It’s official. Qatar Airways is the best.
The first titbits of news from the 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards have trickled through this morning, and according to CNN Qatar has come out on top.
The awards, held at the Paris Air Show overnight, were decided by 18.9 million passengers in 110 countries worldwide, with the judging based on everything from the quality of their food and the comfort of their seats to the friendliness of their cabin crew.
Qatar took the crown back in 2011 and 2012, and has twice been voted runner-up, with the airline also taking home prizes for best airline in the Middle East and best business class seat.
No official top 10 order has been announced by Skytrax, but according to CNN, the top include:
- ANA
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- EVA
- Garuda Indonesia
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines and
- Turkish Airlines
In other podium news, AirAsia was voted the World’s Best Low Cost Airline and Asia’s Best Low Cost Airline for the seventh consecutive year.
“We faced many challenges this past year but I am proud to say that our staff banded together for our guests and we have emerged stronger than ever,” AirAsia’s group ceo Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said, with the gold coming just six months after the fatal QZ8501 flight crashed into the Java Sea, killing all 162 on board.
A typical crowd pleaser, Air New Zealand swept the board, taking home all three ‘Premium Economy’ awards, with World’s Best Premium Economy Class, Best Premium Economy Class airline seat and Best Premium Economy onboard catering.
In addition to scooping all three Premium Economy awards the Air New Zealand managed Star Alliance Los Angeles Lounge won Best Airline Alliance Lounge.
Air New Zealand’s award-winning Premium Economy will also be available on the airline’s Tasman, Pacific Island and Bali services shortly.
Air Astana, the Kazakhstan flag carrier, polished off its gold medal as Best Airline Central Asia / India for the fourth successive year, and Best Airline Staff Service Central Asia/India for the third year running.
When it came to service and food, Austrian Airlines had it in the bag, winning first place in the Best Airline Staff Service in Europe category, as well as the Best Business Class Catering award.
Garuda Indonesia’s cabin crew were feted as the best in the world, while Air France was hailed as the “most improved” airline, according to CNN.
Last year’s winner of the top prize, Cathay Pacific, took home the award for best transpacific airline, while Germany’s Lufthansa stole the spotlight for the transatlantic route.
Taiwanese carrier EVA Air got a pat on the back for having the cleanest aircraft cabins, while Oneworld was rated the best airline alliance, and Emirates won for its entertainment system.
Virgin America scored a trifecta, winning ‘Best Airline in North America’ for the first time, ‘Best Low-Cost Airline in the U.S.’ for the fifth consecutive year and Best Staff Service among North American airlines for the fourth consecutive year.
Turkish Airlines also scored big, winning Best Airline in Europe, Best Airline in Southern Europe and World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, as well as World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining.
It’s been a big night of awards, and there’s plenty more where this came from, but for now, take a quick perusal of the partying podium winners.
