Qatar Airways has been named as the world’s Best Airlines for 2022, by AirlineRatings.com, the safety, product, and COVID rating website.
Two other long-haul carriers from the Gulf which made it to the prestigious list were Etihad Airways and Emirates, at third and 16th position, respectively.
The second spot was occupied by Air New Zealand and the fourth by Korean Air in the list. Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia featured among top 10 in the list.
UAE-based airline Flydubai was also named among the top 10 best low-cost airlines in the world for having a good safety record and making a "big difference" in its market.
Qatar Airways was honoured for its innovation, product, industry leadership and commitment to keeping the world’s critical long-haul air routes open during COVID-19.
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AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said “Airline Ratings’ Excellence awards which highlight the world’s Best Airlines are aptly named, for, at every touchpoint, excellence is the goal at Qatar Airways led by Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker.
“Mr Al Baker’s drive for perfection has led to many improvements in aircraft and travellers across the world are better off because of the pursuit of excellence of Qatar Airways.
Qatar Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said: “Winning these awards are another ringing endorsement of everything that we stand for as an airline as Qatar Airways is fully committed to providing an unrivalled customer experience.
“Our goal is to deliver excellence and once again securing the ‘Airline of the Year’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ and ‘Best Business Class’ demonstrates that we continue to lead the industry as passengers return to the skies.”
The AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards which honour the Best Airlines, are compiled by global editors with over 100 years of industry experience using an objective value-based methodology.
The criteria include safety and product ratings, passenger reviews, fleet age, profitability, and environmental commitment.
Air New Zealand was again another big winner in the AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards taking out number 2 position in the Top Twenty Airlines rankings, Best Airline in the Pacific, Best Premium Economy, and Best Economy.
Air New Zealand punches way above its weight,” Mr Thomas said. “In so many ways it has set the standard for airline excellence over the past 15 years. Its Premium Economy is just superb and the benchmark in the industry and without doubt the best value in the sky.”
And the airline has just unveiled a major make-over and new products that will be introduced in 2024.
Singapore Airlines won the prestigious Best First Class award for its unique Suites product and also Best Lounges.
The six Suites in this stylish cabin at the front of the upper deck of the airline’s flagship Airbus A380s are designed to be the equivalent of small hotel rooms.
Virgin Australia won Best Cabin Crew and Emirates was awarded Best Inflight Entertainment.
Several new award categories were added this year and the winners are Etihad Airways for Best Environmental Airline, Korean Air for Best Cargo Airline and Vietjet which won Best Value Airline.
Qantaslink won Best Regional Airline for its outstanding work in the remote Australian outback.
Excellence in Long Haul travel was awarded to: jetBlue (Americas), Turkish Airlines (Europe), Qatar Airways (Middle-East/Africa), Korean Air (Asia) and Air New Zealand (Pacific).
Best Low-Cost Airlines are: Southwest (Americas), easyjet (Europe) and Jetstar (Asia/Pacific) and Fly Dubai (Middle-East).
Top Twenty Airlines 2022
AirlineRatings.com also named its Best of the Best:
Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia, EVA Air, Turkish Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Japan Air Lines, JetBlue, Finnair, Emirates, Hawaiian, Air France/KLM, Alaska Airlines and British Airways.
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