Qatar Airways is named world’s best airline at ‘Oscars of Aviation’

Qatar Airways lands best airline in the world award at the ‘Oscars of Aviation’, easyJet is named No2 budget carrier, Air Canada best in North America and Singapore Airlines No1 for cabin crew

  • The 2019 World Airline Awards, voted for by 21 million travellers, was held at the Paris Air Show 
  • Qatar Airways was named the best airline for the fifth time, making it the first airline to achieve such a feat 
  • Singapore Airlines was lauded for having the world’s best first class cabins and best first class seats 
  • Air France got awards for having the best catering in first class and in first class airport lounges

Qatar Airways has been named the world’s best airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards – known as the Oscars of Aviation.

This year the ceremony was held at the Paris Air Show, with key industry figures from across the globe in attendance.

Other notable prize winners included Air Canada (best carrier in North America), Qantas (best airline in Australia), Singapore Airlines (best cabin crew), easyJet (second-best low-cost airline in the world, No1 in Europe) and Virgin Atlantic (best premium economy).

Qatar Airways has been named the world’s best airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards – known as the Oscars of Aviation. It was also named the best carrier in the Middle East, for a third successive year, and its patented Qsuite was named best business class (pictured) and the cabin with the best business class seats

Qatar Airways was named the best airline for the fifth time (it previously won in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017), making it the first airline to achieve such a feat 

Pictured are two middle seats in a Qsuite cabin converted to a double bed

SKYTRAX NORTH AMERICA AWARD-WINNERS FOR 2019

Air Canada – Best overall airline in North America

Delta Air Lines – Best airline staff in North America

Air Transat – Best leisure airline in North America

JetBlue Airways – Best regional airline in North America

Southwest Airlines – Best low-cost airline in North America

American Airlines – Best first class in North America

Air Canada – Best business class in North America

United Airlines – Best business class seat in North America

United Airlines – Most improved airline in North America

Qatar Airways was named the best airline for the fifth time (it previously won in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017), making it the first airline to achieve such a feat.

It was also named the best carrier in the Middle East, for a third successive year, and its patented Qsuite was named best business class and the cabin with the best business class seats.

Commenting on the quartet of accolades, Qatar Airways’ group chief executive, H.E. Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: ‘The Skytrax awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious in the airline industry, so to have won so many prizes at the 2019 ceremony is a truly thrilling experience for Qatar Airways.

‘It’s truly memorable to be globally recognised by our customers by winning these four prestigious awards.

‘Becoming the first airline to be named as Airline of the Year for the fifth time is a landmark achievement and, combined with three other major Skytrax awards, it is a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Qatar Airways team.

‘It is a proud moment for the airline as our constant innovation and service standards set the benchmark in our industry.’

Last year, Singapore Airlines was named the number one airline, but this year it was bumped to second place. The rest of the top 10 comprises ANA All Nippon Airways (third), Cathay Pacific (fourth), Emirates (fifth), EVA Air (sixth), Hainan Airlines (seventh), Qantas Airways (eighth), Lufthansa (ninth) and Thai Airways (tenth).

In the budget ranking, easyJet was beaten to the top spot by Malaysia-based AirAsia.

Norwegian slid from second place last year to third place for 2019, followed by Southwest Airlines (fourth), AirAsiaX (fifth), Jetstar Airways (sixth), WestJet (seventh) and India-headquartered Indigo (eighth). 

Last year, Singapore Airlines was named the number one airline, but this year it was bumped to second place. It was lauded, however, for having the world’s best first class cabins (pictured), best first class seats, being the best airline in Asia and employing the world’s best cabin crew

Air Canada was named the best carrier in North America and it also won the gong for best business class

Above, a view of Air Canada’s business class pods. Each one includes an entertainment screen and touch screen control panel to work the seat

And while Ryanair recently finished bottom of the respected Which? annual airline survey for the sixth consecutive year, it managed to come ninth on the Skytrax best low-cost airline leader board, with Eurowings rounding out the top ten. 

Although it missed out on the best airline title this year, Singapore Airlines was lauded for having the world’s best first-class cabins, with close contenders including Lufthansa (second), Air France (third), Etihad Airways (fourth), Qatar Airways (fifth), Emirates (sixth), ANA All Nippon Airways (seventh), Swiss (eighth), Qantas Airways (ninth) and Oman Air (tenth).

Singapore Airlines was also honoured for having the best first class seats and being the best airline in Asia.

Other airlines recognised for their top-notch stewards and stewardesses were Garuda Indonesia (second), ANA All Nippon Airways (third), Thai Airways (fourth), EVA Air (fifth), Cathay Pacific (sixth), Hainan Airlines (seventh), Japan Airlines (eighth), Qatar Airways (ninth) and China Airlines (tenth). 

In the global budget ranking, easyJet was beaten to the top spot by Malaysia-based AirAsia

Lufthansa came second in the world’s best first class cabin ranking. Above, Lufthansa’s first class offering onboard the A380 

Air France came third in the global first class cabin ranking (pictured is the carrier’s first class cabin) and won the gong for onboard catering in first

Ooh la la: An example of a dish served in Air France’s first class cabin

2019 SKYTRAX EUROPE AWARD-WINNERS

Lufthansa – Best airline in Europe

British Airways – Best airline staff in Europe

Austrian Airlines – Best cabin crew in Europe 

Finnair – Best airline in Northern Europe

Iberia – Best airline in Southern Europe

Aeroflot – Best airline in Eastern Europe 

EasyJet – Best low-cost airline in Europe 

Vueling Airlines – Best low-cost airline in Southern Europe

Wizz Air – Best low-cost airline in Eastern Europe

TUI Airways – Best Leisure airline in Europe

Virgin Atlantic – Best business class lounge in Europe

Austrian Airlines – Best business class catering in Europe

On the subject of hospitality, Air France got the award for having the best onboard catering in first class, ANA All Nippon Airways took home the same gong in the business class category, while Austrian Airlines did for premium economy and Taiwan-headquartered EVA Air claimed victory for economy. 

Putting on a fine spread for passengers before even stepping on to the plane, Air Canada won an award for having the best dining facilities in business class airport lounges and Air France took home the same accolade in the first class lounge division.

Food and drink aside, Swiss International Air Lines took home the title for having the best first class lounges overall, while United Airlines got gold for its business class lounge facilities.

Virgin Atlantic was recognised for having the best business class lounges in Europe.

The rest of the top 10 in the premium economy ranking was made up by Singapore Airlines (second), Air New Zealand (third), Austrian (fourth), Air Canada (fifth), Qantas Airways (sixth), Lufthansa (seventh), Virgin Australia (eighth), Aeroflot Russian Airlines (ninth) and Air France (tenth).

Japan Airlines bagged the best economy class title, beating Singapore Airlines (second), Qatar Airways (third),Thai Airways (fourth), ANA All Nippon Airways (fifth), Emirates (sixth), Cathay Pacific (seventh), Hainan Airlines (eighth), Lufthansa (ninth) and EVA Air (tenth).

In North America the rest of the spoils were shared among Air Transat (best leisure airline in North America), American Airlines (best first class in North America), Delta Air Lines (best airline staff in North America), JetBlue Airways (best regional airline in North America), Southwest Airlines (best low-cost airline in North America) and United Airlines (best business class seat in North America). 

American Airlines took home the gong for best first class in North America (pictured)

Delta Air Lines scored an award for having the best airline staff in North America

ANA All Nippon Airways was named the world’s third best airline and it came second in the best business class category. Above, a view of the airline’s roomy business class seats

WHY QATAR DESERVES ITS AWARDS 

I flew business class with Qatar Airways this year and was blown away. From the lounge to the seat to the service, it was pretty much 10 out of 10 every step of the way. The Heathrow lounge, for instance, had a statement water fountain that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star hotel lobby – and there are actual olive trees running up through the tables. The suite itself is masterfully designed, with faultless ergonomics. And the ability to turn the middle seats into a bed is a brilliant concept. And the service is just so graceful and serene.

Qatar Airways is the trailblazer for industry standards in so many ways. Congratulations.

Read my full Qsuite review here. 

Ted Thornhill, MailOnline Travel Editor

Other notable successes in Europe include British Airways (best airline staff in Europe), Finnair (best airline in Northern Europe) and Iberia (best airline in Southern Europe).

Celebrating its 19th anniversary, the World Airline Awards were introduced in 1999 to ‘provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global’ and claim to be the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey.

Each year, travellers across the globe decide the winners and can vote in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.

For the 2019 awards, between September 2018 and May 2019, more than 100 nationalities participated in the survey with 21.65 million entries submitted.

More than 300 airlines are featured.

Commenting on the results this year, Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: ‘To be named as the World’s Best Airline is a great recognition of Qatar Airways’ high standards, and recognises the hard work and dedication from every member of staff to satisfy customers.

‘To achieve this accolade for a fifth time is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them for this unique success.’

SKYTRAX GLOBAL AWARD-WINNERS FOR 2019 

The world’s top 10 airlines 

1. Qatar Airways

2. Singapore Airlines

3. ANA All Nippon Airways

4. Cathay Pacific

5. Emirates

6. EVA Air

7. Hainan Airlines

8. Qantas Airways

9. Lufthansa

10. Thai Airways

World’s best cabin staff

1. Singapore Airlines

2. Garuda Indonesia

3. ANA All Nippon Airways

4. Thai Airways

5. EVA Air

6. Cathay Pacific

7. Hainan Airlines

8. Japan Airlines

9. Qatar Airways

10. China Airlines

World’s best low-cost airlines

1. AirAsia

2. easyJet

3. Norwegian

4. Southwest Airlines

5. AirAsiaX

6. Jetstar Airways

7. WestJet

8. Indigo

9. Ryanair

10. Eurowings

The world’s cleanest airlines

1. EVA Air

2. Japan Airlines

3. ANA All Nippon Airways

4. Singapore Airlines

5. Asiana Airlines

6. Hainan Airlines

7. Swiss Int’l Air Lines

8. Cathay Pacific

9. Qatar Airways

10. Lufthansa

Best economy class

1. Japan Airlines

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Qatar Airways

4. Thai Airways

5. ANA All Nippon Airways

6. Emirates

7. Cathay Pacific

8. Hainan Airlines

9. Lufthansa

10. EVA Air

Best premium economy class

1. Virgin Atlantic

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Air New Zealand

4. Austrian

5. Air Canada

6. Qantas Airways

7. Lufthansa

8. Virgin Australia

9. Aeroflot Russian Airlines

10. Air France

Best business class

1. Qatar Airways

2. ANA All Nippon Airways

3. Singapore Airlines

4. Emirates

5. Qantas Airways

6. Hainan Airlines

7. Thai Airways

8. Etihad Airways

9. Cathay Pacific

10. Garuda Indonesia

Best first class 

1. Singapore Airlines

2. Lufthansa

3. Air France

4. Etihad Airways

5. Qatar Airways

6. Emirates

7. ANA All Nippon Airways

8. Swiss

9. Qantas Airways

10. Oman Air 

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