Top 10 world's best airlines 2021

Skytrax has named Qatar Airways as the best airline in the world 2021.

The Middle Eastern airline also won World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat, World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering and Best Airline in the Middle East.

It’s the sixth time Qatar Airways has won the accolade, more than any other airline on the planet. Qatar also won in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

The 2021 Skytrax awards covered the period from September 2019 to July 2021. The results reflect a mix of more normal travel times combined with pandemic travel. The company uses the results of its annual customer survey to determine the overall rankings of each airline.

Singapore Airlines took second place but won awards for World’s Best Cabin Crew, World’s Best First Class, the Best Airline in Asia and the World’s Best First Class Seat.

Qantas was named as Australia’s best airline and the eighth-best in the world.

World's best airline Qatar — Qatar Airways is the best airline in the world according to Skytrax. Credit: Qatar Airways

The best airlines in the world 2021

According to Skytrax, these are the top 10 airlines in the world.

Qatar Airways
Singapore Airways
ANA All Nippon Airways
Emirates
Japan Airlines
Cathay Pacific
EVA Air
Qantas
Hainan Airways
Air France

‘A challenging year’

Qatar Airways was the first global airline to receive the Skytrax COVID-19 Safety Rating in January 2021. Its home and hub, Hamad International Airport, was voted the World’s Best Airport 2021 in August.

“Being recognised as the World’s Best Airline for the sixth time is an incredible achievement for our airline and I want to thank our loyal passengers for this award,” Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker said.

Qatar airways onboard service best airline in the world — Qatar Airways has won the award for the world’s best airline. Credit: Qatar Airways

“Having gone through one of the most challenging years in aviation history, this award is fitting recognition for all the hard work by the entire Qatar Airways family to take care of our passengers.

“We never abandoned them when they needed us the most, we kept flying to get people home, focused on biosafety to provide customer and employee reassurance and continued to innovate during this period.”