Skytrax has just announced the world’s best airline after a global survey from 18 million travellers spanning across 160 countries. Emirates nabbed first place from last year’s best airline, Qatar Airways who had the position 2 years in a row. It was in 2002 that the Dubai-based airline last received the prestige of being the best airline out of 230 major aviation companies in the world. Skytrax’s surveys reflect the data on how good the flight experience is based on the cabin staff’s attitude, the lounge, in-flight entertainment, the food and comfort of each flight. Skytrax also launched an airline forum so that passengers could advise potential travellers on the best airlines there are in the market.
Last year, 39 million customers chose to fly with Emirates, enjoying the airline’s in-flight entertainment for which the company also received an award. Emirates’ president Tim Clark says that “extremely hard work” was the biggest factor for the honor of being the best aviation company. “We’ve got 200 aircrafts, 18,000 cabin crew and ground staff. Operations were not easy but you work hard at what you’re doing, you deliver to people’s expectations and hopefully exceed those expectation”, the company president said.
Coming in second is Qatar Airways while Singapore Airlines received third place for the second time in a row. Asiana Airlines which came in second in 2012 is now at fifth place after Japan’s All Nippon Airways. The rest of the top ten are Cathay Pacific Airways, Etihad Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Turkish Airlines and Qantas Airways. Qantas last received a Skytrax award in 2008 when it placed third in the best airline category. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce expressed that the airlines has had major fleet improvements and new products. The airline now boasts mattresses for international business class menu and wine lists updates and it is also equipped with iPads for streaming in-flight entertainment.
As for other categories, Air New Zealand receives World’s Best Premium Economy Class and the Low Cost Airline Award was received by Air Asia. For the best cabin crew, Cathay Pacific celebrates the award. Cathay Pacific’s CEO John Slosar explains that his “fabulous team” works very hard to make sure that it’s all about the crew. Skytrax is also known for airport reviews and its yearly practice of determining the best one. For 2013, Singapore’s Changi Airport was announced the best airport in the world. The Incheon International Airport in Korea grabbed second place while the only European airport in the awards list, Amsterdam Schipol Airport, was awarded third best.