Singapore Airlines is named the World’s Best Airline at the 2018 World Airline Awards, with Qatar Airways ranked 2nd and ANA in 3rd place at the Skytrax world airline awards.
Why Skytrax awards?
Skytrax awards are billed as the Oscars of air travel and is the only independent and impartial awards process not influenced by sponsors and based on customer survey and votes. Whilst some award winners may not be the favorite for everyone, it is important to keep in mind that Skytrax award winners are a direct result of customer surveys and thus considered to be the Passengers Award Choice.
World’s Top 50 Airlines for 2018
1. Singapore Airlines – World’s Best Airlines for 2018!
“Singapore Airlines is honoured to be named ‘World’s Best Airline’ in the Skytrax awards, and I dedicate it to the 26,000 SIA Group employees who focus every day on delivering the world’s best travel experience to our customers,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, who accepted the top award at the ceremony in London.
2. Qatar Airways
Mr Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways said: “These prestigious awards show how far Qatar Airways has come in such a short time. In just over 20 years, we have risen from a small regional carrier to become a global airline, committed to innovation and to delivering the highest standards to our passengers. The patented Qsuite represents our commitment to innovation, as this revolutionary Business Class seat continues to set new benchmarks in the aviation industry.”
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
ANA All Nippon Airways is the largest airline in Japan. Founded in 1952, ANA flies to around 80 international routes and over 110 domestic routes. ANA has been a member of Star Alliance since 1999. Its Frequent Flyer Program, ANA Mileage Club, has more than 29 million members. ANA was the launch customer and is the biggest operator of the Boeing 787.
4. Emirates
“It’s an honour to be recognised by Skytrax for our commitment to innovation and service excellence. We always work hard to stay creative, relevant, and continue to build content that appeals to our multi-national and multi-cultural passengers,” said Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ divisional vice president, customer experience and in-flight entertainment and connectivity.
5. EVA Air
The President of EVA Air, Mr Clay Sun said: “It is a great honor to be recognized by travelers from around the globe. We will never lose sight of our goal for EVA to be the very best. We aim to make every journey with us a delightful, relaxing experience for every passenger.”
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Group offers scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 200 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of close to 200 aircraft. Cathay Pacific is a founder member of the oneworld global alliance and Cathay Dragon is an affiliate member.
7. Lufthansa
Dr Andreas Otto, Product Manager of the Lufthansa Group for the premium airlines and Chief Commercial Officer of Austrian Airlines, thanked their customers for this vote of confidence and the employees for their commitment and customer orientation. “We are well aware of the challenge of living up to this award at all times. For this reason, we see this recognition as an incentive to fulfil the promise we make to our customers”, he said.
8. Hainan Airlines
Mr Chen Feng, Chairman of the HNA Group said: “Winning the SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline award for the eigth consecutive year and reaching eighth place in the World’s Top 10 Airlines ranking is a testament to the quality of our service and our tireless commitment to achieving the highest standards of flight safety. With its roots in China, Hainan Airlines is committed to becoming one of the world’s top airlines and a globally recognized iconic Chinese brand.”
9. Garuda Indonesia
The President of Garuda Indonesia, Mr Pahala N. Mansury said: “The appreciation certainly has its own meaning for us in the midst of various operational performance challenges faced by the company, and thus, Garuda will prove its commitment by continuously improving the quality standard of the best-recognized cabin crew service. This award is also a challenge for us all in Garuda Indonesia in the future to continue to provide the best Indonesian hospitality service to the world“.
10. Thai Airways
Thai Airways is the flag carrier airline of Thailand, formed in 1988. Thai Airways is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Including its subsidiaries, Thai Airways flies to 84 destinations in 37 countries, using a fleet of over 90 aircraft. The company slogan “Smooth as Silk” is a key brand denominator.
11. Qantas Airways – 15 in 2017
12. Swiss International Airlines – 14 in 2017
13. Japan Airlines – 16 in 2017
14. China Southern Airlines – 23 in 2017
15. Etihad Airways – 8 in 2017
16. Austrian Airlines – 17 in 2017
17. Air New Zealand – 19 in 2017
18. Turkish Airlines – 12 in 2017
19. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – 22 in 2017
20. Hong Kong Airlines – 24 in 2017
21. Bangkok Airways – 21 in 2017
22. Virgin Australia – 13 in 2017
23. Aeroflot – 30 in 2017
24. Asiana Airlines – 20 in 2017
25. Air France – 18 in 2017
26. Cathay Dragon – 27 in 2017
27. Finnair – 25 in 2017
28. Air Asia – 26 in 2017
29. Virgin Atlantic – 33 in 2017
30. Air Canada – 29 in 2017
31. British Airways – 40 in 2017
32. Norwegian – 28 in 2017
33. Korean Air – 34 in 2017
34. Malaysia Airlines – 31 in 2017
35. China Airlines – 35 in 2017
36. Aer Lingus – 38 in 2017
37. Delta Air Lines – 32 in 2017
38. Alaska Airlines – 36 in 2017
39. Aegean Airlines – 37 in 2017
40. Ethiopian Airlines – 48 in 2017
41. Iberia – 42 in 2017
42. jetBlue Airways – 39 in 2017
43. EasyJet – 41 in 2017
44. Oman Air – 53 in 2017
45. South African Airways – 49 in 2017
46. Jetstar Airways – 44 in 2017
47. AirAsiaX – 45 in 2017
48. Air Astana – 46 in 2017
49. Philippine Airlines – 67 in 2017
50. Vietnam Airlines – 47 in 2017
World’s Best Economy Class Cabin Airlines 2018
1. Thai Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Qatar Airways
4. Emirates
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
7. Garuda Indonesia
8. EVA Air
9. Lufthansa
10. Japan Airlines
12. Qantas Airways
13. Asiana Airlines
14. Etihad Airways
15. Austrian Airlines
16. Turkish Airlines
17. China Southern Airlines
19. Air New Zealand
20. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines 2018
1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Lufthansa
5. Air France
6. Aeroflot
7. EVA Air
8. Japan Airlines
9. Virgin Australia
10. China Airlines
11. ANA All Nippon Airways
12. Air Canada
13. Cathay Pacific Airways
14. Virgin Atlantic
15. Alitalia
16. Austrian Airlines
17. British Airways
18. Iberia
19. American Airlines
