World’s best airlines announced

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS: Qatar Airways has unseated Cathay Pacific as the world’s best airline in an annual poll of nearly 19 million passengers. Armenpress reports, citing the Daily Mail that it was the third time the Gulf state’s flag carrier captured the top gong at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, with winners in a number of categories being announced at the Paris Air Show.

Singapore Airlines finished second overall, while last year’s winner, Cathay Pacific, slipped to third. Turkish Airlines and Emirates rounded out the top five, and British Airways claimed 20th spot.

Qatar Airways credited its staff and improved fleet – including the introduction of Airbus’ A380 and A350 – for the award.

Akbar Al Baker, the Doha-based airline’s CEO, said in a statement: ‘I am honored to lead an airline that has paved such an accomplished path to excellence, and innovation, demonstrating the team’s unwavering pride in their work and the experience provided to each of our passengers.

‘Becoming an award-winning airline takes dedication and passion – and retaining such a ranking takes commitment, which I thank each and every team member at Qatar Airways for.’

In addition to being named airline of the year, Qatar Airways collected awards for best business class airline seat and best airline in the Middle East.

In the overall category – judged by 18.9 million travelers from 110 countries – Virgin Atlantic came in 37th place, easyJet was 39th and Thomson Airways was 59th while also being named best leisure airline.

John Murphy, managing director of Thomson Airways, said in a statement: ‘We are extremely proud to have won the world’s best leisure airline again.

‘We’re always looking at new ways to innovate our on board experience and revolutionize our fleet, from introducing iPads to personalize our service and taking delivery of further Thomson 787 Dreamliners.’

In 26th place, Virgin America was the top airline based in the US, followed by Delta Air Lines (45th) and JetBlue (50th).

Airlines are judged on everything from online booking and seat comfort to meal quality and staff friendliness.

AirAsia was named the world’s best low-cost airline for seventh consecutive year, but this year's award has special meaning for the Malaysia-based carrier.

It comes six months after one of its planes crashed into the Java Sea in bad weather off Indonesia, killing all 155 passengers and seven crew.

Chief executive Tony Fernandes told reporters: ‘We faced many challenges this past year but I am proud to say that our staff banded together for our guests and we have emerged stronger than ever.

‘To be named the world’s best for the seventh consecutive year is an incredible honor, and I dedicate it to the 17,000 AirAsia all-stars who are the force behind it all.’

In other categories, Garuda Indonesia received the award for world’s best cabin crew, Singapore Airlines was feted for having the best business class and Emirates was recognized for having the best in-flight entertainment.

Air France was the most improved airline, Taiwan’s EVA Air was No 1 for cabin cleanliness, and Turkish Airlines was named Europe’s best airline.

Air Canada was named North America's top airline, beating a number of US carriers.