Qatar Airways is the ‘world's best' airline, while Qantas makes huge comeback
The Doha-based carrier has been named the World's Best Airline for 2025 for a record-breaking ninth time in the annual Skytrax's World Airline Awards – dubbed 'the Oscars of the aviation industry'.
The awards were held on June 17 at Paris Air Show, in the Air and Space Museum at the Hall of Eight Columns of Le Bourget airport, where roughly 500 guests attended from airlines across the world.
Singapore Airlines nabbed second spot, while Cathay Pacific secured third place, Emirates fourth and ANA All Nippon Airways in fifth.
Australia's national carrier Qantas had an impressive comeback. It climbed its way back from 24th place last year, to 14th this year, and also took out Best Airline in Australia and Pacific.
Meanwhile, Qatar, a 5-star carrier, received three other awards – retaining the title of Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class and Best Business Class Airline Lounge.
'Being named the World's Best Airline by Skytrax for the ninth time is an extraordinary honour,' Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said.
'This recognition is far more than an award, it is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline.'
Mr Al-meer said to retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving global industry reflects the 'relentless efforts across every part of the business'.
'[From] the frontline to behind-the-scenes, the passion and commitment of our people continue to set new standards in aviation'.
'These accolades reaffirm our ambition not only to lead, but to redefine what exceptional service means in aviation'.
The Skytrax awards are based on the votes of travellers across over 100 nationalities. The online customer survey was done from September 2024 to May 2025, and any airline in the world can be nominated.
All survey entries were screened to identify IP and user information, with duplicate, suspect and ineligible entries deleted. Over 325 airlines feature in the survey results.
Qatar's big win comes as it partners with Virgin Australia after the Australian Government gave its tick of approval.
Qatar Airways now has a minority 25 per cent stake in the Aussie carrier, in turn expanding Virgin's flight network.
Last week, the first Qatar Airways-operated Virgin Australia flight to Doha took off from Sydney following the new deal.
It marks the start of a 'wet lease' arrangement, which will connect Australians with more than 170 destinations through Qatar's global network, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
How did the Aussie airlines do
Qantas returned to the Skytrax awards being named the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific, with Virgin Australia winning the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific, and Best Regional Airline award for this region.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the award reflects the airline's 'ongoing commitment' to delivering for its customers and is testament to the 'exceptional work of our people'.
'I want to sincerely thank our incredible team of more than 29,000 people around the world, who bring such passion and pride to the work they do every single day. This award belongs to them,' Ms Hudson said.
'Project Sunrise is on the horizon and our historic fleet renewal is well underway, with the first Qantas A321XLR set to land in Australia in the coming weeks.
'This is all part of the biggest fleet renewal program in our history, and the investments we are making in both new and existing aircraft are set to transform the flying experience for the millions of customers who fly with us every year.'
Around the world
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines won World's Best First Class, followed by Emirates and Air France.
Virgin Atlantic took out World's Best Premium Economy.
In North America, Air Canada topped the awards as the Best Airline in North America, with Air Canada's Toronto Pearson Signature Suite also winning the Best Business Class Lounge Dining award.
Delta Air Lines received the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in North America.
In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines won the Best Airline in Africa award for the seventh consecutive year, and FlySafair winning the Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa award.
Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe, as well as winning the award for World's Best Business Class Onboard Catering and as the Best Airline in Southern Europe.
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