After two difficult years for the airline industry due to the pandemic, 2022 has seen a recovery in travel in much of the world. The decline in coronavirus cases, vaccination and flexibility in destination entry requirements all played a role.
As it does every year, UK-based review and ranking site Skytrax has once again presented its awards to the world’s best airlines, considered by the industry as the “Oscars of aviation”. The event resumed its face-to-face mode with a ceremony at the Langham Hotel in London. Qatar Airways was awarded the title of World’s Best Airline 2022.
Winning these awards in the same year we celebrate our 25th anniversary is even more gratifying.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways group chief executive
“Being named the World’s Best Airline was always a goal when Qatar Airways was established, but winning it for the seventh time and earning three additional awards is a testament to all the hard work of our amazing employees,” said Akbar Al Baker, the company’s chief executive.
The airline’s premium cabin, featuring the patented Qsuite, has been voted the World’s Best Business Class for the sixth consecutive year, while the Al Mourjan lounge has been recognized for its outstanding culinary excellence and has been awarded the World’s Best Business Class In-Room Catering award.
In further recognition of its leadership role not only in world aviation, but also in a highly competitive region, Qatar Airways also won the award for Best Airline in the Middle East, an acknowledgement of its reputation for excellence, its global network of destinations, world-class global partnerships and travel through Hamad International Airport.
The awards, given by the prestigious consulting firm based on the latest passenger survey, show few changes in the top positions compared to previous editions. And it confirms, once again, a clear Asian dominance.
The World Airline Awards began in 1999 and are particularly significant because they are based on the opinions of millions of passengers from all over the world and of various nationalities.
The survey, which included 350 airlines, looked at aspects such as service, attention, meals and comfort. In a year marked by the World Cup, Qatar Airways (Qatar) won the title of the world’s best airline. This is not the first time it has won this title but the seventh. The Doha-based Qatari carrier is followed by Singapore Airlines (which won Best Cabin Crew and Best First Class) and Emirates.
Japan’s ANA (All Nippon Airways) came in at No.4 and was also named World’s Cleanest Airline. It won four more awards besides, including Best Airport Services. Delta Air Lines was the leading airline in the US, winning six region-specific awards categories, while Turkish Airlines was the top carrier in Europe.
Ryanair made the list for the first time receiving the title of Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe. According to CNN, the result could be in part explained by what happened this summer. Ryanair was one of the region’s reliable airlines, canceling fewer flights than other airlines. It offered “rescue” flights in July and August to help people stranded due to other airlines’ cancellations.
Top 20 airlines in 2022
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- Qantas Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Air France
- Korean Air
- Swiss International Air Lines
- British Airways
- Etihad Airways
- China Southern Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Cathay Pacific
- KLM
- EVA Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Vistara
