- Best For: Travelers looking for variety and flexibility with stopovers across multiple continents.
4. OneWorld Alliance
The OneWorld Alliance is another global airline network consisting of 13 airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. OneWorld’s RTW program allows you to fly to various global destinations with up to 16 stopovers, offering good flexibility in pricing depending on the number of continents visited.
- Key Highlights: Extensive network, good flexibility for multi-continent routes, and comprehensive coverage for travelers heading to Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
- Best For: Those looking for good coverage across Europe, Asia, and the Americas with flexible stopover options.
5. SkyTeam Alliance
The SkyTeam Alliance consists of 19 airlines, including Delta, Air France, Korean Air, and Aeroflot. Their RTW tickets offer up to 15 stopovers and can be customized based on your travel preferences. This alliance is known for its affordability and extensive coverage, especially to destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Key Highlights: Wide-reaching network, affordable RTW ticket options, and good availability for North American and European travelers.
- Best For: Budget-conscious travelers looking to cover multiple continents with good network coverage.
6. Emirates
Emirates offers a fantastic experience for RTW travelers, with an extensive route network through Dubai, which serves as a central hub connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. While not part of any alliance, Emirates’ RTW tickets offer flexibility in terms of the number of stopovers, and their competitive pricing makes them an attractive option for travelers seeking both luxury and affordability.
- Key Highlights: High-quality service, extensive routes to destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and competitive pricing.
- Best For: Travelers wanting a luxurious in-flight experience with a hub in Dubai offering extensive connectivity.
7. Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand is an excellent option for travelers heading to the Pacific and Oceania regions. Offering competitive RTW packages, Air New Zealand allows travelers to customize their itineraries to include multiple stops across Asia, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Their RTW fares are usually competitively priced, especially for those focusing on the Pacific and Australasia regions.
- Key Highlights: Competitive pricing for travel to the South Pacific, Oceania, and Australia; great service; and flexible RTW itineraries.
- Best For: Travelers seeking RTW tickets with a focus on Oceania, Australia, and the Pacific islands.
8. Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific, a member of the OneWorld Alliance, offers excellent RTW packages that allow you to explore Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. With its main hub in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific provides affordable RTW tickets with flexibility in flight dates and routes. Known for its quality in-flight service, Cathay Pacific is a great option for travelers seeking comfort without paying exorbitant prices.
- Key Highlights: Strong network in Asia, excellent in-flight service, and competitive pricing for an all-inclusive RTW trip.
- Best For: Travelers seeking high-quality service and affordability for RTW journeys, especially in Asia.
9. Qantas Airways
Qantas, Australia’s flagship carrier and a member of the OneWorld Alliance, provides great RTW options for travelers focusing on Australia, Asia, and the Pacific. With Qantas, you can fly to several destinations in Australia and beyond, with a flexible RTW program allowing you to visit up to 15 stopovers.
- Key Highlights: Excellent service, wide-ranging destinations in Australia and the Pacific, and competitive pricing for RTW tickets.
- Best For: Travelers planning to explore Australia, New Zealand, and Asia with a reliable, well-regarded airline.
10. ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA, part of the Star Alliance network, is one of Japan’s leading airlines and offers affordable RTW tickets. With its hub in Tokyo, ANA provides flights to various destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America. ANA is well-regarded for its excellent service and punctuality, offering a comfortable and cost-effective way to explore the world.
- Key Highlights: Great in-flight service, competitive pricing, and a strong network covering Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Best For: Travelers looking for comfort and quality at an affordable price with an emphasis on routes to Asia.
11. China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines is the largest airline in China and offers an RTW ticket program that allows you to travel across its expansive network of destinations, including Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Known for its competitive pricing, China Southern is an excellent option for travelers looking for affordable RTW flights, especially to and from Asia.
- Key Highlights: Extensive routes in Asia, competitive pricing, and a large number of stopover options.
- Best For: Budget-conscious travelers exploring destinations in Asia and beyond.
