Latest news with #EdwardPlaisted
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Here are the top 20 airlines of 2025, according to Skytrax: Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Emirates ANA All Nippon Airways Turkish Airlines Korean Air Air France Japan Airlines Hainan Airlines Swiss International Air Lines EVA Air British Airways Qantas Airways Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic Saudi Arabian Airlines STARLUX Airlines Air Canada Iberia 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.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These are 2025's best airlines – and none are in the US
USA Today
6 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.'
The Hill
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Top 20 airlines in 2025: No US carriers make the cut
A new ranking of the world's best airlines is out and not a single U.S. carrier landed in the top 20. Qatar Airways took home top honors at this year's Skytrax World Airline Awards, often called the Oscars of the aviation industry. It's the ninth time the Qatari flag carrier has been named the world's best airline by Skytrax since the awards began in 1999. Singapore Airlines, a five-time winner, ranked second for 2025, followed by Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Dubai-based Emirates. European carriers Turkish Airlines and Air France also made the top 10. 'As is indicated by so many former winning airlines being present, quality consistency is clearly well recognized by customers when they vote for these airlines,' Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said in a statement. This year's rankings come from a global passenger satisfaction survey conducted between September 2024 and May 2025. Participants represented over 100 different nationalities and more than 325 different airlines were included in the results, according to Skytrax, which is based in the United Kingdom. While U.S. airlines consistently lead in revenue and fleet size, none cracked the top 20 overall, showing that bigger isn't always better. Delta Air Lines ranked highest among U.S. carriers, finishing 22nd in the world. United followed in 51st with JetBlue close behind in 52nd. A separate category ranking the world's best regional airlines placed JetBlue sixth, followed by Alaska Airlines in seventh. Skytrax defined regional carriers as those that primarily operate domestic and/or international flights of approximately 6 hours or less. U.S. carriers did shine in one category: best in-flight entertainment. Delta ranked sixth, United came in 10th, followed by American at 15th and JetBlue at 20th. Air Canada was named the best airline in North America in this year's Skytrax rankings. The survey asked customers to rate everything from the check-in process and customer service to in-flight amenities like seat comfort, food, entertainment options and even toilet cleanliness. The world's top 20 airlines in 2025, according to Skytrax:
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
SAA ranked 4th-best airline in Africa as it works to overcome turbulent past
South African Airways (SAA) has been ranked the fourth-best airline in Africa in the 2025 World Airline Awards, marking a significant achievement for the national carrier amid a challenging history. In the global rankings SAA moved up two spots from 69th in 2024 to 67th in 2025 out of more than 325 airlines evaluated. In recent years, SAA has grappled with allegations of corruption, mismanagement and state capture. The prestigious awards, often dubbed the 'Oscars of the aviation industry', were announced during a gala ceremony on June 17 at the Paris Air Show, held at the iconic Hall of Eight Columns at Le Bourget Airport's Air and Space Museum. Ethiopian Airlines took the top spot as Africa's best airline, followed by Air Mauritius and RwandAir. Other South African carriers making the continent's top ten included Flysafair in eighth place and LIFT in ninth. Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, which organises the awards, commented on the strength of returning and emerging contenders. 'We welcomed back a large number of previous winners and were also delighted to see new faces and airlines represented. As is indicated by so many former winning airlines being present, quality and consistency is clearly well recognised by customers when they vote for these airlines.' said Plaisted. Qatar Airways group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer beamed with pride after Qatar Airway was crowned the World's Best Airline for the ninth time. 'This is an extraordinary honour. 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.' Al-Meer said the recognition reflects the airline's leadership across multiple categories, including the World's Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline in the Middle East. Singapore Airlines took second place, Cathay Pacific third, Emirates fourth and ANA All Nippon Airways secured the fifth spot. Additional accolades from the 2025 awards included:
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Europe's best airline revealed and it has new cheap flights from the UK
Plus, what Sun Travel thought of the 'World's Best Airline' TOP FLYER Europe's best airline revealed and it has new cheap flights from the UK TURKISH Airlines has been named the best in Europe - for the tenth year in a row. Aviation experts Skytrax - described as the Oscars of aviation - has revealed the winning airlines of its prestigious awards for 2025. 5 Turkish Airlines is 'The Best Airline in Europe', according to Skytrax Credit: Alamy 5 The airline won eight awards in total Credit: Alamy And Turkish Airlines was declared the 'Best Airline in Europe'. They scooped up eight awards in total, being in sixth place for the rankings for 'World's Best Airline'. Turkish Airlines also won the 'Best Economy Class in Europe', 'Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Europe', 'Best Business Class Onboard Catering'. Continuing the list of accolades, it was awarded the 'Best Business Class in Europe', 'Best Business Class in Southern Europe', 'Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Europe', and 'Best Airline in Southern Europe.' It was founded in 1933 and serves the most non-stop destinations of any airline. Turkish Airlines currently flies to 352 destinations in 131 countries. The airline also offers the 'Stopover in Istanbul' service, where passengers connecting in Istanbul can explore the city during their layover and stay in partner hotels free of charge. CEO of Skytrax, Edward Plaisted, said: "Turkish Airlines continues to deliver a carefully crafted product that resonates strongly with passengers - from the warmth of its hospitality to the quality of its onboard dining." "These results reaffirm the airline's standing as a leading carrier in the region and a consistent presence in the global top tier." It's not the first time the airline has won big at Skytrax, last year, it was also named Europe's best carrier. Europe's best airline reveals new plane cabins 5 Brits can fly to Turkish cities as well as destinations like America and Egypt with the airline Credit: Alamy Turkish Airlines also offers cheap flights from the UK to destinations like Istanbul, Antalya, and other Turkish cities, as well as other destinations like New York, Sharm El Sheikh, and Cape Town. Turkish Airlines recently announced its new flights from Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester. The carrier operates 47 weekly flights from London Heathrow, which includes extra to Istanbul. Manchester-Istanbul has increased from 25 to 28 weekly services with flights starting from £171. From London Stansted, you can get a return flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines from £117. Other cheap flights include the route from London Gatwick to Lefkosa with return flights from £170. The airline revealed in June of this year that will be adding more destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Oceania too. Just last year, Turkish Airlines revealed its new business class plane cabins with sliding doors. It's designed with a 1-2-1 layout so that everyone has aisle access. There are marble-style tables as well as rose-gold touches, wireless charging and personal reading lamps. By the end of 2025, Turkish Airlines hopes to roll out free WiFi for all passengers too. 5 Qatar won the award for 'World's Best Airline' Credit: Alamy The winner for 'World's Best Airline' was Qatar Airways - it's the ninth time it has been named the best in more than 25 years of the annual Skytrax Awards. Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey, flew on Qatar for a trip to Sri Lanka, and said it felt like a 'hotel in the sky'. There are lots of movies for entertainment, delicious drinks, and the Qsuite provides plenty of privacy. While some don't want to spend big on business class, the economy seats are roomier than you think too and very comfy according to Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski. Plus, we flew on the airline with the world's best plane food and give our verdict. And the business class pods that we said were 'a game-changer'. Best Airlines in Europe 2025 by Skytrax Here are the European airline winners for 2025... Turkish Airlines Air France Swiss International Air Lines British Airways Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic Iberia KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Austrian Airlines Finnair
