Picking the best airline to fly to Europe makes the long journey to Europe a whole lot smoother. Whether you're after comfort, convenience or just a smooth run with the kids, it helps to know who flies where and what’s included. 

Some airlines throw in baggage, meals, and seat selection. Others charge extra. If you’re planning to stretch out, catch some sleep, or binge movies all the way to London or Rome, we’ve lined up the top airlines to get you there.

Based in: Sydney, Australia.

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns, Hobart, and more.

Where in Europe you can go: London, Paris, Rome.

What’s included? 30kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, and entertainment.

Qantas is Australia’s pride and has just been named Best Airline in Australia-Pacific at the 2025 Skytrax Awards. It ranked 14th globally, jumping 10 spots thanks to improved service, new aircraft, and better lounges. The direct Perth to London flight is a game-changer for those who want to skip the long layovers. With partnerships across Europe, Qantas also makes it easy to keep everything under one booking.

Based in: Doha, Qatar.

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra.

Where in Europe you can go: London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Zurich, Madrid, Berlin, and over 30+ other cities.

What’s included? From 20kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, entertainment, and Wi-Fi (some free access).

Qatar Airways is all about service. With award-winning seats and one of the world’s best business class cabins (hello, Qsuite), it’s a top pick for Aussie travellers. Flights from Australia use modern aircraft like the Airbus A350, with roomy cabins and whisper-quiet engines. Stopovers in Doha come with bonus perks, like city tours or hotel stays.

Based in: Singapore.

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Cairns.

Where in Europe you can go: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Copenhagen, Rome, Milan, Manchester. Brussels, Munich, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Istanbul.

What’s included? From 23kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, entertainment, and Wi-Fi (limited free access).

Voted second-best airline in the world in 2025, Singapore Airlines sets the bar for reliability and onboard comfort. It picked up awards for World’s Best First Class and Best Cabin Crew, which says plenty. The transit through Changi is a breeze, too; think free movie theatres, sunflower gardens, and clean, comfy lounges.

Based in: Dubai, UAE.

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.

Where in Europe you can go: London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Vienna, Prague, Geneva, and 30+ more cities.

What’s included? From 20kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, entertainment, and Wi-Fi (some free).

Emirates nails long-haul travel with roomy cabins, heaps of entertainment, and consistently good service. Its flagship A380 flies on most Aussie routes, so you can expect smooth rides and quieter cabins. Keen to rack up some frequent flyer points? Emirates is a Qantas partner, so you can use or earn points on this route. 

Based in: Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne.

Where in Europe you can go: London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Dublin, Amsterdam, and more.

What’s included? From 23kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, and entertainment.

Etihad is a solid option if you’re after a bit of comfort without splashing out too much. The airline flies newer planes like the Dreamliner on many Aussie routes, and the service is generally consistent. Abu Dhabi is easy to transit through, and stopovers can be paired with hotel deals.

Based in: Istanbul, Turkey

Where it flies from in Australia: Melbourne, Sydney

Where in Europe you can go: Over 100 destinations, including Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest.

What’s included? From 20kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, and entertainment.

Turkish Airlines has one of the biggest networks in Europe. The food is better than most, and the service is consistent. Want to take advantage of a long layover in Istanbul? The airline offers free hotel stays or city tours for qualifying tickets, which is a pretty decent bonus.

Based in: Hong Kong

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns.

Where in Europe you can go: London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Munich, Amsterdam, and Manchester.

What’s included? From 20kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, entertainment, and Wi-Fi (some free).

Cathay Pacific flies via Hong Kong and is known for great service, clean cabins, and decent food. It came in third place at the 2025 Skytrax Awards and is a good pick if you want a comfortable flight and a simple transit experience. Hong Kong Airport is efficient and one of the easiest to navigate.

Based in: Bangkok, Thailand

Where it flies from in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth

Where in Europe you can go: London, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Brussels, Copenhagen, Paris, Milan, Oslo, Stockholm, and Istanbul.

What’s included? From 23kg checked baggage, meals, seat selection, and entertainment.

Thai Airways brings a touch of Thai hospitality to the skies and is a reliable full-service option with friendly cabin crews and competitive pricing. Bangkok is a popular and budget-friendly stopover spot with heaps to do if you’ve got a longer layover. Upgrades to Thai Airways’ fleet and service are ongoing, so it’s an interesting option to keep your eye on.

Start with what matters to you. After the cheapest fare? Look for the best deal on price. Prefer to get there quicker? Go for airlines with fewer stops or better flight times. Travelling with the fam? Check what they offer for kids. 

Baggage allowance, meals, and seat choice all add up too. And, if you’re a frequent flyer, loyalty perks might tip the scales.

Unless you’re flying from Perth to London, Paris or Rome, you will need to make a stopover along the way. 

Singapore, Dubai, and Doha are your best bets. They’re built for stopovers with comfy lounges, fast transfers, and even sightseeing options if you’ve got time to kill. Singapore is top-notch for families, Dubai is loaded with luxury, and Doha is smooth and modern.

If you’re flying with Etihad, Turkish Airways, Emirates, Qatar or Singapore Airlines, you can even break up the journey with a free or very cheap stopover deal. These may offer you free accommodation or city tours between your flights. 

Qantas tops the list in 2025 as the world’s safest airline. Also scoring high are Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air New Zealand, and Cathay Pacific. These airlines have long histories of safe operations and consistently meet top international standards.

Qantas again comes out ahead for reliability, thanks to its low cancellation rates and strong on-time performance. Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways also get the thumbs-up for consistent service, modern fleets, and efficient schedules.

Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates lead the pack. These airlines are known for premium touches in all cabins. Cathay Pacific and ANA are up there too, especially for service and comfort. Want to treat yourself? These are your go-to picks.

Choosing the right airline can help you arrive fresher, with less hassle along the way. Whether you’re chasing comfort, value, or somewhere easy to stop and recharge, there’s an option that ticks the boxes. We’re here to make your travel planning as easy as possible. Book your flights, places to stay, and experiences all in one go with Traveloka.