Qatar Airways has been named the world’s best airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Named the best airline for the fifth time, it’s become the first airline to achieve such a feat. It was also named the best carrier in the Middle East, for a third successive year – it’s patented Qsuite was named best business class and the cabin with the best business class seats.
Qatar Airways group chief executive, H.E Mr Akbar Al Baker told The Daily Mail:
‘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 memorable experience for Qatar Airways.
‘We are thrilled 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.’
This year, the ceremony was held at the Paris Air Show.
Other notable 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 the world) and Virgin Atlantic (best premium economy).
Singapore Airlines was named the number one airline in 2018, but this year dropped to second in the rankings. The top 10 included: 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, Malaysia-based AirAsia beat easyJet to the top spot.
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).
See below for the full 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
Congratulations to the 2019 winners!
