Qatar Airways has flown away with the title of World’s Best Airline for the second consecutive year. It took the Airline of the Year prize in Skytrax’s annual World Airline Awards, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in England.
South Korea’s Asiana Airlines and Singapore Airlines followed in second and third place. Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways fell out of the top 10 — spots they won last year — while ANA All Nippon Airways and Malaysia Airlines made their top 10 debuts.
The top 10 was dominated by airlines from Asia and the Middle East. Skytrax collected opinions from 18 million international fliers between July 2011 and June 2012 on different aspects of airline passenger experience — from check-in to in-flight entertainment.
Etihad Airways won Best First Class Airline, taking home the Best First Class Catering and Best First Class Seat awards too. Cathay Pacific has the Best Business Class while Singapore Airlines won the Best Economy Class award, and also the Best Economy Class Catering award.
The Best Airline Signature Dish and Best Cabin Staff went to Malaysia Airlines. The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier serves delicious satay chicken and beef sticks onboard.
The 2012 World Airline Awards :
Airline of the year:
1. Qatar Airways
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Etihad Airways
7. Turkish Airlines
8. Emirates
9. Thai Airways
10. Malaysia Airlines
Best first class Airline:
1. Etihad Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
Best business class airline:
1. Cathay Pacific Airways
2. Qatar Airways
3. Oman Air
Best economy class airline:
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Qatar Airways
3. Asiana Airlines
Best cabin staff:
1. Malaysia Airlines
2. Asiana Airlines
3. EVA Air
Best Seats:
First class: Etihad Airways
Business class: Oman Air
Premium economy: Turkish Airlines
Economy class: Asiana Airlines
Best Catering:
First class: Etihad Airways
Business class: SWISS International Air Lines
Premium economy: Qantas Airways
Economy class: Singapore Airlines
Signature dish: Malaysia Airlines
Best inflight Entertainment: Emirates
Best regional airlines: Garuda Indonesia
Best low-cost airlines: AirAsia
Most improved airlines: China Eastern Airlines
