World's best airline named as Qantas slips in rankings
Craig Platt
June 23, 2011 - 11:47AM
- Qantas has again slipped down the rankings of the world's best airlines in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards, but remains in the top 10.
Qantas was named the world's eighth-best airline, down from number seven in last year's awards. The airline has dropped every year since 2008, when it was named the world's third-best carrier.
Qatar Airways was named the best airline in the world. The Middle Eastern carrier has climbed steadily in the rankings from eighth place six years ago.
High flyer ... Qatar Airways has been named the world's best airline in the annual Skytrax awards.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said the award was significant for Qatar Airways, because it "reflects opinions of passengers around the world, and is based on every customer type across all cabins - be they business or leisure, frequent or first-time flyers".
Qatar Airways was followed by 2008 winner Singapore Airlines in second place, with last year's winner, South Korea's Asiana Airlines in third position. Cathay Pacific Airways retained fourth place from last year.
Thai Airways was the big mover, rising four places to fifth position.
In the Australia-Pacific region rankings, Qantas ran second to Air New Zealand. Jetstar was rated third-best for the region. Air New Zealand's
new premium economy offering was also rated the best in the world for that class.
Jetstar was named the best low-cost carrier for Australia-Pacific.
Asiana Airlines won for the best cabin crew, while Emirates won the best in-flight entertainment award.
The annual awards by Skytrax are based on surveys with more than 18 million passengers, carried out over 10 months.
The awards were announced today at the French Air and Space Museum at the Paris Air Show.
THE WORLD'S BEST AIRLINES : 2011
1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Asiana Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. Thai Airways International
6. Etihad Airways
7. Air New Zealand
8. Qantas Airways
9. Turkish Airlines
10. Emirates
World's Best First Class Airline Seat
1. Cathay Pacific Airways
2. Etihad Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Inflight Entertainment
1. Emirates
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Cathay Pacific Airways
World's Best Business Class Airline Seat
1. Oman Air
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Qatar Airways
Best Premium Economy Class Airline
1. Air New Zealand
2. Turkish Airlines
3. Qantas Airways
World's Most Improved Airline
1. China Southern Airlines
2. Air China
3. Aeroflot Russian Airlines