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. 

 

 

Riyadh Air is all set to begin commercial passenger flights by the end of 2025, CEO Tony Douglas said, as he shared details on the airline’s ambition to surpass regional giants by combining scale with innovation.

The airline, introduced in 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, willconnect Saudi Arabia’s capital to 100 cities by the end of the decade as a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. It aims to position Riyadh as a global hub, complementing Jeddah-based as part of a dual-flag carrier strategy, Douglas told Al Arabiya News in an exclusive interview on GNT presented by Tom Burges Watson.

“This is one of those really important moments in the evolution of aviation within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Douglas said, adding that Riyadh Air aims to become a world class airline.

“In short, the Kingdom’s Emirates, the Kingdom’s Qatar Airways, but bigger and better,” he said.

Fleet and expansion
Riyadh Air’s initial fleet includes 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 60 Airbus A320neo and a third wide-body aircraft is to be announced by summer 2025. The aircraft production is underway, the CEO said, increasing confidence in on-time delivery.

Douglas on Monday said that Riyadh Air would be ready to purchase Boeing aircraft initially scheduled to be delivered to Chinese airlines if China declines to receive them as part of a standoff with the United States due to rising trade tensions over tariffs.

Meanwhile, he also shared that the airline has secured its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which authorizes commercial air transport operations. Riyadh Air recently unveiled its uniforms, crew, liveries and cabin interiors.

With over 1.4 million job applications from 146 nationalities, including pilots, engineers and crew, the air carrier is actively recruiting. It has also launched a Saudi female aviation technician program and plans for a local pilot training academy.

Central to FIFA World Cup 2034
Riyadh Air is set to play a central role in Saudi Arabia hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 and Expo 2030, the CEO said.

“(Riyadh) is already a hub for global entertainment, attractions, culture, and heritage across the whole of the kingdom. We will, of course, see the FIFA World Cup in 2034 in Riyadh… it needs a super-connecting, world-class, full-service airline.”

A digital airline
Riyadh Air will be a digital airline with no legacy systems, and artificial intelligence set to drive a personalized travel experience like digital concierge offering tailored recommendations and seamless booking and refund process.

“The gift we have above all else is no legacy… we have been able to design the airline for the future — a digital airline for the future,” Douglas said.

“What we are going to use AI for is exactly that — to act like a concierge, curating the optionality, the proposition of an experience.”

Onboard experience
The airline will offer four cabin classes – first, business elite, premium economy and economy.

The aircraft’s seats will include a headrest sound system that will allow passengers to listen to any audio without headphones such that the person seating next will not be able to hear the sound.

The business elite and business seats will have privacy doors and suits with a canopy design over the top “symbolic of the Bedouin tent,” when it is pegged at either side, Douglas explained. The privacy suits will also have high definition 4K OLED screens.

 

 

 

 

 

*Adapted from an article originally posted on Gulf Insider. 

 

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World Pilot’s Day is celebrated every year on April 26th and recognizes the many contributions pilots have made in safely transporting millions of people around the world.

In 2014 the day was first commemorated by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) to recognize the many contributions of pilots who safely connect millions of passengers around the world every year. ICAO also celebrates the crucial importance of pilots’ contributions to the sustainability of aviation and our long-standing relationship with IFALPA.

IFALPA’s representation to ICAO plays an important role in implementing the Federation’s policies during the development of ICAO Standards and Recommendations Practices within the Air Navigation Commission (ANC). IFALPA is involved in several Standing Committees to develop work programme items and proposals of mature policy status.

ICAO shows their commitment to environments that support the professional growth and well-being of pilots through various programmes and initiatives. They promote a culture of safety, address emerging challenges in the aviation industry and actively engage with pilot associations, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to ensure that the voices of pilots are heard and their concerns addressed at the global level.

World Pilots’ Day provides an important opportunity for ICAO to commemorate the crucial importance of these professionals and their unions in both developing and advocating for the implementation of our safety, security, and sustainability guidance. It is also an opportunity for them to express their gratitude for the contributions of the pilots working at ICAO to advance these activities, and to offer them a platform to voice their views.

Captain Sheri Pippin and Captain Paul Thoren, of ICAO’s Operational Safety teams and Regional Safety Cooperation teams respectively, share their thoughts on the ways pilots support aviation safety. Here is their message:

With over 16,000 hours of combined experience flying airliners and performing safety oversight functions at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the last 18 years, and now here at ICAO, we have seen the many complicated facets of aviation and how pilots can contribute to make the skies safer. These include, but are not limited to:

> Communication – pilots have to give and receive communication and relay complex information, not only with each other, but with dispatchers (flight operations officers), air traffic controllers, maintenance engineers, cabin safety crew, and other ground operations personnel

> Teamwork and leadership – pilots must foster teamwork among all team members to ensure safe operations, ensuring each team member is heard and empowered to provide input

> Decision making – pilots must be able to interpret information from multiple sources such as weather, flight plans, aircraft systems, air traffic control, and other team members to determine the safest course of action
Knowledge – Accompanying technical skills of flying the aircraft, pilots must have knowledge of other complex items such as regulations, weather, physics, and aircraft systems

> Adaptability, focus, and multi-tasking – when operating an aircraft and dealing with adverse weather, system malfunctions, or air traffic control routing changes, pilots must be able to absorb rapidly changing information or situations and prioritize items in order to ensure the safety of flight.

All of these skills are critical in the flight deck when operating aircraft.

Pilots can also capitalize on these skills learned in flight and translate them into being contributing members of pilot unions, industry groups, Civil Aviation Authorities, or ICAO. These skills can assist in improving safety procedures or regulations, providing critical insight from the perspective of the flight deck.

Pilots should be aware that their valuable skills can translate to places outside of the flight deck and can make a large impact on improving safety. Pilots are critical parts of any safety or oversight team because we interact with so many other job functions and have to use and interpret varying regulations and procedures therefore we have a unique perspective regarding how “all the pieces fit together.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Adapted from an article originally posted on Linkedin by ICAO. 

 

 

Flydubai has built a network of more than 125 destinations across 58 countries served by a young and efficient fleet of 88 Boeing 737 aircraft.

The carrier will take delivery of seven aircraft before the end of 2024 which will further support its ongoing network expansion as it adds Basel, Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius.

To support the carrier’s growth trajectory, there is an ongoing recruitment drive to add more talented professionals to its workforce and this includes pilots, cabin crew, engineers as well as various positions across the business. Today, flydubai has grown its workforce to more than 5,800 skilled professionals representing 140 nationalities, more than 1,200 of whom are pilots. It is on track to hire more than 130 new pilots by the end of this year. Since the beginning of 2024, flydubai has hired more than 440 new colleagues, an increase of six per cent since last year.

Dubai remains one of the most attractive destinations to live and work in and this has enabled flydubai to attract many talented professionals from around the world. flydubai uses multiple channels to recruit its pilots, the majority of whom are direct hires as well as candidates that are recruited via roadshows and third-party agencies.

Flydubai continues to attract more UAE Nationals and over the past two years, it has attracted more young Emirati talent as part of its commitment to recruiting talented professionals and placing them in appropriate roles and positions across the organisation.

Flydubai is also committed to encouraging career development among young UAE nationals, offering apprenticeship opportunities in various departments including Engineering. It offers special programmes for both UAE national pilots and employees in other departments across the business to support future growth opportunities.

Flydubai placed its first-ever wide-body order for 30 Boeing 787-9s at the Dubai Airshow in 2023, a momentous occasion in the history of the airline. flydubai also announced its plan for establishing new maintenance and training facilities which will see greater efficiencies reflecting on its bottom line, a sign of the airline’s maturity. The ongoing recruitment campaigns will support these ambitious plans in the future and reaffirm Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub.

 

 

 

 

*Adapted from an article originally posted on Flydubai. 

 

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Emirates plans to recruit 1,500 new pilots within the next two years as it enters its next era of growth and global expansion.

On World Pilots’ Day, the Dubai-based carrier highlighted ambitious recruitment plans, including 550 aviators this year (2025) alone.

The airline is riding on the success of its Accelerated Command programme which fast-tracks First Officers to the role of Captain, with more than 80 pilots well on their way to achieving this command upgrade.

Emirates is focused on hiring experienced pilots for roles in one of its four programmes:

> Direct Entry Captains
> Accelerated Command
> First Officers Type Rated
> First Officers Non-Type Rated

The new hires will be embraced into a 4,600 strong flight crew community.

Since the start of 2022, the airline has welcomed nearly 2,000 new pilots. This year, Emirates’ recruitment team will host roadshows in more than 40 cities across the world with a goal to hire more than 550 pilots.

After successful sessions in Italy this month, they will visit Norway, Finland and Sweden in May.

To learn more about the eligibility criteria visit www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/pilots.

Emirates pilots fly the world’s youngest and most modern fleet of 261 all wide-body aircraft of Airbus A380s, Boeing 777s and its latest addition, the A350, while flying to more than 148 destinations across six continents.

Emirates pilots enjoy a competitive tax-free salary with profit sharing benefits – ensuring security and stability. They have access to a world-class provident fund and retirement benefits as well as life, medical and dental coverage.

Pilots are chauffeured to and from work in luxury cars and live in spacious villas in gated communities.

Pilots have opportunities to explore the world with family and friends – this includes 42 annual leave days and tickets for the entire family in First or Business Class, plus deeply discounted tickets for self, immediate and wider family, plus friends.

Bidding and swapping for preferred flights and destinations with the airline’s advanced rostering system ensures they can spend special moments with loved ones.

Pilots are part of a vibrant community in Dubai where they live alongside colleagues from more than 110 countries.

The Emirates Platinum Card is designed to offer pilots and their dependents exclusive benefits and access to discounts across thousands of leading brands and retail stores, clubs, clinics, and renowned hospitality outlets both locally and globally.

Complementing this, the Premium Club Membership provides employees and their families entry to premium fitness and leisure facilities at selected clubs in Dubai.

 

 

 

 

 

*Adapted from an article originally posted on Gulf Insider. 

 

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While there is an ongoing pilot shortage in the US, Middle Eastern Airlines are being inundated with qualified applications.

In a meeting with reporters at the Farnborough Airshow in England, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the airline decided it would hire 700 new pilots, and got 20,000 applications within just a few months.

He emphasized that all the applications were from individuals who were “qualified and type-rated“, meaning the pilots already had the necessary training and certification to fly a specific aircraft.

“They have to go through very a stringent testing facility before we select because we are very, very picky,” Al Baker said.

According to the CEO, the applications came from all over the world, minus the US, and that Qatar’s operation has not been impacted by staffing issues.

Qatar is not the only airline receiving thousands of applications for its pilot roles. In May, Norway-based Norse Atlantic Airways received 3,000 applicants for its first 50 pilot job openings, all of which were qualified candidates.

A Norse spokesperson told Business Insider at the time that the number was higher than expected and that pilots’ desire to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had fueled the interest.

So, when a single pilot job vacancy receives thousands of qualified applications, how can you stand out and ensure you give yourself the best chance of landing your dream job?

Aside from being a qualified candidate and having a high level of experience, you obviously need to pass the psyhometric test and simulator session. These stages of the hiring process, however, are usually quite familiar operational tests, or at least closed quantitaive tests, which is why a lot of pilots find the hardest and most daunting stage to be the more open, qualitative, and subjective HR interview.

The interview is a rare moment in this process where, for 30-40 minutes, it has nothing to do with how technically skilled or experienced you are as a pilot, the only thing that matters is if you can effectively, professionally, and concisely communicate your experience, answer challening TMAT questions, and adequately describe how you act in certain situations.

This is the moment that you will either confidently stand out as an exceptional, memorable candidate, or you’ll suffer uncomfortable ‘interview turbulance’ and have a hard landing.

Both the quality of your answers and the way in which you communicate them, will influence the interviewers’ subjective experience and impression of you as a pilot, which ultimately determines one of two outcomes: either you get the best news ever that you’ve been invited to the simulator session, or that your process is simply over.

Nevertheless, depending on the airline you apply to, you may not always be up against thousands of other qualified pilots for the job.

Some airlines, such as a few in the USA, have not been so fortunate with their hiring pools, leading to a pilot shortage that is creating challenges for carriers and passengers.

Companies like American Airlines and United Airlines have been forced to ground about 100 regional aircraft each due to not having enough pilots to fly them, which had also led to route cuts.

Of course, the best jobs and the best companies always attract the best pilots and the most number of applications, but that only makes them all the more valuable and desireable.

My recommendation: Do not leave you interview preparation to the last minute, or simply ‘wing it’ and hope for the best. Being a fantastic pilot, does not mean you are a fantastic interviewee… yet! If the job is important to you, then it deserves the appropriate level of practice and preparation. Focus on what you can control and influence through training and practice, such as the quality of your answers, how effectively you communicate them, and how confident you feel going into the interview! Hire a coach to guide you and give you feedback, so you know what you are doing well, and what you can improve on, giving yourself the best possible chance of succeeding.

 

 

*Adapted from an article originally posted on Business Insider. 

 

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