Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline for a record seventh time at the 2022 World Airline Awards, winning the prestigious Airline of the Year 2022 title.
After two years of virtual award ceremonies, the 2022 World Airline Awards event returned to normal procedures, with airlines from around the world attending the 2022 awards ceremony,
The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2022
The top 40 airlines in 2022 reflect a number of changes from earlier year ratings, and Skytrax attribute part of this to the varying operational levels of some airlines due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions during the period of the customer survey. China’s borders effectively still remain closed due to their Covid zero policy which has meant very few international flights being operated for the last 2½ years.
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Air France
- Korean Air
- Swiss Int’l Air Lines
- British Airways
- Etihad Airways
- China Southern
- Hainan Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Cathay Pacific
- KLM
- EVA Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Vistara
Singapore Airlines repeated previous year success by winning the award for the World’s Best Cabin Staff. This award category remains dominated by airlines across Asia, with Qatar Airways being the only non-Asia airline to be ranked in the World’s Top 10.
The World’s Best Cabin Staff in 2022
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Garuda Indonesia
- Thai Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- EVA Air
- Cathay Pacific
Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said, “At Singapore Airlines, we aim to provide our customers with a world class experience every single time that they fly with us. These awards from Skytrax are a recognition of our long-standing commitment to innovation, as well as our continuous investment in our products, services, and our people. We would like to thank our customers for their support, and we assure them that we never take it for granted.”
After two years of Covid-19, there is a much heightened customer awareness to airline hygiene and cleanliness standards, and Japan’s ANA All Nippon Airways triumphed in the awards by winning the category for the World’s Cleanest Airline, with Singapore Airlines in 2nd and Japan Airlines 3rd.
The World’s Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in 2022
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Korean Air
- China Airlines
- Fiji Airways
- Cathay Pacific
The World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges
Plaza Premium Group, who operate the world’s largest network of international airport lounges was named winner of the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges category, ahead of Primeclass Lounges in 2nd, and The Pearl Lounge Bahrain in third place.
- Plaza Premium – LHR
- Primeclass – MCT
- The Pearl Lounge – BAH
- iGA Lounge – IST
- Plaza Premium – FCO
Plaza Premium Group Founder and CEO, Song Hoi See, said: “We are truly honoured to be awarded the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards for the sixth time, consecutively. Having awarded 2022’s Best Independent Airport Lounge Brand for Plaza Premium Lounge is a testament to our service excellence. The past two years have been challenging for the travel industry due to the pandemic and we would like to dedicate this win to all our colleagues who have been the backbone of our company. They have been our biggest supporters and have really put in their hard work and dedication despite the challenges we’ve been through. We are really proud of this achievement and we will continue to provide award-winning hospitality services across our global network.”
The World’s Best Leisure Airlines
- SunExpress
- Air Transat
- TUI Airways
- TUIfly
- Vietravel Airlines
Max Kownatzki, CEO of SunExpress said: “We are thrilled to be recognized by our customers by winning this prestigious award. We always put our customers at the heart of what we do, and we work hard to deliver the very best experience possible to them at every touchpoint, every day. Achieving this great success at the World Airline Awards after two of the most challenging years for the aviation industry is testament for our efforts. The fact that the award is based on the direct feedback from passengers is gratifying and a wonderful recognition for our great team. My heartfelt thanks goes to our valued guests and every member of our industrious and diligent team, who represent SunExpress with the utmost professionalism and passion every day. We will continue to listen carefully to our customers and to invest in our product and services, both on the ground and in the air.”
The World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines
- Scoot
- Jetstar Airways
- Air Canada rouge
- LEVEL
- AirAsiaX
Mr. Ng Chee Keong, Scoot Chief Operating Officer said: “We are both honoured and delighted to be recognised once again, as the world’s best long-haul low-cost carrier. As an LCC, our proposition allows consumers to enjoy the same great value for both short and long-haul travels. With border restrictions easing globally, we strive to keep travel accessible while providing customers with great experiences and connections across the world.”
A number of Best Airline Staff Service awards were presented, these being important awards that recognise the combined airline staff service standards across both the airport and the onboard experience. British Airways was the winner of the Best Airline Staff Service in Europe, and Fiji Airways triumphed by winning the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia/Pacific region award.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of Fiji Airways Mr. Andre Viljoen said: “It truly is an honour for our airline to be recognized for our commitment to service. I thank all the hard working staff at Fiji Airways who made this award possible. We won this same award in 2019, and I am proud of the fact that we have not been complacent despite the challenging period that Fiji Airways and indeed the entire aviation industry has faced due to the pandemic. Fiji Airways is focused on major plans to enhance our products and services, to continue evolving and delivering the best to all our guests.”
The World Airline Awards cover all types of travel classes, with an overall Best by Cabin award, Best Seats by Cabin, Best Lounges and Best Onboard Catering by cabin. The overall winners for these awards are:
- The World Best First Class Airline: Singapore Airlines
- The World’s Best Business Class Airline: Qatar Airways
- The World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline: Virgin Atlantic
- The World’s Best Economy Class Airline: Emirates
