World’s Best Airlines Revealed – Cruise Passenger

And the world’s best airline winners are …

Qatar Airways has named World’s Best Airline at the 2024 World Airline Awards for the eighth time in the awards’ 25-year history, while the 2023 winner, Singapore Airlines, slides into second place.

The Skytrax awards as it is often referred to, handed out gongs last week to the top-voted airlines from across the globe following an extensive independent customer survey with more than 350 airlines included in the survey results.

Qatar Airways also took out the top awards for the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Lounge, and the Best Airline in the Middle East.

Emirates scooped third place, ANA All Nippon Airways fourth, and Cathay Pacific rounded out the top five spots.

Closer to home, Fiji Airways won Best Airline in Australia / Pacific for the second time and also took home the award for Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific.

Singapore Airlines took top honours as being voted to have the World’s Best Cabin Staff 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 won Best Airline in Asia. 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Airlines won the award as the World’s Most Improved Airline, ahead of STARLUX Airlines in second place and PLAY in third position. 

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.

There was even an award for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline taken out by British Airways. This award covers the experiences from family seating policies, family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, children’s amenities / toys / activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, child luggage and policies for carrycot / pushchairs, and the standards of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew while travelling.

Plaza Premium won World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator, with its Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport winning in 2024.

Toward the back of the plane, Cathay Pacific won World’s Best Economy Class, with Japan Airlines winning World’s Best Premium Economy Class.

Meanwhile when it comes to earning points, Star Alliance took home the title of World’s Best Airline Alliance and also won the Best Airline Alliance Lounge award for its new Paris CDG Airport lounge.

The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2024

1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
4. ANA All Nippon Airways
5. Cathay Pacific Airways
6. Japan Airlines
7. Turkish Airlines
8. EVA Air
9. Air France
10. Swiss International Air Lines
11. Korean Air
12. Hainan Airlines
13. British Airways
14. Fiji Airways
15. Iberia
16. Vistara
17. Virgin Atlantic
18. Lufthansa
19. Etihad Airways
20. Saudi Arabian Airlines

The World’s Best Cabin Staff in 2024

1. Singapore Airlines
2. ANA All Nippon Airways
3. Garuda Indonesia
4. EVA Air
5. Cathay Pacific Airways
6. Hainan Airlines
7. Japan Airlines
8. Thai Airways
9. Qatar Airways
10. Malaysia Airlines

The World’s Cleanest Airlines in 2024

1. Cathay Pacific Airways
2. ANA All Nippon Airways
3. EVA Air
4. Qatar Airways
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Asiana Airlines
7. Hainan Airlines
8. Japan Airlines
9. China Airlines
10. Korean Air

The World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges in 2024

1. Plaza Premium – FCO
2. America Express Centurion – JFK
3. Pearl Lounge – BAH
4. Sapphire Lounge by The Club – LGA
5. Plaza Premium – DXB

The World’s Best Leisure Airlines in 2024

1. Air Transat
2. SunExpress
3. TUI Airways
4. Condor Airlines
5. TUIfly

The World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines in 2024

1. Scoot
2. Jetstar Airways
3. Norse Atlantic Airways
4. Air Canada rouge
5. ZIPAIR

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’s Best First Class Airline: Singapore Airlines
• The World’s Best Business Class Airline: Qatar Airways
• The World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline: Japan Airlines
• The World’s Best Economy Class Airline: Cathay Pacific Airways

For the full list of winners, head to the World Airline Awards.