2022 World Airline Awards – Qatar Airways Wins Airline of the Year. How did the other Airlines fare?

In the 2022 World Airline Awards, Qatar Airways has been voted the world’s best airline for the seventh time. The awards ceremony was held at the Langham Hotel in London on 23 September 2022.

In second place is Singapore Airlines. Emirates is placed third, All Nippon Airways fourth, and Qantas Airways fifth.

Besides winning the World’s Best Airline award for the seventh, Qatar Airways also bagged eight other awards including World’s Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Seat, Best Business Class Lounge Dining, Best Airline in the Middle East, Best Cabin Crew in the Middle East, Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in the Middle East, Best Business Class Lounge in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East.

Singapore Airlines has been named for World’s Best Cabin Staff, World’s Best First Class, Best Airline in Asia, Best First Class Airline Seat, Best First Class Catering, Best Business Class in Asia, Best Business Class Lounge in Asia, Best Premium Economy Class in Asia, and Best Economy Class in Asia.

Emirates wins big in Economy Class category with World’s Best Economy Class, World’s Best Economy Class Catering and World’s Best Inflight Entertainment Award for the 17th consecutive time. Customers flying Emirates’ Economy Class, no matter where they choose to travel on the airline’s 130 destination strong network, can look forward to a menu infused with regional and seasonal flavours, featuring hearty main dishes and sides, and an indulgent dessert inspired by their destination. Emirates also prides itself in celebrating unique cultures and traditions from around the globe by offering signature dishes for occasions like Diwali, Christmas, Ramadan, Eid Al Adha, Lunar New Year and more recently, Oktoberfest and Onam.

Economy Class customers can snuggle up in warm and soft sustainable blankets made of 100% recycled plastic bottles. The airline also offers sustainably-made amenity kit bags for Economy Class customers on select long haul flights, which have been newly redesigned to represent the four elements – fire, water, earth and air, as a reminder of the careful balance required to preserve for the future of our planet. The kit’s travel essentials – socks, eyeshades, toothbrush and tooth paste, as well as bookmark, are all made from environmentally-friendly materials and come in natural earth tones.

Little flyers travelling across all classes can also keep busy with special plush toys and blankets as well as a selection of ‘fly with me’ belt bags, duffle bags and backpacks. All children’s items and toys have been consciously made of 100% recycled raw materials including drinking bottles, and swing tags use non-toxic soy based ink printed on recycled cardboard.

All Nippon Airways was awarded the World’s Best Cabin Cleanliness for the fourth time, World’s Best Airport Services for the ninth time, and Best Airline Staff Service for the seventh time. Here are some recent milestones for the airline. The new “ANA Lounge” at Narita Airport Satellite 2 features a special design with directions from the world-famous architect Keng Kuma. The ANA SUITE LOUNGE at Haneda Airport and Narita Airport for International Flights offer “SUITE DINING”, a new set meal service that provides different meals depending on the time of day, as well as a “meal order system” that allows guests to order meals from their smart phones or devices. “ANA Smart Travel” is a new service model that combines in-person and digitised services to provide a smooth travel experience. ANA Travel Ready offers advanced screening of necessary travel documents for smooth travel on the day of departure for international flights.

Delta Airlines bagged six awards including Best Airline in North America, Best Airline Staff Service in North America, Best Cabin Crew in the USA, Best Business Class North America, Best Premium Economy Class in North America and Best Economy Class in North America.

Turkish Airlines received three awards including the Best Airline in Europe title. The other awards include the World’s Best Business Class Catering and the Best Airline in Southern Europe.

“We are very pleased to be with you again in this environment where our distinguished service approach has been appreciated many times. As the Turkish Airlines family, we would like to thank our valued passengers, who deemed us worthy of these wonderful awards, and the Skytrax team, who put this evaluation into practice. With our privileged service approach, which distinguishes us from our competitors, we continue to take firm steps towards our goal of making the Turkish Airlines brand the best in the world by building on the unmatched service we offer,” said Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat

India’s Vistara bagged the Best Airline in India and Southern Asia and Best Airline Staff Service in India and Southern Asia.

airBaltic celebrated its debut win, receiving the Best Airline in Eastern Europe, the Most Improved Airline in Europe and the Best Airline Staff in Eastern Europe awards.

Air France was voted best airline in Western Europe for the second year running. It moved up two places to 8th position in the Skytrax global ranking. With new-generation aircraft with reduced fuel consumption, renovated and more comfortable travel cabins, new airport lounges, refined French gastronomy and more, these investments that have been preserved to ensure that Air France continues to move upmarket.

Other notable awards include Scoot for Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline, Qatar Airways for World’s Best Business Class, Emirates for World’s Best Economy Class, World’s Best Inflight Entertainment, Best Economy Class Catering, Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat, and Best Economy Class in Middle East.

China Southern Airlines bags Best Airline in China.

Plaza Premium is named World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge. The Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2 Departures was listed number one in the top 10 rankings, followed by Plaza Premium Lounge at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport T3 Departures in Rome and Plaza Premium Lounge at Gatwick North Terminal Departures.

“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,” said Plaza Premium Group Founder and CEO, Song Hoi See.

United Airlines won Best Business Class Lounge in North America.

Star Alliance reclaims the World’s Best Airline Alliance and awarded Best Airline Alliance Lounge title. Star Alliance Los Angeles Lounge retains World’s Best Airline Lounge Awards for the sixth consecutive year.

 “We are elated to learn that millions of flyers around the world have put their trust in Star Alliance yet again and have recognised the exceptional value the alliance offers through their journey. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, the recognition means even more to us. As we navigate through one of the most difficult periods for our industry, it is the grit and hard work of the Star Alliance team and the staff of our member carriers that has enabled seamless travel despite the constantly changing environment. I receive this honour on their behalf,” said Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh.

See the full listing here.

World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2022

Check out the top 100 listing here.

1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
4. ANA All Nippon Airways
5. Qantas Airways
6. Japan Airlines
7. Turkish Airlines
8. Air France
9. Korean Air
10. Swiss Int’l Air Lines
11. British Airways
12. Etihad Airways
13. China Southern
14. Hainan Airlines
15. Lufthansa
16. Cathay Pacific
17. KLM
18. EVA Air
19. Virgin Atlantic
20. Vistara

World’s Best Cabin Staff in 2022

Singapore Airlines tops World’s Best Cabin Staff category. Asian airlines dominate this category. Qatar Airways is the only non-Asia airline to be ranked in the World’s Top 10.

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

World’s Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in 2022

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic started, customers are more aware of hygiene and cleanliness standards. Japan’s All Nippon Airways clinched the World’s Cleanest Airline, with Singapore Airlines in 2nd and Japan Airlines 3rd. This is the fourth time ANA has received this award.

The airline was recognised for its cleanliness procedures – Flight attendants wore masks and distributed disinfectant wipes, masks upon request, providing hygienic in-flight services; thorough ventilating the aircraft cabins and periodic disinfecting of the cabin as well as installing special handles on lavatory doors that allow passengers to exit the lavatory using their elbows.

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

World’s Best Business Class Airlines 2022

1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. All Nippon Airways
4. Emirates
5. Etihad Airways
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
7. Qantas Airways
8. Japan Airlines
9. Delta Airlines
10. Virgin Atlantic

Best Low Cost Carrier Airline

AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 13th consecutive year. Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, who received the award said “We did it again! This year feels more special than previous years, as voters supported us despite the most difficult past few years triggered by Covid. The fact we are back in the sky is incredible in itself with no big business benefactors and virtually no flying for close to two years.” Tony has dedicated the award to his team of Allstar for their unwavering can-do spirit and attitude.