World’s best airline for 2024 revealed

The popular airline has now won this prestigious title eight times. It was also voted as having the best business class and lounge.

Qatar Airways has done it again — it’s been named the World’s Best Airline for 2024.

The Doha-based airline reclaimed the title in the annual Skytrax’s World Airline Awards dubbed “the Oscars of the aviation industry”, returning to the top for an unprecedented eighth time.

The awards were held in London on Monday night, where more than 325 guests attended the event from airlines across the world.

Qatar Airways is cleaning up awards left, right and centre. It was named Skytrax’s best airline in the world for 2024 and also in Airlineratings.com.au.

The Doha-based carrier also took out the World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline in the Middle East, in the Skytrax awards. Picture: iStock

Last year’s winner, Singapore Airlines, fell back a spot to second place, while Emirates came third, followed by ANA All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, Air France and Swiss International Air Lines in 10th spot.

Qatar, a 5-star carrier, also received three other awards - World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline in the Middle East.

It’s also become the first aviation group to win Best Airline, Best Airport and Best Airport Shopping, in the same year in Skytrax history.

Singapore Airlines fell back a spot to second place, while Emirates came third. Picture: iStock

And if that’s not enough, it was also awarded the best airline in the world in the AirlineRatings.com awards in May.

“This is a proud moment for Qatar Airways. I am honoured to share this award with my dedicated team,” Qatar Airways group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said at the Skytrax event.

“This award is a testimony to our relentless commitment to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest level of excellence.”

The Skytrax awards are based on the votes of travellers across over 100 nationalities. The online customer survey was done from September 2023 to May 2024, and any airline in the world can be nominated.

Survey entries are screened to identify IP and user information, with all duplicate, suspect or ineligible entries deleted.

How did the Aussie airlines do

Qantas plummeted seven spots to be ranked 24 this year. Picture: iStock

Australian carrier Qantas plummeted seven spots to be ranked 24 this year, while Virgin Australia fell from 46 to 54 and Jetstar from 69 to 75.

However, Australian regional airline REX climbed from spot 56 to 50.

Meanwhile, for the second year running, Fiji Airways has been named the best airline in the Australia and Pacific region. It also jumped one spot to 14 in the world.

Virgin Australia fell from 46 to 54. Picture: iStock

Jetstar also fell from 69 to 75 but came second in the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines category, with competitor Scoot securing first place. Picture: iStock

Second place went to Air New Zealand, while Qantas came in third.

Fiji Airways was also awarded Best Airline Staff in Australia and Pacific for the fourth year in a row.

Chief executive officer and managing director, Andre Viljoen said the airline is committed “to delivering exceptional customer service”.

Fiji Airways has been named the best airline in the Australia and Pacific region. Second place went to Air New Zealand, while Qantas came in third.

Fiji Airways was also awarded Best Airline Staff in Australia and Pacific for the fourth year in a row.

“Our common purpose is that we fly for Fiji, so we’re committed to bringing our famous Fijian spirit and care to everything we do,” Viljoen said. “From booking a ticket, to stepping on-board, passengers are immersed in a genuine warmth and hospitality that only our team can provide.”

Fiji Airways executives were in London on 24th June 2024 to receive the award on behalf of the company.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said the airline’s reputation for product and service quality continues to improve, “and this has been highly recognised by customers with these top awards”.

Jetstar came second in the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines category, with competitor Scoot securing first place.

Norse Atlantic Airways came third, followed by Air Canada rouge and ZIPAIR.