A certain Middle-Eastern Airline makes history…. again!

The usual contenders for the top spot, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, waited in anticipation to see who would be crowned the winner of the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

And merely weeks after announcing the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history, Qatar Airways celebrates another major achievement.

The Qatar flag carrier has just been named the winner, and defending champion, of the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, which was announced at the Paris Air Show.

This is the ninth time Qatar Airways has received the honor in the 26-year history of the awards, which are known as the Oscars of the aviation world, something no other airline has come close to achieving. The closest competitor, Singapore airlines, which took second place this year, has won just 5 times, while Emirates and Cathay Pacific have both won 4 times, since the award began in 2001. 

In fact, since 2017, this has been a battle dominated by two world class airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. A western airline hasn’t taken the top spot since British Airways won in 2006. A reflection, perhaps, on the clear priority that Middle-Eastern and Asian airlines give to exceptional quality, safety, and passenger experience. 

Passion, Precision, and Purpose:

“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,” said Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group CEO.

“To retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving global industry reflects the relentless efforts across every part of the business, from the frontline to behind the scenes, the passion and commitment of our people continue to set new standards in aviation.”

Qatar was also named Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class, and Best Business Class Airline Lounge.

The awards come after the airline, established in 1993, announced that it was purchasing up to 210 widebody jets, including 130 Dreamliners, and 30 777-9s from Boeing in a historic order last month.

“These accolades reaffirm our ambition not only to lead, but to redefine what exceptional service means in aviation,” added Al-Meer.

“Whether on the ground or in the air, we strive to deliver a seamless, elevated journey that anticipates the needs of our passengers and reflects the highest standards of quality, comfort, and innovation.”

 

Old Favourites and New Faces:

Singapore Airlines, a five-time winner of World’s Best Airline award, took second place this year, also receiving the award for World’s Best Cabin Crew, along with World’s Best First Class and the Best Airline in Asia.

Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific was third, with Dubai’s Emirates airline taking fourth place, and Japan’s ANA All Nippon Airways taking fifth.

Turkish Airlines was sixth, while seventh place went to South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air and France’s flag carrier Air France was eighth.

Finally, Japan Airlines took ninth position and China’s Hainan Airlines rounded out the top 10.

“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.

“As is indicated by so many former winning airlines being awarded again, quality consistency is clearly well recognized by customers when they vote for these airlines.”

The “wholly independent and impartial” awards, which began in 1999, saw votes gathered from surveys of around 22.3 million customers, with more than 325 airlines featured this year.

 

The World Top 20 Airlines In 2025
1. Qatar Airways

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Cathay Pacific

4. Emirates

5. ANA All Nippon Airways

6. Turkish Airlines

7. Korean Air

8. Air France

9. Japan Airlines

10. Hainan Airlines

11. Swiss Int’l Air Lines

12. EVA Air

13. British Airways

14. Qantas Airways

15. Lufthansa

16. Virgin Atlantic

17. Saudi Arabian Airlines

18. STARLUX Airlines

19. Air Canada

20. Iberia

The World’s Best Cabin Crew 2025
1. Singapore Airlines

2. ANA All Nippon Airways

3. Cathay Pacific Airways

4. Garuda Indonesia

5. EVA Air

6. Hainan Airlines

7. Japan Airlines

8. Malaysia Airlines

9. Starlux Airlines

10. Korean Air

World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2025
1. AirAsia

2. Scoot

3. Indigo

4. Eurowings

5. Vueling Airlines

6. Volotea

7. Transavia

8. Iberia Express

9. Flynas

10. easyJet

 

The World’s Best Regional Airlines 2025
1. Bangkok Airways

2. Virgin Australia

3. Porter Airlines

4. Aegean Airlines

5. Azerbaijan Airlines

6. jetBlue Airways

7. Alaska Airlines

8. Hong Kong Airlines

9. RwandAir

10. Royal Air Maroc

The World’s Cleanest Airlines 2025
1. EVA Air

2. ANA All Nippon Airways

3. Cathay Pacific Airways

4. Qatar Airways

5. Singapore Airlines

6. Hainan Airlines

7. Starlux Airlines

8. Japan Airlines

9. Korean Air

10. China Southern

 

The full list of winners can be found on the Skytrax website.

 

 

*Adapted from articles originally posted on CNN and by Skytrax World Airline Awards.