World’s Best Airlines Announced at Skytrax Airlines Awards 2018
Singapore Airlines has been named the world's best airline for this year, an honor it last won in 2008. It beat last year's victor, Qatar Airways, into second place.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards were announced in London on Tuesday, coinciding with the Farnborough Air Show. The awards are based on surveys of more than 20 million travellers, who rated more than 335 airlines between August 2017 and May 2018.
Singapore Airlines has been named the world's best airline for this year, an honor it last won in 2008. It beat last year's victor, Qatar Airways, into second place. Singapore Airlines also claimed the awards for best first class, best airline in Asia and best first class seat.
Qatar, which held the crown in 2015, 2012 and 2011 -- as well as 2017 -- didn't leave empty handed. The Doha-based carrier took home prizes for best business class, best airline in the Middle East and best business class seat.
"A key 'wow' factor for customers is consistency and this proved to be a real asset for Singapore Airlines who scored highly across both product and service," said Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted.
Asian airlines dominated the list, with seven of the top 10 coming from the region. Lufthansa was the only European airline to make the list.
2018 is shaping up to be a big year for Singapore Airlines. In October, it will relaunch the world's longest flight route by resuming non-stop services between Singapore and New York. The airline will fly the first Airbus A350-ULR (for Ultra Long Range) on the 16,700 km route, taking almost 19 hours. There will be no economy class on the plane, which will feature only business and premium economy seating.
In the past 12 months the airline also rolled out new seats for its A380 superjumbos, including its first double-beds in business class.
World's best airlines for 2018
Singapore Airlines
Qatar Airways
ANA All Nippon Airways
Emirates
EVA Air
Cathay Pacific Airways
Lufthansa
Hainan Airlines
Garuda Indonesia
Thai Airways
AirAsia was named world's best low-cost airline (ranked 22nd overall), the 10th year in a row it has won the award. Other notable awards included Garuda Indonesia winning world's best cabin crew for the fifth year in a row, Emirates winning best inflight entertainment for its 14th year running, and China Southern winning most improved airline.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2018 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).