Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards, marking the eighth time the airline has secured the Airline of the Year title in the 25-year history of the awards. Vistara was named the Best Airline in India / South Asia, also winning the Best Airline Staff Service for the region.
Singapore Airlines, the 2023 Airline of the Year winner, was ranked No. 2 in the world for 2024, followed by Emirates in third place, ANA All Nippon Airways in fourth, and Cathay Pacific in fifth out of more than 350 airlines included in the survey results. Cathay Pacific received the award for the World’s Best Economy Class, and Japan Airlines won the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class.
AirAsia continued its winning streak as the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, a title it has held since 2010, while Scoot received the top award as the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline. Spanish airline Volotea was recognized as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe, with Transavia France and Vueling taking second and third places.
The 2024 World Airline Awards were announced during a gala ceremony on Monday, June 24th, 2024, at the iconic Fairmont Windsor Park near London Heathrow Airport. Over 325 guests attended the event, including numerous airline CEOs, Presidents, and senior management who came to accept their awards. As is customary at the World Airline Awards, many uniformed airline staff proudly represented their corporate brands.
In addition to being named the World’s Best Airline for 2024, Qatar Airways also received top honours for the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Lounge, and the Best Airline in the Middle East.
Singapore Airlines was awarded the World’s Best Cabin Staff and the World’s Best First Class. It also won the accolade for the Best Airline in Asia. ANA All Nippon Airways, ranked No. 4 globally, repeated its success by winning the award for the World’s Best Airport Services and the Best Airline Staff Service in Asia.
Air France was a multiple winner in 2024, with three awards for the World’s Best First Class Catering, Best First Class Lounge Dining (CDG), and Best Airline in Western Europe. Star Alliance collected the awards for the World’s Best Airline Alliance and Best Airline Alliance Lounge for its new Paris CDG Airport lounge.
Star Alliance has been honoured with the title of World’s Best Airline Alliance once again at this year’s prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. The Alliance’s newly launched Paris Charles de Gaulle airport lounge has also won the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge title in its first year.
Vistara is the only Indian airline to be listed among the World’s Top 20 Airlines and is ranked 8th among the Best Airlines in Asia. Vistara also won several other awards, including Best Airline in India and South Asia, Best Airline Staff Service in India and South Asia, Best Cabin Crew in India and South Asia, Best Business Class Airline in India and South Asia, Best Business Class Onboard Catering in India and South Asia, Best Economy Class in India and South Asia, Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in India and South Asia, and Cleanest Airline in India and South Asia. It is ranked 16th worldwide.
The Oscars of the Aviation Industry
The World Airline Awards, often dubbed the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” began in 1999. They remain entirely independent and impartial, with all customer survey costs and awards events funded by the organizers, Skytrax.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, stated, “This is a proud Qatar Airways moment and it is my honour to share this award with my hardworking colleagues. This award is a testimony to our relentless dedication to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to more wins in the future.”
Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara said, “This achievement is a heart-warming moment for all of us at Vistara, one that befittingly recognises and celebrates our collective accomplishments over the last nine years. Being awarded as the Best Airline in India and South Asia yet again and Best Airline Staff Service in India and South Asia for the sixth time, among other accolades, underpins our relentless pursuit of excellence that has made Vistara win over the hearts of millions of customers globally. The fact that we continue to remain the 16th best airline in the world, speaks volumes about our commitment to consistently offer a world-class experience to our customers. On behalf of the entire team at Vistara, I would like to thank Skytrax for these distinguished honours that recognise the exceptional efforts and perseverance of the entire team, especially those on the frontline.”
Celebrating the occasion, Star Alliance CEO Mr Theo Panagiotoulias said: “We are humbled to learn that millions of customers voted and made us the best yet again. Not only does this acknowledge the effort we dedicate to making customer journeys seamless, but it also motivates us further to achieve more.”
Saudi Arabian Airlines was named the World’s Most Improved Airline for 2024, ahead of STARLUX Airlines and PLAY in second and third positions, respectively. This award reflects significant quality improvements across the entire awards program.
British Airways won the award for the World’s Most Family-Friendly Airline. This award covers aspects such as family seating policies, family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, amenities, entertainment, and service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during family travel.
Plaza Premium was awarded the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator, with its lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport ranking top for 2024.
Bangkok Airways topped the global ratings as the World’s Best Regional Airline, continuing its eight-year winning streak. Fiji Airways secured the Best Airline in Australia/Pacific for the second time and won the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia/Pacific.
In North America, Delta Air Lines received the awards for Best Airline in North America and Best Airline Staff Service for the region. Allegiant Air was recognized as the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America for the first time, while Air Transat was named the World’s Best Leisure Airline.
Ethiopian Airlines won the Best Airline in Africa award for the sixth consecutive year. Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe and recognized for its high catering standards with the Best Business Class Catering award. Hainan Airlines was named the Best Airline in China, and airBaltic won the award for Best Airline in Eastern Europe.
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
Best Cabin Staff in 2024: Singapore Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines
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
Best Independent Airport Lounges in 2024: Plaza Premium – FCO,, American Express Centurion – JFK, Pearl Lounge – BAH, Sapphire Lounge by The Club – LGA, Plaza Premium – DXB, Best Leisure Airlines in 2024, Air Transat, SunExpress, TUI Airways, Condor Airlines, TUIfly
Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines in 2024: Scoot, Jetstar Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, Air Canada Rouge, ZIPAIR
Staff Service Excellence: Several airlines received awards for Best Airline Staff Service, recognizing combined service standards across the airport and onboard experiences. Iberia won for Europe, Kenya Airways for Africa, and Oman Air for the Middle East.
Best by Cabin Class: World’s Best First-Class Airline: Singapore Airlines, World’s Best Business Class Airline: Qatar Airways, World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline: Japan Airlines, World’s Best Economy Class Airline: Cathay Pacific Airways
Also Read
Tourism Poised to Smash Records in 2024: WTTC
Watch on Youtube
