Latest news with #BadrMohammedAl-Meer
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
These are the best airlines of 2025 – and no US carrier made the list. Here's why.
Skytrax recently released its World's Best Airline Awards of 2025 – also called the "Oscars of the aviation industry" – with Qatar Airways scoring the top spot for the ninth time and no U.S. airlines making the list. Since 1999, the aviation rankings organization has determined the annual awards based on results from the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey. For this year's list, the global survey was conducted from September 2024 to May 2025, with the winners announced on June 17. "We welcomed back a large number of previous winners and were also delighted to see new faces and airlines represented here today," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, in a statement. "As is indicated by so many former winning airlines being present, quality consistency is clearly well recognised by customers when they vote for these airlines." Not only did Qatar Airways win World's Best Airline, but also Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class and Best Business Class Airline Lounge. "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," Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in the release. Airlines based in the Middle East and Asia dominated the top 10, with many repeat winners like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates, while no U.S. carriers made it into the top 20. Best airlines of 2025 Here are the top 20 airlines of 2025, according to Skytrax: US carriers fail to make top 20 U.S. carriers were absent from a majority of the Skytrax awards. However, two made it onto lists: Delta Air Lines scored the Best Airline Staff Service in North America, and JetBlue Airways was the sixth Best Regional Airline for 2025. (Regional airline awards are for those with mostly domestic flights and international ones up to six hours.) "This isn't just a ranking problem. It's a reputation and business problem," said Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of air passenger rights company AirAdvisor. "The reason U.S. airlines are failing to crack the top 10 isn't because they're incapable; it's because they're prioritizing margins over meaningful passenger experience." A 2024 report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found major U.S. airlines generating billions in revenue from charging "sky high junk fees," such as checked bags and seat assignments, to passengers. Between 2018 and 2023, seat reservation fees made a combined $12.4 billion for American, Delta, United, Frontier and Spirit. "U.S. carriers need to understand that international passengers and, increasingly, Americans too, expect more than just an on-time flight," said Radchenko, adding that they should invest in improving the traveler experience instead. "Travelers may not buy tickets based on awards, but they feel the difference, and they vote every day with their wallets and loyalty, he continued. "Until U.S. airlines close the gap on these fundamentals, we'll continue to see them locked out of the global top tier.'
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Qatar Airways CEO details crisis after Iran missile strikes disrupt flights
Qatar Airways Group's chief executive has released an open letter, explaining what happened behind the scenes when the airline was forced to divert and cancel flights due to Iranian missile strikes on US military bases, with more than 20,000 passengers directly affected. Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer called the event an
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Airways wraps up landmark showcase at Paris Air Show 2025
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Airways concluded its remarkable showcase at the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show and affirmed its position as a global aviation leader. From unveiling pioneering cabin experiences and technological breakthroughs to earning the prestigious Skytrax World's Best Airline title for a record ninth time, the airline's presence captured the attention of industry leaders and aviation enthusiasts worldwide. Throughout the week, Qatar Airways drew acclaim for its impressive aircraft display – featuring the Qsuite Next Gen, the world-class Gulfstream G700 from Qatar Executive, and the UEFA Champions League livery on one of its Boeing 777s. Visitors also engaged with the Qatar Airways L'Universe Lounge, which highlighted AI-driven cabin innovations including Sama and QVerse, along with immersive experiences that brought the Qsuite atmosphere to life. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: 'The Paris Air Show has always been a global stage for innovation and ambition for the industry, and this year Qatar Airways proudly led the dialogue in aviation excellence. From award-winning experiences to pioneering partnerships, every milestone achieved this week reaffirms our relentless commitment to excellence. These recognitions are a testament to the passion of our people, and to the trust of our passengers who inspire us to continuously raise the bar in global aviation.' The airline's pioneering rollout of Starlink-powered high-speed Wi-Fi across its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets also drew widespread interest, positioning Qatar Airways at the forefront of in-flight connectivity and digital transformation. Further solidifying its industry leadership, Qatar Airways signed several key strategic agreements at the show. QA and Baltic Aviation Academy Qatar Airways has launched a multi-crew pilot license training (MPL) programme with Baltic Aviation Academy. The program ensures a gradual integration of cadet pilots into the airline to support its continuous growth plan, driven by Qatar Airways recent historic widebody order. QA,Barzan Holdings and Satys Aerospace Qatar Airways, Barzan Holdings, and Satys Aerospace have partnered to establish Satys' first widebody aircraft painting facility in the region in Qatar. QA and Chef Yannick Alléno Qatar Airways has also partnered with Yannick Alléno to elevate its culinary experience in the sky and on the ground. Read more about this partnership here. QA and F Air Qatar Airways has entrusted F AIR as one of its official training partners for the next generation of pilots through a five-year MPL training agreement. Selected cadets will train in the Czech Republic, supported by F AIR's passionate team of instructors and aviation professionals who embody a shared love for flight. As the first students prepare to start in late 2025, this partnership will also drive new investments and growth in F AIR's infrastructure and team, enhancing the training experience for Qatar Airways cadet pilots. QA and IMG Qatar Airways has partnered with IMG to launch Sport 24 via Starlink. Read more about this partnership here. QA and Thales Qatar Airways and Thales have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to support Qatar Airways' strategic fleet growth plan announced last month. This agreement sets the course for future in-flight entertainment (IFE) innovations to support Qatar Airways' digital transformation journey, giving the airline access to the most innovative technologies. In addition, this MoA offers opportunities for development of a dedicated IFE service and maintenance centre based in Doha, Qatar. The mission of this local Thales facility is to provide rapid access to services including repair, spare distribution, technical assistance, and turnkey maintenance for the full range of Thales IFE products on Qatar's growing new fleet. The state-of-the-art facility will be designed to ensure the highest standards of operational efficiency. QA and Qatar Aeronautical Academy Qatar Airways has launched a MPL programme with Qatar Aeronautical Academy. It is estimated that a total of 750 cadet pilots will benefit from this programme within the next five years, ensuring new opportunities for future young pilots. In a week of accolades, Qatar Airways was once again crowned World's Best Airline by Skytrax, also winning World's Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Lounge for the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge – celebrating its elevated customer experience both on the ground and in the air. With over 300,000 visitors and more than 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries, the Paris Air Show 2025 served as a timely platform for Qatar Airways to spotlight its latest achievements, deepen industry ties, and help shape the future of air travel.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Qatar Airways passengers on diverted flights all put on new flights within 24 hours, CEO says
FILE PHOTO: People sit at Hamad International Airport after Qatar reopened its airspace following a brief closure in the wake of Iran's missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base on Monday, in Doha, Qatar, June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Qatar Airways passengers on diverted flights all put on new flights within 24 hours, CEO says DUBAI - Qatar Airways said on Wednesday that all of the roughly 20,000 passengers who were on flights that were diverted on Monday night after Iran fired missiles towards a U.S. military base in the Gulf country were put on new flights within 24 hours. Iran launched a missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Doha after the U.S. joined Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, threatening a further escalation in regional tensions before a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was announced. The attack forced Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain to shut their airspace temporarily while Dubai's two airports in the United Arab Emirates briefly halted operations. The closures created a backlog of thousands of passengers at Doha's Hamad International Airport who queued for hours, facing long delays and flight cancellations. "All passengers from diverted flights — approximately 20,000 in total — were cleared within 24 hours," Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in an open letter posted on X. "More than 11,000 resumed their journeys during the morning wave on 24 June, with the remainder departing through the evening wave and morning bank on 25 June. As of today, there are no passengers from diverted flights left stranded." Traffic at the airport on Wednesday was regular with minimal delays and no crowds, according to a Reuters witness. Al-Meer said that at the time of the attack, over 90 Qatar Airways flights heading to Doha "were forced to divert immediately" while more than 10,000 passengers were already in transit at Doha's airport. The airline, which carried just over 43 million passengers in the year to the end of March, activated its business continuity plans, increasing capacity to destinations with high volumes of displaced passengers, in response to the turmoil following the attack, he added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Qatar Airways passengers on diverted flights all put on new flights within 24 hours, CEO says
DUBAI, June 25 (Reuters) - Qatar Airways said on Wednesday that all of the roughly 20,000 passengers who were on flights that were diverted on Monday night after Iran fired missiles towards a U.S. military base in the Gulf country were put on new flights within 24 hours. Iran launched a missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Doha after the U.S. joined Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, threatening a further escalation in regional tensions before a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was announced. The attack forced Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain to shut their airspace temporarily while Dubai's two airports in the United Arab Emirates briefly halted operations. The closures created a backlog of thousands of passengers at Doha's Hamad International Airport who queued for hours, facing long delays and flight cancellations. "All passengers from diverted flights — approximately 20,000 in total — were cleared within 24 hours," Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in an open letter posted on X. "More than 11,000 resumed their journeys during the morning wave on 24 June, with the remainder departing through the evening wave and morning bank on 25 June. As of today, there are no passengers from diverted flights left stranded." Traffic at the airport on Wednesday was regular with minimal delays and no crowds, according to a Reuters witness. Al-Meer said that at the time of the attack, over 90 Qatar Airways flights heading to Doha "were forced to divert immediately" while more than 10,000 passengers were already in transit at Doha's airport. The airline, which carried just over 43 million passengers in the year to the end of March, activated its business continuity plans, increasing capacity to destinations with high volumes of displaced passengers, in response to the turmoil following the attack, he added.
