It's been an unusual couple of years for the aviation industry. After months of pandemic-related groundings, travel's returned not with a bang, but with a bit of a whimper, as many global airlines and airports struggle with cancellations and delays. In the midst of this chaotic season of travel, Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com has released its annual round-up of the world's best airlines. Nabbing the top spot for the second year in the row is Qatar Airways, with AirlineRatings.com stating this carrier's commitment to flying over the past couple years was the deciding factor. Qatar Airways also won the Excellence in Long Haul - Middle East/Africa award. "Qatar Airways' decision to remain operating through the pandemic meant that it became the world's largest international airline and posted a huge profit -- the only major airline to do so," Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of AirlineRatings.com told CNN Travel. As well as profitability, AirlineRatings.com says its team of editors also assessed each airline's fleet age, environmental and safety credentials, passenger reviews and product offerings. Hot on the heels of Qatar Airways is Air New Zealand, an airline that's topped AirlineRatings' list six times in recent years, and last year also came in at number two. For 2022, Air New Zealand was also recognized by AirlineRatings.com as the carrier with the best premium economy and economy options, and the best option for long haul travel in the Pacific region. Number three on AirlineRatings.com's list is Etihad Airways. The UAE-based airline was also awarded the accolade for Environmental Airline of the Year, due to what Thomas said was a "benchmark" commitment to cutting emissions. The number four airline is Korean Air, which also won the Cargo Airline of the Year and Excellence in Long Haul - Asia awards, while Singapore Airlines, winner of Best First Class and Best Lounges, rounds out the top five.<br/>
star
SAS and pilot unions failed again on Thursday to agree on a deal to end a crippling strike that the airline said threatened its ability to access bridge financing without which it may be forced to radically downsize or could collapse. SAS and the unions were locked in talks throughout Thursday to end a strike among most of its pilots at the peak of the holiday travel season, over conditions related to the Scandinavian carrier's rescue plan. They abandoned talks shortly after midnight Friday, as the strike entered its 12th day, with talks to resume later on Friday. "There are a number of issues that are important for both parties that must be resolved in order to reach an agreement," mediator Mats Ruland told E24.<br/>
SAS has warned that emergency funding related to a bankruptcy process in the US is at risk from a pilots strike that entered its 11th day on Thursday. The airline, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 5, remains in talks with potential lenders to obtain debtor-in-possession financing for as much as $700m as part of the legal process. “The strike is putting the success of the chapter 11 process and, ultimately, the survival of the company at stake,” CEO Anko van der Werff said. The company said the short-term emergency funding is under threat unless it can demonstrate a road map to achieving the 7.5b kronor in annual cost savings--a goal which it says is becoming more difficult each day the strike proceeds. The strike, which has so far led to 2,550 flight cancellations and affected more than 270,000 passengers, is costing the company approximately 100m to 130m kronor per day, according to the statement. <br/>