Singapore Airlines has been voted the World’s Best Airline at the 2023 World Airline Awards, the fifth time that the airline has scooped the Airline of the Year title in the 23 year history of the awards.
@Singapore Airlines/ @.worldairlineawards.com/
The aviation industry gathered at the prestigious Paris Air Show for the announcement of the highly anticipated 2023 World Airline Awards. This event, often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” took place in the iconic Air and Space Museum, and more than 350 guests from airlines around the world attended, including CEOs, Presidents, and Senior Management, who were present to accept their well-deserved accolades. The World Airline Awards, initiated in 1999, are renowned for their independence and impartiality, with all customer survey costs and awards events covered by the organizers, Skytrax.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Singapore Airlines as the World’s Best Airline for 2023. This remarkable achievement marked the airline’s fifth time receiving the prestigious Airline of the Year title in the 23-year history of the awards. Mr. Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines, accepted the award on behalf of the airline, expressing his gratitude to the dedicated employees who worked tirelessly and made significant sacrifices to prepare the airline for the recovery in air travel. Mr. Goh emphasized how this award reaffirmed Singapore Airlines’ commitment to delivering a world-class travel experience and their determination to innovate and invest in industry-leading products and services.
Qatar Airways, a seven-time winner of the Airline of the Year award, secured the second spot in the rankings, followed by ANA All Nippon Airways in third place, Emirates in fourth, and Japan Airlines in fifth. With over 325 airlines participating in the survey, these top-ranking airlines exemplified excellence in the industry.
Qatar Airways proved to be a major winner at the awards, claiming a total of nine accolades. Notably, they were recognized for having the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Seat, the World’s Best Business Class Lounge, the World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, and being the Best Airline in the Middle East. Similarly, Singapore Airlines excelled across various award categories, with nine wins, including the coveted title of the World’s Best First Class and the Best Airline in Asia.
Regional dominance was also observed at the World Airline Awards. Turkish Airlines emerged as the dominant force in Europe, securing four awards, including the highly competitive Best Airline in Europe title. Delta Air Lines was a standout in North America, clinching six awards, while Air Transat, a Canadian airline, received the title of the World’s Best Leisure Airline for the fourth time.
The World Airline Awards encompassed various travel classes, honoring airlines’ outstanding performance in cabin service, cleanliness, airport lounges, and inflight entertainment. Garuda Indonesia, known for its exceptional cabin staff, claimed the title of the World’s Best Cabin Staff for the sixth time. ANA All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, and Qatar Airways were among the top performers in terms of cleanliness. Plaza Premium maintained its winning status as the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator, with its lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport securing the top position.
Several new awards were introduced in 2023 to recognize excellence in specific categories. Air Canada was honored as the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to providing a superior travel experience for families. Cathay Pacific achieved a notable milestone by winning the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment award for the first time. Meanwhile, EVA Air, the pioneer of premium economy class, received the World’s Best Premium Economy Class award as well as the Best Premium Economy Class Catering award.
The World Airline Awards also acknowledged the outstanding performance of regional carriers. Bangkok Airways, a customer favorite, claimed the title of the World’s Best Regional Airline. Rex Airlines from Australia secured the Best Regional Airline in Australia/Pacific award, while Air Astana was recognized as the Best Regional Airline in Central Asia/India.
@Qatar Airways;
The 2023 World Airline Awards showcased the resilience and dedication of airlines worldwide in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.
As the aviation industry continues to recover, these awards serve as a testament to the unwavering commitment of airlines to deliver exceptional service and experiences to their passengers. The Paris Air Show provided a fitting platform to honor the achievements of the winning airlines and set the stage for future advancements and innovation within the aviation industry.
Volotea was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe, this being one of the most competitive low-cost airline markets in the world.
A new award was introduced in 2023, for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline, this being won by Air Canada. This award includes family seating policies, dedicated family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, children’s amenities / toys / activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, free checked luggage and policies for carrycot / pushchairs, and the standard of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during the travel experience.
Garuda Indonesia was recognised with a top prize after being voted as having the World’s Best Cabin Staff – the sixth time it has achieved success in this category.
Plaza Premium maintains its winning status by collecting the award as the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator. The Plaza Premium lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport which ranked No 1 in 2023, and Plaza Premium also had two other lounges featured in the Top 10 ranking.
Cathay Pacific had a notable achievement for 2023 as they were judged as providing the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment for the very first time.
EVA Air won the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class (the travel cabin that EVA invented more than 30 years ago). EVA Air also won the award for the Best Premium Economy Class Catering.
Japan Airlines ranks No 1 in Economy Class, winning the award for the World’s Best Economy Class as well as the award for the World’s Best Economy Class Seat.
The Best Regional Airline Awards are for full service carriers 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, a true customer favourite.
Rising up the rankings in 2023 is Australia’s Rex Airlines winning the Best Regional Airline in Australia / Pacific award.
Fiji Airways secured the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific for the first time, and in a double success also won the award as the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific for the third time.
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.
IndiGo maintains its winning No 1 position as the Best Low-Cost Airline in India / South Asia.
Delta Air Lines was the Best Airline in North America, in addition to Best Airline Staff Service for the region. Sun Country Airlines wins the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America title for the first time.
Alaska Airlines was the Best Regional Airline in North America in this very competitive market. Air Transat were another big winner from North America after being named as the World’s Best Leisure Airline – an award the Canadian airline has won on four previous occasions.
A relative newcomer to the market is Kazakhstan’s FlyArystan that picked up the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia / CIS region.
For the sixth time, Ethiopian Airlines has won the Best Airline in Africa award.
In China, Hainan Airlines was named the Best Airline in China for the 12th time, as well as receiving the Best Airline Staff in China award.
The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2023:
Singapore Airlines;
Qatar Airways;
ANA All Nippon Airways;
Emirates;
Japan Airlines;
Turkish Airlines;
Air France;
Cathay Pacific;
EVA Air;
Korean Air;
Hainan Airlines;
Swiss Int’l Air Lines;
Etihad Airways;
Iberia;
Fiji Airways;
Vistara;
Qantas Airways;
British Airways;
Air New Zealand;
Delta Air Lines.
The World’s Best Cabin Staff in 2023
Garuda Indonesia;
Singapore Airlines;
ANA All Nippon Airways;
EVA Air;
Hainan Airlines;
Qatar Airways;
Cathay Pacific;
Thai Airways;
Emirates;
Japan Airlines.
The World’s Cleanest Airlines in 2023:
ANA All Nippon Airways;
Asiana Airlines;
Qatar Airways;
Singapore Airlines;
Hainan Airlines;
EVA Air;
Cathay Pacific;
Japan Airlines;
Korean Air;
China Airlines.
The World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges in 2023:
Plaza Premium – Rome Fiumicino;
The Pearl – Bahrain Airport;
IGA Lounge – Istanbul;
Primeclass – Muscat;
American Express Centurion – Dallas Fort Worth.
The World’s Best Leisure Airlines in 2023:
Air Transat;
SunExpress;
TUI Airways;
Condor;
TUIfly.
The World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines in 2023:
Scoot;
Jetstar Airways;
Air Canada rouge;
LEVEL;
ZIPAIR.
A number of Best Airline Staff Service awards were presented, these being important awards that recognise the combined airline staff service standards across both the airport and the onboard experience. Austrian Airlines was the winner of the Best Airline Staff Service in Europe, Kenya Airways was the winner of the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa, and Oman Air triumphed by winning the Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East region award.
The World Airline Awards cover all types of travel classes, with an overall Best by Cabin award, Best Seats by Cabin, Best Lounges and Best Onboard Catering by cabin. The overall winners for these awards are:
The World Best First Class Airline: Singapore Airlines;
The World’s Best Business Class Airline: Qatar Airways;
The World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline: EVA Air;
The World’s Best Economy Class Airline: Japan Airlines.
@Qatar Airways;
