Summary

  • Delta Air Lines wins big at Skytrax awards with 9 wins, including Best Airline in North America.
  • Air Canada takes home 4 awards, including Most Family Friendly Airline in North America.
  • Top ten airlines worldwide dominated by Asian carriers, with Qatar Airways taking the number one spot.

This year’s edition of the Skytrax awards is out and Delta Air Lines won big, claiming nine awards, the most of any American carrier.

Delta wins big

The Skytrax awards are voted for by travelers in the company’s World Airline Survey. Several categories are voted on, from the best cabin crew to the best lounges and best seats. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines won nine awards, two of which were especially important for the carrier.

Delta Air Lines flight attendants in aircraft aisle

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Delta was named the Best Airline in North America and Best Airline Staff. 2024 was the fourth consecutive year that Delta won Best Airline in North America and the third with the Best Airline Staff award. Despite being the best in North America, Delta was not voted in the top 20 worldwide.

“Skytrax is among the most respected awards in the industry, and we are particularly proud that Delta people have been deservedly recognized for the excellent service they deliver every day.” – Ralph Albus, Director of Global Communications EMEAI, Delta Air Lines

According to Skytrax, Delta also won:

  • Best Business Class in North America
  • Best Premium Economy Class in North America
  • Best Economy Class in North America
  • Best Business Class Onboard Catering in North America
  • Best Cabin Crew in North America
  • Best Cabin Crew in USA
  • Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in North America

Delta’s biggest competitors in the United States, United Airlines and American Airlines, were not as successful. American did not receive one award, and United’s Polaris Lounge at Dulles International Airport was voted the Best Business Class Lounge in North America.

Air Canada wins the most in Canada

Air Canada was awarded four awards, three of them in the North America category and one in Canada. The Canadian Star Alliance carrier was voted the Most Family Friendly Airline in North America, the Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering and Cleanest Airline in North America. In Canada, it won the award for Best Cabin Crew. Air Canada did win another award but it only says Best Business Class Airline Lounge Catering, specifically at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8 tail shutterstock_1473904085

Photo: The Bold Bureau | Shutterstock

“We are very pleased with the results of this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards due to the number of awards we won and also because they recognize Air Canada’s industry leadership in delivering superior products and service across our diverse customer base.” – Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive, Air Canada.

Top ten worldwide

Of the top ten airlines, eight are Asian (depending on whether you consider Turkish Airlines a European or Asian carrier). Qatar Airways took home the number one spot, which should come as a surprise to no one that has heard of Skytrax before. Singapore Airlines took second place, and Qatar Airways’ main Gulf competitor, Emirates, came in third. Below is the list of the top ten:

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Emirates
  4. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
  5. Cathay Pacific Airways
  6. Japan Airlines
  7. Turkish Airlines
  8. EVA Air
  9. Air France
  10. SWISS

Delta Air Lines was the only American carrier in the top 30, claiming 21st place, while Air Canada was the only other North American carrier in the top 30 at number 29. United was the second-highest placed American carrier at number 42, while American was all the way down at number 78.

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