The aviation industry has suffered significantly amid the Covid-19 pandemic with travel restrictions abound. As Covid-19 regulations are eased, travellers are lapping up every opportunity to take to the sky for their next adventure.

Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com has released its annual round-up of the world’s best airlines.

Here’s a look at which airlines have made the cut:

It’s been another stellar year for Qatar Airways. The airline has again taken the top prize at the AirlineRatings Awards by securing the prestigious Airline of the Year award in addition to being named Best Airline in the Middle East and also taking home the Best Business Class award. 

AirlineRatings.com said Qatar Airways is being honoured for its innovation, product, and industry leadership as well as its commitment to keeping the world’s critical long-haul air routes open during Covid-19 over the past 30 months which has resulted in the airline posting a record profit, despite losing money on many capped flights.

All AirlineRatings awards are given based on strict assessment criteria put together by industry professionals with extensive expertise and experience in the aviation field.

This is the second year running that Qatar Airways has scooped the top prize and the fourth year in a row to take home the Best Business Class award. If you’ve had the pleasure of travelling in the Qsuite, you’d understand why. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yhZDsctiZg

The award-winning Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, offers a unique first-class experience that is popular not only among business travellers, but families, couples and solo travellers alike who are seeking premium comfort in the sky.

The Qsuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed in business class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room and maintain social distancing, a first of its kind in the industry.

Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “Winning these awards is another ringing endorsement of everything that we stand for as an airline, as Qatar Airways is fully committed to providing an unrivalled customer experience. Our goal is to deliver excellence and once again securing the Airline of the Year, Best Airline in the Middle East and Best Business Class demonstrates that we continue to lead the industry as passengers return to the skies. 

As we increase our global network to over 150 destinations, we also recently reported our most successful financial results ever with a profit of $1.54 billion, confirming the airline as an all-round strong performer that is hugely popular with our passengers.

AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said: “Mr Al Baker’s drive for perfection has led to many improvements in aircraft and travellers across the world are better off because of the pursuit of excellence of Qatar Airways.

“The airline has a host of industry firsts. First to complete IATA’s important IOSA safety audit and first to be fully Covid audited and compliant by both AirlineRatings and Skytrax.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxL3mTAXVEc

Air New Zealand is second on the list, which is surprising given that New Zealand was one of the countries that remained on lockdown the longest.

This is the second year in a row that the airline has come in at this position on the rankings list.

For 2022, Air New Zealand was recognised by AirlineRatings.com as the carrier with the best premium economy and economy options, and the best option for long-haul travel in the Pacific region.

Singapore Airlines won the prestigious Best First Class award for its unique Suites product and also Best Lounges. Virgin Australia won Best Cabin Crew and Emirates was awarded Best Inflight Entertainment.

Several new award categories were added this year and the winners are Etihad Airways for Best Environmental Airline, Korean Air for Best Cargo Airline and Vietjet which won Best Value Airline.

AirlineRatings.com also named its Best of the Best. If you’re planning on travelling soon, it’s a great way to decide which airline to travel with.

The top 20:

1. Qatar Airways

2. Air New Zealand

3. Etihad Airways

4. Korean Air

5. Singapore Airlines

6. Qantas

7. Virgin Australia

8. EVA Air

9. Turkish Airlines

10. All Nippon Airways

11. Cathay Pacific Airways

12. Virgin Atlantic

13. Japan Air Lines

14. JetBlue

15. Finnair

16. Emirates

17. Hawaiian

18. Air France/KLM

19. Alaska Airlines 

20. British Airways