The 2024 World Airline Awards have been announced in a gala ceremony held June 24 at the iconic Fairmont Windsor Park, close to London Heathrow Airport. More than 325 guests attended the event from airlines across the world, with a large number of airline CEO’s, Presidents, and Senior Management present to accept their awards. As has become customary at the World Airline Awards, there were a lot of uniformed airline staff proudly displaying the airline corporate brands.

Widely regarded as “the Oscars of the aviation industry,” the World Airline Awards began in 1999, and remain totally independent and impartial with all of the customer survey costs and awards event paid by the organisers, Skytrax.

Commenting on Qatar Airways achievements, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, stated, “This is a proud Qatar Airways moment and it is my honour to share this award with my hardworking colleagues. This award is testimony to our relentless dedication to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to more wins in the future.”

In addition to being named the World’s Best Airline 2024, Qatar Airways also scooped the top awards for the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Lounge and the Best Airline in the Middle East.

The 2023 Airline of the Year winner, Singapore Airlines, was ranked No 2 in the world for 2024, with Emirates in third place, ANA All Nippon Airways fourth, and Cathay Pacific in fifth position, out of more than 350 airlines included in the survey results.

Singapore Airlines took top honours with the award for the World’s Best Cabin Staff and their First Class Suites continuing to dominate by winning the award as the World’s Best First Class. In one of the most competitive global regions for airline service standards, Singapore Airlines also scooped the accolade for the Best Airline in Asia.

ANA All Nippon Airways achieves the No 4 global ranking, repeating earlier success by winning the award for the World’s Best Airport Services. ANA also won the award for the Best Airline Staff Service in Asia.

Saudi Arabian Airlines wins the 2024 award as the World’s Most Improved Airline, ahead of STARLUX Airlines in 2nd place and PLAY in 3rd position. This award reflects an airline’s Quality improvement across the entire Awards programme, evaluating each airline’s change in the global rating, and their performance in different award categories.

AirAsia was the repeat winner of the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline award, a title it has won each year since 2010. Scoot received a top award as the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.

Spanish airline, Volotea, received the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe, a great achievement for such a competitive cost airline market. Transavia France was ranked No 2 in Europe, and Vueling in third place.

The award for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline was won by British Airways. This award covers many aspects of the experience, including family seating policies, family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, children’s amenities / toys / activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, child luggage and policies for carrycot / pushchairs, and the standards of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during the family travel experience.

Plaza Premium received the award as the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator, with its Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport ranking top in 2024.

Cathay Pacific received the award for the World’s Best Economy Class, with Japan Airlines winning the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class.

The Best Regional Airline Awards are for full service airlines that primarily operate domestic and / or International flights up to approx. 6 hours. Topping the global ratings as the World’s Best Regional Airline is the repeat winner Bangkok Airways, and for the eighth consecutive year has proven to be a true customer favourite.

In the India / South Asia region, Vistara reigns supreme and was again named winner of the Best Airline in India / South Asia award, in addition to Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

Fiji Airways secured the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific for the second time, and also won the award as the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific.

In North America, Delta Air Lines received the awards as the Best Airline in North America, also collecting the top award for the Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

Allegiant Air received the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America for the first time, in what is a very competitive LCC market.

Air Transat were named the World’s Best Leisure Airline, an award the Canadian airline has won on five previous occasions.

Ethiopian Airlines has won the Best Airline in Africa award for the sixth consecutive year, Turkish Airlines was the Best Airline in Europe, Hainan Airlines was named the Best Airline in China and airBaltic won the award as the Best Airline in Eastern Europe.

Turkish Airlines was also recognised for its very high catering standards with the Best Business Class Catering award.

Air France was a multiple winner in 2024, with three awards for the World’s Best First Class Catering, the Best First Class Lounge Dining (CDG) and the Best Airline in Western Europe.

Star Alliance collected the award as the World’s Best Airline Alliance and also won the Best Airline Alliance Lounge award for its new Paris CDG Airport lounge.