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The two Qs, Qantas and Qatar Airways, both did well in this year’s Skytrax World Airways Awards, with Qantas flying into the world’s Top 10 carriers and Qatar being voted World’s Best Airline for the fifth time.

The Qatari airline also won awards for the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Seat and the Best Airline in the Middle East. The airline faces a few challenges, being banned from flying over the territory of some of its Gulf region neighbours – but that hasn’t held it back.

The list of top 10 airlines in this year’s Skytrax World Airways Awards was heavily dominated by Asian and Middle Eastern airlines, but that’s not unusual.

The awards are based on public response and comprehensive research from Skytrax, which this year collated more than 20 million responses from over 100 countries.

Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, 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 and, combined with three other major Skytrax awards, it is testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Qatar Airways team.

“It is a proud moment for the airline as our constant innovation and service standards set the benchmark in our industry.”

Qantas was a big improver, lifting this year from 11th up to eighth globally, ahead of Lufthansa and behind Hainan Airlines. Regionally, Qantas took out best airline and best business class in the Asia-Pacific division, while Air New Zealand was awarded best premium economy and best cabin cleanliness. Virgin Australia came third regionally after Qantas and Air New Zealand.

Singapore Airlines took the accolade for best cabin crew and best first-class, while Japan Airlines won best economy class. Emirates was judged to have the best in-flight entertainment (no surprise for those who have flown Emirates)  and AirAsia was named best low-cost carrier.

Singapore Airlines, World’s Best Cabin Staff 2019

The world’s top 10 airlines of 2019

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. ANA All Nippon Airways
  4. Cathay Pacific
  5. Emirates
  6. EVA Air
  7. Hainan Airlines
  8. Qantas Airways
  9. Lufthansa
  10. Thai Airways

Best 10 airlines in Australia/Pacific

  1. Qantas Airways
  2. Air New Zealand
  3. Virgin Australia
  4. Fiji Airways
  5. Jetstar Airways
  6. Tigerair Australia
  7. Air Tahiti Nui
  8. AirCalin
  9. Air Vanuatu
  10. Air Niugini

Best cabin staff

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Garuda Indonesia
  3. ANA All Nippon Airways
  4. Thai Airways
  5. EVA Air
  6. Cathay Pacific
  7. Hainan Airlines
  8. Japan Airlines
  9. Qatar Airways
  10. China Airlines 

Best economy class

  1. Japan Airlines
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Qatar Airways
  4. Thai Airways
  5. ANA All Nippon Airways
  6. Emirates
  7. Cathay Pacific Airways
  8. Hainan Airlines
  9. Lufthansa
  10. EVA Air

Best business class

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. ANA All Nippon Airways
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. Emirates
  5. Qantas Airways
  6. Hainan Airlines
  7. Thai Airways
  8. Etihad Airways
  9. Cathay Pacific Airways
  10. Garuda Indonesia 

World’s best low-cost airlines 2019

  1. AirAsia
  2. EasyJet
  3. Norwegian
  4. Southwest Airlines
  5. AirAsia X
  6. Jetstar Airways
  7. WestJet
  8. Indigo
  9. Ryanair
  10. Eurowings

Written by Peter Needham