Aviation’s biggest names touched down at the Paris Air Show this month, as the 2025 World Airline Awards were unveiled during a grand ceremony.

• Dubbed “the Oscars of the aviation industry”, the awards celebrated the very best in global air travel.
• The 2025 World Airline Awards, voted for by travellers through the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey, were organised by UK-based aviation ratings agency Skytrax.
• The event, attended by over 500 industry leaders including airline CEOs, presidents, and uniformed crew from around the world.
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Taking top honours yet again, Qatar Airways was crowned World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time, reinforcing its dominance in premium air travel. The national carrier of the State of Qatar also secured several key accolades:
• World’s Best Business Class
• Best Airline in the Middle East
• World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge for the Al Mourjan Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport
• Skytrax Five-Star Airline recognition

Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, hailed the victory as a testament to the airline’s consistency and commitment to service excellence.

To retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving industry reflects the relentless efforts of our people. These awards are not just wins – they’re a celebration of passion, precision and purpose.

// Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer

Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted congratulated the airline.

Qatar Airways continues to set the benchmark in global aviation. Their success is an example of customer trust, innovation, and world-class service.

// Skytrax CEO, Edward Plaisted

Following closely behind Qatar Airways in the Top 5 Airlines of 2025:
• Singapore Airlines – Winning World’s Best Cabin Crew and Best First Class, along with Best Airline in Asia.
• Cathay Pacific Airways – Awarded World’s Best Inflight Entertainment and placed in the top 3 for Best Business Class.
• Emirates – Remained a staple in the global top 5 and runner-up for Best Inflight Entertainment.
• ANA All Nippon Airways – Took home Best Airport Services and Best Staff Service in Asia.

Among the standout newcomers was STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan, named World’s Most Improved Airline and receiving a 5-Star Airline rating – an impressive feat for a carrier that began operations only in 2020. CEO Glenn Chai called the win “a huge boost of motivation” for the entire STARLUX team.

Other notable regional winners included:
• Air Transat (Canada) – Best Leisure Airline, for the third consecutive year.
• AirAsia – Best Low-Cost Airline globally, maintaining a winning streak since 2010.
• Scoot – Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.
• Bangkok Airways – World’s Best Regional Airline (9th consecutive win).
• Lufthansa – World’s Most Family Friendly Airline.
• Plaza Premium Lounge (Rome FCO) – World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge.

Africa’s growing aviation sector was well represented. Ethiopian Airlines remained a regional powerhouse, clinching Best Airline in Africa for the seventh consecutive year.

South African carriers also made an impressive showing:
• FlySafair – Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa, also ranked 8th in Africa overall.
• LIFT – Second-Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa, and 9th in Africa overall.
• Airlink – 3rd Best Regional Airline in Africa, and notably, Cleanest Airline in Africa, recognised for aircraft cabin cleanliness and presentation.
• South African Airways (SAA) – Once the continent’s leading carrier, placed 4th Best Airline in Africa.

With three South African airlines in the Top 10 Airlines in Africa, the country’s aviation sector demonstrated resilience and growing consumer confidence.

The awards, derived from global passenger surveys conducted from September 2022 to May 2023 across six languages, featured over 350 airlines, with strict IP filtering and authenticity checks to ensure unbiased results.

Top 10 World’s Best Airlines 2025:
1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Emirates
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Turkish Airlines
7. Korean Air
8. Air France
9. Japan Airlines
10. Hainan Airlines

Other categories recognised excellence across specific offerings:
• Best Premium Economy Class – Virgin Atlantic
• Best Economy Class – Cathay Pacific
• Cleanest Airline in the World – EVA Air
• Best Airline Alliance – Star Alliance
• Best First Class – Singapore Airlines

The 2025 World Airline Awards demonstrated not just a snapshot of global aviation’s elite, but also reflected deeper trends: a renewed focus on customer experience, sustainability, innovation, and regional excellence.

As air travel continues its steady post-pandemic recovery, these awards highlight the airlines that are not just bouncing back but setting new benchmarks. Whether it’s Qatar Airways’ consistency, Singapore Airlines’ in-flight elegance, or Airlink’s attention to cleanliness, one thing is clear – passengers are paying attention.

And for South African travelers, the performance of local carriers on the global stage signals a promising future: one where world-class service may be just a local flight away.

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