Human beings weren’t designed to fly through the sky at 40,000 feet in a pressurized metal tube – with our aching limbs, burbling gastric systems and willful propensity to annoy other airborne human beings.
If, however, we absolutely must, the way to make that experience the best it can possibly be is to fly with Qatar Airways.
At least that’s the verdict from this year’s Skytrax Awards, which were announced Monday.
For the eighth time in the 25-year history of the prestigious awards – known as the Oscars of commercial aviation – Qatar was named the World’s Best Airline, in recognition of the quality of service it offers passengers on its modern fleet.
“This is a remarkable achievement for Qatar Airways to win this World’s Best Airline title for 2024, the eighth time they have triumphed,” Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said in a statement to mark the award ceremony, which gathered airline execs and cabin crew in a manor house near London’s Heathrow Airport.
“We congratulate Qatar Airways on this success which should be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the airline management and staff.”
The Middle Eastern carrier has built a strong reputation over the past decade, helping Qatar’s award-winning Hamad International Airport establish itself as a global aviation hub to challenge regional rivals Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Qatar’s fleet of 230 airplanes ranges from its 10 much-loved A380 superjumbos, to Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-8s and 787-9s, Airbus A350-900s and A350-1000s, plus a range of smaller capacity jets.
“This is a proud Qatar Airways moment and it is my honor to share this award with my hard working colleagues,” the airline’s CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in a statement released by Skytrax.
“This award is testimony to our relentless dedication to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to more wins in the future.”
Close-run contest
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Qatar’s victory meant second place for last year’s winner, Singapore Airlines, but only just.
UK-based Skytrax said the votes, gathered from surveys of more than 21 million customers from 100 countries about 350 airlines, were the closest run since the awards began in 1999, requiring a recount.
The rest of the top 10 was, once again, devoid of North American airlines, with Dubai’s Emirates airline in third, Japan’s ANA All Nippon Airways in fourth, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific in fifth, Japan Airlines in sixth, Turkish Airlines is seventh, Taiwan’s EVA Air in eighth, Air France in ninth and Swiss International Airlines in 10th.
There were plenty of consolation prizes.
Five-time winner Singapore picked up the prize for World’s Best Cabin Staff – an achievement senior VP, Tan Pee Teck, put down to the “unwavering dedication and professionalism” of its in-air teams. Singapore also won for Best First Class service and Best Airline in Asia.
ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwan’s Starlux and Iceland’s Play into second and third places.
At the budget end of flying, AirAsia was once again crowned the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline – repeating an achievement it has made every year since 2010. Singapore’s Scoot was named the World’s Best Long Haul-Low Cost Airline.
AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes said his airline’s unwavering success was thanks to the work of its “Allstars” cabin crew coupled with strong brand loyalty.
“No other companies come to my mind in achieving such a winning streak, and we are very proud of it,” he said in a statement. We dedicate this award to all of our Allstars who work tirelessly to make today happen, and also to everyone who has remained loyal to us through the ups and downs AirAsia has experienced.”
Still in Asia, Bangkok Airways picked up the World’s Best Regional Airline prize for the eighth consecutive year, while Vistara was named best India/South Asian carrier and Fiji Airways was Best Airline in the Australia/Pacific region.
Ethiopian Airlines was named Africa’s best, for the sixth year in a row. Turkish Airlines was Europe’s best, airBaltic was Eastern Europe’s winner and Hainan Airlines was best in China.
Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.
The post-Covid world of heightened germ awareness, the top 10 of the World’s Cleanest Airlines were mostly based in Asia. Cathay Pacific took the top spot, with ANA, EVA, Qatar and Singapore lining up next.
The World’s Top 20 Airlines of 2024
1. Qatar Airways2. Singapore Airlines3. Emirates4. ANA All Nippon Airways5. Cathay Pacific6. Japan Airlines7. Turkish Airlines8. EVA Air9. Air France10. Swiss International Air Lines11. Korean Air12. Hainan Airlines13. British Airways14. Fiji Airways15. Iberia16. Vistara17. Virgin Atlantic18. Lufthansa19. Etihad Airways20. Saudi Arabian Airlines
The World’s Best Cabin Crew 2024
1. Singapore Airlines2. ANA All Nippon Airways3. Garuda Indonesia4. EVA Air5. Cathay Pacific Airways6. Hainan Airlines7. Japan Airlines8. Thai Airways9. Qatar Airways10. Malaysia Airlines
World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2024
1. AirAsia2. Volotea3. Flynas4. Transavia France5. Indigo6. Vueling Airlines7. airBaltic8. Iberia Express9. Ryanair10. easyJet11. flyDubai12. Jet2.com13. Eurowings14. SKY Airline15. JetSMART Airlines
The World’s Best Regional Airlines 2024
1. Bangkok Airways2. Aegean Airlines3. Azerbaijan Airlines4. Rex Airlines5. Azul Brazilian Airlines6. Virgin Australia7. Royal Air Maroc8. Porter Airlines9. Alaska Airlines10. Hong Kong Airlines
The World’s Cleanest Airlines 2024
1 Cathay Pacific Airways2 ANA All Nippon Airways3 EVA Air4 Qatar Airways5 Singapore Airlines6 Asiana Airlines7 Hainan Airlines8 Japan Airlines9 China Airlines10 Korean Air
The full list of winners can be found on the Skytrax website
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