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Qatar Airways named World’s Best Airline for the ninth time

Qatar Airways took top honours at the aviation industry’s annual awards in Paris on Tuesday, retaining the title of World’s Best Airline at the 2025 Skytrax World Airlines Awards.

In a remix of last year’s top rankings, Singapore Airlines held on to the No. 2 spot, Cathay Pacific climbed from five to three, and Emirates slipped from three to four. All Nippon Airways rounded out the top five, falling from fourth position.

Qatar Airways were also named Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class, and Best Business Class Airline Lounge.

Airline of the Year – 2025@qatarairways has been named World’s Best Airline for the 9th time at the @skytrax_uk World Airline Awards.

Announced today at the #ParisAirShow.

Did you know? This recognition is largely due to its award-winning Qsuite Business Class,… pic.twitter.com/wSe7dYNMm2
— Paris Air Show (@salondubourget) June 17, 2025

Commenting on their success, Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said: “Being named the World’s Best Airline for the ninth time is an extraordinary honor. This recognition is far more than an award, it’s a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we’re as an airline. To retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving global industry reflects the relentless efforts across every part of the business, from the frontline to behind the scenes, the passion and commitment of our people continue to set new standards in aviation.

“We’re equally proud to have been named the Best Airline in the Middle East, to once again hold the title of the World’s Best Business Class, and to be recognized for offering the Best Business Class Airline Lounge experience globally. These accolades reaffirm our ambition not only to lead, but to redefine what exceptional service means in aviation.

“Whether on the ground or in the air, we strive to deliver a seamless, elevated journey that anticipates the needs of our passengers and reflects the highest standards of quality, comfort, and innovation. Being continuously recognized as a 5-Star Airline further underscores our mission: to set new benchmarks for the industry and to ensure that our passengers feel genuinely cared for, valued and inspired to return.

“These awards aren’t just wins for us, they’re a tribute to the trust of millions of travellers who choose us every year and a clear validation of our vision to shape the future of air travel,” he said.

Widely known as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry,’ the World Airline Awards began in 1999, and remain totally independent and impartial with all of the customer survey costs and awards event hosted by and paid for by the organisers, Skytrax.

THE WORLD TOP 10 AIRLINES IN 2025

Qatar Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Emirates
ANA All Nippon Airways
Turkish Airlines
Korean Air
Air France
Japan Airlines
Hainan Airlines

Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “It’s a fabulous achievement for Qatar Airways to win the World’s Best Airline title for 2025, the ninth time they’ve triumphed in the awards history. Qatar Airways achieved excellent results across many award categories, with their Business Class winning the World’s Best Business Class, and their Al Mourjan Garden Lounge named the World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge. We congratulate Qatar Airways on these successes which should be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the airline management and staff.”

Singapore Airlines took top honours with the award for the World’s Best Cabin Crew and their First Class Suites continue to dominate by winning the award as the World’s Best First Class. In one of the most competitive global regions for airline service standards, Singapore Airlines also scooped the accolade for the Best Airline in Asia.

Taiwan’s STARLUX Airlines won the 2025 award as the World’s Most Improved Airline, reflecting their Quality improvement across the entire Awards programme. STARLUX Airlines also received their 5-Star Airline Rating for the first time, bringing the number of 5-Star Airlines worldwide to eleven.

AirAsia was the repeat winner of the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline award, a title it has won each year since 2010. Scoot received a top award as the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.

Air Transat were named the World’s Best Leisure Airline, with 2025 being the third consecutive year the Canadian airline has triumphed.

ANA All Nippon Airways achieves the No 4 global ranking, repeating earlier success by winning the award for the World’s Best Airport Services. ANA also won the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in Asia.

German low-cost airline Eurowings triumphed for the first time at the World Airline Awards receiving the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe. Allegiant Air was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America.

The award for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline was won by Lufthansa. Plaza Premium received the award as the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator, with the Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport ranking No 1 in 2025.

Cathay Pacific received the award for the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment, ahead of Emirates in 2nd and Qatar Airways in 3rd place.

Saudia was a winner of the Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East award.

In the India / South Asia region, low-cost airline IndiGo received the top award as the Best Airline in India / South Asia together with picking up the Best Low-Cost Airline award for this region.

Qantas Airways returned to the World Airline Awards being named the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific, with Virgin Australia winning the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific, and Best Regional Airline award for this region.

Air Canada topped the awards as the Best Airline in North America, with Air Canada’s Toronto Pearson Signature Suite also winning the Best Business Class Lounge Dining award.

Delta Air Lines received the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in North America.

In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines won the Best Airline in Africa award for the seventh consecutive year, and FlySafair winning the Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa award.

Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe, as well as winning the award for World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering and as the Best Airline in Southern Europe.

China’s Hainan Airlines won awards as the Best Airline in China, the Best Airline Staff Service in China and for the World’s Best Business Class Comfort Amenities .

Air France was a multiple winner as the Best Airline in Western Europe, the World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities and its Paris CDG Terminal 2 Lounge winning the World’s Best First Class Lounge Dining award.

Star Alliance collected the award as the World’s Best Airline Alliance and also won the Best Airline Alliance Lounge award for its Paris CDG Airport Lounge at Terminal 1.

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