MIDDLE EASTERN AND Asian airlines have dominated an annual list of the world’s best airlines, based on passenger reviews.
Qatar Airways took out the top spot at this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards, which were announced at the Paris Air Show, after last year finishing second in the rankings.
The passengers’ choice awards, which have been run for over 15 years by UK-based Skytrax, were based on over 18 million completed surveys covering everything from the friendliness of cabin crew to the quality of airline food.
Last year’s winner, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, slid to third in the rankings while Turkish Airlines and Australian national carrier Qantas were the only two airlines from outside the Middle East and eastern Asia to make the top 10.
Germany’s Lufthansa was the highest-placed European airline at 12th, down from 10th last year, while Virgin America was the top-rated North American carrier in 26th place.
Aer Lingus came in at 61st on the list, while Ryanair didn’t make the top 100 – or even the top-10 low cost airlines, a list which was headed by Malaysia’s AirAsia.
Labour pains
The award came as the International Labour Organisation, the UN’s labour agency, called on Qatar Airways, which is owned by the monarchist Gulf state, to scrap contracts that allowed it to sack female crew who fell pregnant.
It also criticised the airline for its rule that women workers could only be picked up from their jobs by their husbands or close male relatives.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker thanked the airline’s staff for their help in achieving the award following its announcement.
Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do at Qatar Airways, and we are very proud to be recognised by them,” he said.
South Korean Asiana Airlines was rated as the best economy-class carrier and Singapore Airlines the top business-class operator. Garuda Indonesia was declared the top airline for cabin staff.
1. Qatar Airways (2)
2. Singapore Airlines (3)
3. Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong (1)
4. Turkish Airlines (5)
5. Emirates (4)
6. Etihad Airways, UAE (9)
7. All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan (6)
8. Garuda Indonesia (7)
9. EVA Air, Taiwan (12)
10. Qantas, Australia (11)
- With AFP
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say