Travellers vote Qantas into the world’s top five airlines

Qantas has been ranked the world’s fifth best airline and the region’s top carrier in the ‘Oscars of the aviation industry’, the annual Skytrax awards.

Despite its well-publicised performance woes, Qantas moved up three places in the annual Skytrax airline awards to be ranked fifth best in the world. Picture: AFP

Qantas has been ranked the world’s fifth best airline and the region’s top carrier in the “Oscars of the aviation industry”, the ­annual Skytrax awards.

Presented in London on the weekend, Qatar Airways took out the top prize for the seventh time followed by Singapore ­Airlines, Emirates and All ­Nippon Airways.

The awards are based on the results of customer surveys, with more than 13 million returned in the relevant period, from September 2021 to August 2022.

In the major airline category, Qantas moved up three places from eighth to fifth, despite the carrier’s well-publicised performance issues over the past six months.

Flight delays, mass cancellations and a mishandled baggage rate of up to 12 in 1000 prompted several public apologies from ­executives including CEO Alan Joyce. Recent data suggested Qantas was lifting its game, with on-time performance improving significantly in August and September, cancellations falling and fewer mishandled bags.

Over 300 airlines were in the running for the awards, which organisers noted were a little ­different in 2022 due to the ­“varying operational levels of some airlines” affected by ­ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. “China’s borders effectively still remain closed due to their Covid zero policy, which has meant very few international flights being ­operated for the last 2.5 years,” organisers said.

Qatar Airways’ popular QSuite saw the airline take out the business class category as well as being named world’s best airline by Skytrax.

Despite the slightly altered aviation landscape, Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said Qatar Airways’ repeated success in the awards was a “unique and remarkable achievement”.

“Qatar Airways was the largest airline to have flown consistently throughout the Covid-19 pandemic with their network never falling below 30 destinations,” Mr Plaisted said.

“That determination has clearly been well recognised by customers with this award as ­airline of the year 2022.”

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the win coincided with the airline’s 25th anniversary making it “even more rewarding”.

“To be named as the world’s best airline was always a goal when Qatar Airways was created, but to win it for the seventh time and pick up three additional awards is a testament to all the hard work of our incredible employees,” he said.

In addition to its top five ranking overall, Qantas managed a third in the best premium economy category, and sixth in best business class cabin and best economy class.

On a regional basis, the flying kangaroo landed at the top of its class for the Australia-Pacific, ahead of Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways, with Virgin Australia fourth and Qantas subsidiary Jetstar fifth. Jetstar was also ranked the world’s second best low-cost carrier behind Scoot, up four ­places on previous years.