Singapore Airlines slips to second best, Cathay Pacific up to fourth in Skytrax World Airline Awards
- Qatar Airways named World’s Best Airline a record fifth time in 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards; chief executive hails ‘a landmark achievement’
- Philippine Airlines voted World’s Most Improved Airline, AirAsia World’s Best Low-Cost Airline; awards based on votes of nearly 22 million passengers worldwide
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 chief executive 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.