The prestigious 2024 World Airline Awards took place in the United Kingdom, hosted by Skytrax, the international air transport organization.

• Often referred to as the “Oscars of the Aviation Industry” the World Airline Awards are coveted accolades that recognize exceptional quality and service.
• What makes these awards particularly significant is that they are based on the choices of customers themselves, emphasizing the awards’ reputation as the “Passenger’s Choice Awards.”
• The World Airline Awards were introduced in 1999 to provide a truly global customer satisfaction study.
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Qatar Airways was named the World’s Best Airline at the 2024 World Airline Awards, continuing its legacy of excellence. Singapore Airlines secured the second position, followed by Emirates in third place. Cathay Pacific Airways secured a spot in the Top 5, while Turkish Airlines and Air France made it into the Top 10. Virgin Atlantic, celebrating its Ruby anniversary this year, made it into the Top 20. Among African airlines, Ethiopian Airlines secured the 36th spot, while South African Airways achieved the 69th position, ahead of Air Mauritius, RwandAir, and Kenya Airways.

Beyond the overall rankings, airlines competed in various other categories, each highlighting specific aspects of service excellence. Cathay Pacific Airways was awarded the title of World’s Cleanest Airline, a testament to their rigorous standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

Singapore Airlines, renowned for its service, was recognized with the World’s Best Cabin Crew award. Turkish Airlines, celebrated for its comprehensive service in Europe, was named the Best Airline in Europe. Qatar Airways continued to dominate the business class category, winning the World’s Best Business Class award. In the economy class category, Cathay Pacific excelled, winning the World’s Best Economy Class award. This highlights the airline’s commitment to providing a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers, regardless of the class they travel in.

African airlines also shone brightly in this year’s awards. Air Mauritius was recognized for having the Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Africa. Ethiopian Airlines emerged as a major winner, securing multiple awards, including Best Airline in Africa, Best Business Class in Africa, Best Economy Class in Africa, and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa. Kenya Airways was acknowledged for having the Best Airline Staff in Africa and Best Cabin Crew in Africa.

Air France also made a significant impact, winning Best Airline in Western Europe, Best First Class Onboard Catering, Best Business Class in Europe, Best First Class Airline in Europe, and Best First Class Onboard Catering in Europe.

Emirates, known for its luxurious inflight experience, was awarded the World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment, Best First Class Airline Comfort Amenities, Best First Class Airline in the Middle East, Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, Most Family-Friendly Airline in the Middle East, Best Premium Economy Class Airline in the Middle East, and Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East.

Qatar Airways, in addition to being named Airline of the Year 2024, also won Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat, Best Business Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, Best Business Class in the Middle East, Best Economy Class in the Middle East, Best Cabin Crew in the Middle East, and Cleanest Airline in the Middle East.

Turkish Airlines was celebrated as the Best Airline in Europe, Best Airline in Southern Europe, Best Business Class Onboard Catering, Best Business Class in Southern Europe, Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Europe, Best Economy Class in Europe, and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Europe.

On the home front, LIFT, the youngest airline in Africa to win a World Airline Award, brought home the title of Best Low Cost Airline in Africa. Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, congratulated LIFT on this remarkable achievement, emphasizing the airline’s success within just four years of operation. Jonathan Ayache, LIFT CEO, expressed his elation at receiving their first Skytrax Award, acknowledging the dedication of their team and the support of their travelers.

Additionally, South African Airways was recognized as the Cleanest Airline in Africa, further highlighting the region’s growing prominence in the aviation industry. The 2024 World Airline Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also underscored the collective progress and innovation within the global aviation sector.

Travelers from around the world participate in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. The awards are wholly independent and impartial, with Skytrax covering all survey and event costs. Airlines do not pay any entry or registration fee, nor are there charges for using the award logos and results, ensuring that the accolades are genuinely earned.

This year’s survey, conducted online from September 2023 to May 2024, saw participation from over 100 nationalities, with 21.42 million eligible entries counted in the results. The results highlighted the preferences and experiences of millions of travellers, making the awards a true reflection of passenger satisfaction.

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