Recently, Qatar Airways’ home and hub, Hamad International Airport, was named ‘World’s Best Airport’ in 2024 by Skytrax for the third time. The airport also received the award for ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the tenth time, and the airport’s retail, Qatar Duty Free, received ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the second consecutive year. This remarkable achievement is the first time that an airline, an airport, and the airport’s retail have been crowned as ‘World’s Best’ in all three Skytrax categories.
This year is the eighth time since 2011 that Qatar Airways has been awarded Airline of the year. The Skytrax World Airline Awards, widely regarded as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry’, represent the pinnacle of excellence in aviation.
Commenting on this achievement, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “This is a proud moment for Qatar Airways. I am honoured to share this award with my dedicated team. This award is a testimony to our relentless commitment to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest level of excellence.”
Skytrax Chief Executive Officer, Edward Plaisted, remarked: “Qatar Airways’ impressive achievement of winning the Airline of the Year title for the eighth time, alongside three additional top accolades, is a true testament to the airline’s high standards and dedication. Qatar Airways was and will continue to be customers’ favourite airline.”
The comprehensive list of awards won by Qatar Airways at the Skytrax 2024 World Airline Awards include:
Airline of the Yea
World’s Best Business Class
World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge
Best Airline in the Middle East
The 2023 Airline of the Year winner, Singapore Airlines, was ranked No 2 in the world for 2024, with Emirates in third place, ANA All Nippon Airways fourth, and Cathay Pacific in fifth position, out of more than 350 airlines included in the survey results.
Singapore Airlines took top honours with the award for the World’s Best Cabin Staff and their First Class Suites continuing to dominate by winning the award as the World’s Best First Class. In one of the most competitive global regions for airline service standards, Singapore Airlines also scooped the accolade for the Best Airline in Asia.
ANA All Nippon Airways achieves the No 4 global ranking, repeating earlier success by winning the award for the World’s Best Airport Services. ANA also won the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in Asia.
Saudi Arabian Airlines wins the 2024 award as the World’s Most Improved Airline, ahead of STARLUX Airlines in 2nd place and PLAY in 3rd position. This award reflects an airline’s Quality improvement across the entire Awards programme, evaluating each airline’s change in the global rating, and their performance in different award categories.
AirAsia was the repeat winner of the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline award, a title it has won each year since 2010. Scoot received a top award as the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.
Spanish airline, Volotea, received the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe, a great achievement for such a competitive cost airline market. Transavia France was ranked No 2 in Europe, and Vueling in third place.
The award for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline was won by British Airways. This award covers many aspects of the experience, including family seating policies, family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, children’s amenities / toys / activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, child luggage and policies for carrycot / pushchairs, and the standards of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during the family travel experience.
Plaza Premium received the award as the World’s Best Independent Airport Loungeoperator, with its Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport ranking top in 2024.
Cathay Pacific received the award for the World’s Best Economy Class, with Japan Airlines winning the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class.
The Best Regional Airline Awards are for full service airlines that primarily operate domestic and / or International flights up to approx. 6 hours. Topping the global ratings as the World’s Best Regional Airline is the repeat winner Bangkok Airways, and for the eighth consecutive year has proven to be a true customer favourite.
In the India / South Asia region, Vistara reigns supreme and was again named winner of the Best Airline in India / South Asia award, in addition to Best Airline Staff Service for the region.
Fiji Airways secured the Best Airline in Australia / Pacificfor the second time, and also won the award as the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific.
In North America, Delta Air Lines received the awards as the Best Airline in North America, also collecting the top award for the Best Airline Staff Servicefor the region.
Allegiant Air received the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America for the first time, in what is a very competitive LCC market.
Air Transat were named the World’s Best Leisure Airline, an award the Canadian airline has won on five previous occasions.
Ethiopian Airlines has won the Best Airline in Africa award for the sixth consecutive year, Turkish Airlines was the Best Airline in Europe, Hainan Airlines was named the Best Airline in China and airBaltic won the award as the Best Airline in Eastern Europe.
Turkish Airlines was also recognised for its very high catering standards with the Best Business Class Cateringaward.
Air France was a multiple winner in 2024, with three awards for the World’s Best First Class Catering, the Best First Class Lounge Dining (CDG) and the Best Airline in Western Europe.
Star Alliance collected the award as the World’s Best Airline Alliance and also won the Best Airline Alliance Lounge award for its new Paris CDG Airport lounge.
The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2024
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- EVA Air
- Air France
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Korean Air
- Hainan Airlines
- British Airways
- Fiji Airways
- Iberia
- Vistara
- Virgin Atlantic
- Lufthansa
- Etihad Airways
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Garuda Indonesia
- EVA Air
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Malaysia Airlines
The World’s Cleanest Airlines in 2024
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- EVA Air
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- China Airlines
- Korean Air
The World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges in 2024
- Plaza Premium – FCO
- America Express Centurion – JFK
- Pearl Lounge – BAH
- Sapphire Lounge by The Club – LGA
- Plaza Premium – DXB
- Air Transat
- SunExpress
- TUI Airways
- Condor Airlines
- TUIfly
The World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines in 2024
- Scoot
- Jetstar Airways
- Norse Atlantic Airways
- Air Canada rouge
- ZIPAIR
A number of Best Airline Staff Service awards were presented, these being important awards that recognise the combined airline staff service standards across both the airport and the onboard experience. Iberia was the winner of the Best Airline Staff Service in Europe, Kenya Airways was the winner of the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa, and Oman Air triumphed by winning the Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East region award.
Tags: Skytrax, Edward Plaisted, Qatar Airways
