Skytrax awards Qatar Airways best airline

What’s the world’s best airline? According to the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, revealed at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, it’s Qatar Airways. This is the fifth time the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar has earned top spot in the prestigious awards. Last year’s winner, Singapore Airlines, slipped to second. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low-Cost Airline. In an almost flawless night for Qatar Airways, the Middle Eastern carrier also scooped the awards for World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat, and Best Airline in the Middle East. “To be named as the World’s Best Airline is a great recognition of Qatar Airways’ high standards,” said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, an organisation that describes itself as a specialist research and quality adviser to the air transport industry. “To achieve this accolade for a fifth time is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them for this unique success.” Akbar Al Baker, group CE of Qatar Airways, said: “We are thrilled to be globally recognised by our customers by winning these four prestigious awards. Becoming the first airline to be named as Airline of the Year for the fifth time is a landmark achievement … it is a proud moment for the airline.” Despite losing out on the top accolade, Singapore Airlines also had four accolades, with the awards for World’s Best Cabin Crew, World’s Best First Class, Best Airline in Asia, and the World’s Best First Class Seat. Other winners in Asia included Philippine Airlines, voted World’s Most Improved Airline, Bangkok Airways, named World’s Best Regional Airline, and ANA, given the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services.<br/>