Australia's national carrier Qantas has been voted worst international airline in a consumer survey.

The survey of 4,000 subscribers to consumer magazine Choice also found Qantas' low-cost subsidiary Jetstar to be the worst domestic airline in Australia.

Singapore Airlines was voted top international airline while minnow Regional Express was the favoured domestic operator.

Choice asked subscribers to rate airlines for value for money, booking processes, convenience, the check-in procedure, inflight service, including food and entertainment, as well as seat comfort, legroom and cleanliness.

Qantas scored 63 per cent compared to Singapore Airline's 78 per cent.

On the domestic front, Qantas fared little better with a 67 per cent rating, with consumers labelling the service "arrogant and aloof", while Jetstar scored just 62 per cent.

One respondent described Jetstar staff as "uniformly surly, unhelpful and most definitely unwelcoming".

Regional Express won a survey-high rating of 79 per cent followed by Virgin Blue with 71 per cent.

"Virgin Blue staff attempt to make what is a reasonably unpleasant experience flying with a no-frills service, light-hearted and enjoyable," one respondent said.

One possible reason Qantas may have fared so poorly is that people may be more critical of their national carrier, the magazine suggested.

Travellers said they continued to fly with Qantas to earn frequent flyer points even though they rated the airline significantly lower than average.