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The pandemic has devastated the airline industry, but it hasn’t led some carriers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to compromise on their offering.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021, dubbed as the “Oscars of Aviation” has named Qatar Airways as the best airline on earth out of 350 carriers.
The UAE’s Emirates came in the fourth place, just behind Singapore Airlines (2nd) and ANA All Nippon Airways (3rd). Rounding out the top ten are Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, EVA Air, Qantas Airways, Hainan Airlines and Air France.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has also been named the World’s Most Improved Airline of the year, ahead of RwandAir in the second spot and JetSmart in the third position.
Skytrax ranks airlines based on a survey of travellers from around the world. Customers who participated in the poll, which ran from September 2019 to July 2021, were asked about airline performance and quality.
This is the sixth year in a row Qatar Airways has won the top spot. The airline’s Business Class has also been ranked number one in the world.
“This award is the result of the incredible work by Qatar Airways team and I want to thank our valued passengers for their loyalty and appreciation for all we have offered during the most challenging and uncertain times, without compromising on the service,” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways.
Airlines struggled in 2020 when passenger traffic plunged by 60 percent compared with 2019. Total industry passenger revenues fell 69 percent to $189 billion in 2020, and net losses stood at $126.4 billion in total, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2021
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Air France
The World’s Best Cabin Staff of 2021
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Thai Airways
- Garuda Indonesia
- Japan Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- EVA Air
- Asiana Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qatar Airways
The World’s Most Improved Airlines 2021
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- RwandAir
- JetSmart
- Vistara
- Vueling Airlines
- Scoot
- Xiamen Airlines
- Flynas
- Air France
- Turkish Airlines
(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Daniel Luiz)
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© ZAWYA 2021
