

Qatar Airways tops the list of the best airlines and business and first class products from around the world.
The 2024 World Airline Awards, widely regarded as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry’, has named the top airlines and airline products in time for summer escapes.
In addition to being named the World’s Best Airline 2024, Qatar Airways has 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.
Last year’s Airline of the Year winner, Singapore Airlines, has ranked number two for 2024, although its first class suites (below) continue to win the top spot, as did its crew with World’s Best Cabin Staff. Singapore Airlines was also named top Asian airline.
Emirates has taken the third best airline award. with ANA All Nippon Airways in fourth (it also took World’s Best Airport Services and Best Airline Staff Service in Asia), and Cathay Pacific in fifth position, out of more than 350 airlines included in the survey results. Cathay was also named Best Economy Class while Japan Airlines took the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class.
The Best Regional Airline Award, for full service airlines that primarily operate domestic and/or international flights up to six hours, has been won by repeat winner Bangkok Airways, which for the eighth consecutive year has proven to be a true customer favourite.
AirAsia was the repeat winner of the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline award, a title it has won each year since 2010, while Scoot (below) has received a top award as the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.
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 and activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, child luggage and policies for carrycot and pushchairs, and the standards of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during the family travel experience.
In the India/South Asia region, Vistara, which recently commenced flights to Hong Kong, 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.
Saudia wins the 2024 award as the World’s Most Improved Airline, ahead of STARLUX Airlines in second place and PLAY in third 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.
Beyond Asia, 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 number two in Europe, and Vueling in third place. Fiji Airways (above) secured the Best Airline in Australia/Pacific for the second time, and also won the award as the Best Airline Staff Service for the region, while 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 its region.
Ethiopian Airlines (above) 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.
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, while 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, while 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.
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