Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia cop brutal hit on world stage

Qantas previously held the title of world’s fifth best airline, but today things look very different – and it’s not the only airline to cop it.

The reputation of Australia’s major airlines have taken a hit on the world stage – again.

Skytrax’s 2024 World Airline Awards dubbed “the Oscars of the aviation industry” were announced in London this week and it was not a happy result for our carriers down under.

Only two years ago, Qantas held the impressive title as the world’s fifth best airline, but took a brutal hit when it plummeted 12 spots to be ranked 17 last year.

The national carrier had defended itself at the time, claiming “if you ran this survey today [in June, 2023], the results would be very different”.

However, the annual customer survey was done again from September 2023 to May 2024, causing the Flying Kangaroo to fall on the ranking even further to 24.

Qantas held the title as fifth best airline in the world two years ago, and is now in spot 24. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

In response to the result, a Qantas spokesperson said: “We have been listening to our customers and our people and have been acting on this feedback with significant investment already underway.

“We want our customers to feel the difference from the changes that we have put in place and in recent months we have seen customer satisfaction levels improve.”

Vanessa Hudson took over as CEO of the Qantas Group in September, replacing Alan Joyce.

Mr Joyce was due to retire in November, but brought his exit forward two months so the company could “move ahead with its renewal as a priority” under new management.

Vanessa Hudson took over as Qantas Group CEO in September 2023. Picture: David Gray / AFP

The Qantas Group’s budget airline Jetstar, which fell from 57 and to 69 last year, also dropped even further to spot 75.

The silver lining is Jetstar maintained second place for the world’s best long-haul low-cost airline for the fourth year in a row.

“We are pleased to have been recognised among the world’s top long-haul low cost carriers,” a Jetstar spokesperson said.

“We are continuing to work hard to deliver great low fares and significant improvements in reliability all the while growing our fleet and network.”

Rival airline Virgin Australia, which fell slightly from 43 and 46 last year, slipped again to 54 in the latest ranking.

Rex was the only Aussie airline to climb, moving from spot 56 to 50. Last year, it had climbed its way up from spot 72.

It also kept its title as ‘Best Regional Airline in Australia / Pacific’.

Rex has climbed up the ranking while other Aussie airlines fall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Qantas did secure some awards among airlines in Australia and the Pacific, despite its sad result on the world ranking.

It was considered to have the best business class and best premium economy class in the region, as well as being the cleanest airline with the best on-board catering for economy and premium economy.

Fiji Airways took out the title as ‘Best Airline in Australia / Pacific’.

Qatar Airways was voted the world’s best airline.

The awards are based on surveys of travellers across over 100 nationalities. The surveys were done between September 2023 to May 2024, and any airline in the world can be nominated.

News.com.au contacted Virgin Australia.