The world’s top airlines honoured, and where Qantas landed at annual Skytrax awards
The world’s best airlines have been recognised at the Paris Air Show, dominated by the usual suspects. Where did Qantas land?
Qatar Airways has been named the world’s best airline for the second year in a row, which will benefit its partner, Virgin Australia, following the launch of new wet lease flights operated by the Gulf carrier.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards, described as “the Oscars of the aviation industry” are determined by online surveys filled out by more than 22 million customers of over 325 carriers.
It was the ninth time in the awards’ 26-year history Qatar Airways was crowned the winner. Singapore Airlines came second and Cathay Pacific third, ahead of Emirates and All Nippon Airways.
Turkish Airlines came in sixth, Korean Air seventh, with Air France, Japan Airlines and China’s Hainan Airlines rounding out the top 10.
Qantas moved up the rankings to 14th which is the airline’s best result since 2022 after slumping to 24th last year. The flying kangaroo was named the best carrier in the Australia-Pacific region, knocking off Fiji Airways, and made the global top 10 for best premium economy cabin and best in-flight entertainment.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the recognition from Skytrax reflected the airline’s “ongoing commitment to delivering for customers and was testament to the exceptional work of our people”.
“I want to sincerely thank our incredible team of more than 29,000 people around the world, who bring such passion and pride to the work they do every single day,” Ms Hudson said.
“This award belongs to them.”
Virgin Australia scored the gong for the best airline staff service in the Australia-Pacific, and came in second in the world’s best regional airlines’ category behind Bangkok Airways.
Skytrax chief executive Ed Plaisted said it was clear that “quality consistency” was valued by customers who voted in the awards.
“We’ve welcomed back a large number of previous winners and were also delighted to see new faces and airlines represented here today,” Mr Plaisted said at the awards ceremony at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday.
Singapore Airlines was recognised as having the world’s best cabin crew beating ANA and Cathay Pacific, and also claimed the gong for best first-class product.
Qatar Airways’ QSuites product was again rated as the best business class in the sky, Virgin Atlantic the best premium economy and Cathay Pacific best economy cabin.
In a remarkable run of success, AirAsia was named best low-cost carrier for the 16th consecutive year and Taiwanese airline Starlux won “most improved”.
Qatar Airways group chief executive Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said it was “an extraordinary honour” to be named as the world’s best airline for the ninth time, calling the recognition “much more than an award”.
“It is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline,” Mr Al-Meer said.
“To retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving global industry reflects the relentless efforts across every part of the business, from the frontline to behind the scenes, the passion and commitment of our people continue to set new standards in aviation.”
Qatar Airways acquired a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia this year, ahead of the launch of new daily flights from Sydney to Doha.
The services are being marketed and sold by Virgin Australia and operated by Qatar Airways’ aircraft and crew, in a wet lease arrangement of at least three years’ duration.
A new daily flight from Brisbane to Doha will begin on Thursday, with Perth-Doha to follow a week later, and from Melbourne in December.
The flights complement Qatar’s existing services from Australia to Doha. The airline is awaiting the government’s response to an application for a further 28 flights a week.
More Coverage
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout