In a gala ceremony held at Farnborough Airshow, Skytrax presented the 2016 World Airline Awards. The leaders and top management from over 40 airlines from across the globe attended the event, where Emirates was voted the World’s Best Airline by air travellers.

At the awards event, Edward Plaisted of Skytrax commented: “we are honoured to have so many airlines travel here today and receive their accolades after being voted as Best Airlines in many different categories. For many years we have been dedicated to providing a survey and awards process that remains independent, and delivering an event that is aptly known as the Passenger’s Choice Awards. We have seen many familiar names here today appearing as repeat winners, which I guess reflects that in many cases ‘once a winner, always a winner’ in many customers eyes.

Emirates was named the to the prestigious title of best airline in the world, trumping last year’s winner Qatar Airways, which came second. Emirates also scooped up the awards for World’s Best Inflight Entertainment for a record 12th consecutive year, and Best Airline in the Middle East.

Singapore Airlines took third spot, followed by Cathay Pacific, both in last year’s top five, while ANA All Nippon Airways rose two places to come fifth.

The World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2016

1. Emirates
2. Qatar Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Etihad Airways
7. Turkish Airlines
8. EVA Air
9. Qantas Airways
10. Lufthansa

In other awards, Qatar Airways took gongs for the world’s best business class, best business class lounge and best airline staff in the Middle East, while Singapore was awarded the best airline in Asia and ANA All Nippon Airways was recognised for offering the world’s best airport services and having the best airline staff in Asia for the second year in a row.

Other accolades included the world’s best low-cost airline handed to Norwegian and the world’s most improved airline won by Thai Airways.

Skytrax World Airline Awards: A-Z of winners

• Aegean Airlines Best Regional Airline in Europe
• Aeroflot Russian Airlines Best Airline in Eastern Europe
• Air Astana Best Airline in Central Asia / India, Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia / India
• Air France Best First Class Airline Lounge Dining, Best First Class Comfort Amenities
• Air New Zealand World’s Best Premium Economy Class Cabin, World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat
• AirAsia World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia
• AirAsia X World’s Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin, World’s Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat
• ANA All Nippon Airways World’s Best Airport Services, Best Airline Staff Service in Asia
• Asiana Airlines World’s Best Economy Class, Best Economy Seat, Best Economy Class Onboard Catering
• Austrian Best Airline Staff Service in Europe Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras, Best Low-Cost Airline in South America, Best Airline Staff in South America
• Bangkok Airways World’s Best Regional Airline, Best Regional Airline in Asia
• Cathay Pacific Airways World’s Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness, Best First Class Airline Lounge
• Copa Airlines Best Airline in Central America / Caribbean, Best Regional Airline in Central America / Caribbean, Best Airline Staff Service in Central America / Caribbean
• Emirates World’s Best Airline (Airline of the Year), World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment
• Ethiopian Airlines Best Airline Staff Service in Africa
• Etihad Airways World’s Best First Class, Best First Class Seat, Best First Class Onboard Catering
• EVA Air Best Airline Transpacific, Best Business Class Comfort Amenities
• Finnair Best Airline in Northern Europe
• flyDubai Best Low Cost Airline in the Middle East
• Garuda Indonesia World’s Best Cabin Crew
• Hainan Airlines Best Airline in China, Best Airline Staff Service in China
• Hawaiian Airlines Best Airline Staff Service in North America
• Indigo Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia / India
• Jetstar Airways Best Low-Cost Airline in Australia / Pacific
• Juneyao Airlines Best Regional Airline in China
• Kulula Best Low Cost Airline in Africa
• LAN Airlines Best Airline in South America
• Lufthansa Best Airline in Western Europe, Best Airline Transatlantic
• NorwegianWorld’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline, Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe
• Plaza Premium World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge
• Porter Airlines Best Regional Airline in North America
• Qantas Best Airline Australia in Pacific, Best Airline Staff in Australia / Pacific Best Premium Economy Onboard Catering
• Qatar Airways World’s Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Lounge, Best Airline Staff in the Middle East
• Royal Air Maroc Best Regional Airline in Africa
• Singapore Airlines Best Airline in Asia, Best Business Class Airline Seat
• Sky Airline Best Regional Airline South America
• South African Airways Best Airline in Africa
• Spring Airlines Best Low-Cost Airline in China
• Star AllianceWorld’s Best Airline Alliance, World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge
• Thai Airways World’s Most Improved Airline, Best Airline Lounge Spa Facility
• Thomson Airways World’s Best Leisure Airline
• Turkish Airlines Best Airline in Europe, Best Airline in Southern Europe, Best Business Class Airline Catering, Best Business Class Lounge Dining
• Virgin America Best Airline in North America, Best Low-Cost Airline in North America

Often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry”, the World Airline Awards this year welcomed entries from more airlines than ever before. The winners are then chosen based on what is said to be “the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey”.

While the figures for this year’s awards are yet to be released, last year’s survey of 18.9 million passengers saw more than 245 airlines measured on 41 key performance standards, from the quality of check-in service and boarding procedures to cabin cleanliness and other indicators.

Source: The Telegraph, London