One more year, the portal specialized in air transport Skytrax has just made public the World Airline Awards in Paris, the prestigious awards considered by the sector as the Oscars of aviation. The awards come at a good time, at the beginning of the summer of a season in which all indicators point to records. The strong demand sponsored by the end of the pandemic -whose sales figures would equal or exceed those of 2019- has triggered a price increase that according to Destinia could be around 24%.
The Skytrax acknowledgments are especially noteworthy, since they are the result of surveys carried out between September 2022 and last May of more than 20 million travelers from a hundred countries around the world. The winning company this year -in which around 325 airlines have been analyzed- is Singapore Airlines, which snatches the first position from Qatar Airways, which has taken first place in seven of the 23 editions held to date. .
The top ten of the best airlines of 2023 hardly changes compared to last year, beyond the entry of Cathay Pacific and EVA Air, to the detriment of Qantas Airways, the Australian flag carrier, and Swiss. For its part, Iberia, in position 14, is the first Spanish in the list after climbing eleven places, while Vueling has fallen from number 51 to 67 in the general ranking.
Volotea deserves a special mention, which has won the title of best low-cost airline in Europe. The Barcelona-based low cost has snatched the scepter from Ryanar. Founded in 2011 by Carlos Muñoz and Lázaro Ros, Volotea has transported 50 million passengers throughout the continent since 2012.
This is the fifth time that the company with its base of operations at the Changi airport -the world’s number 1- has been catapulted to the first position. Singapore Airlines also grabs various awards in other categories such as Best First Class Airline, Best First Class Amenities, and Best Airline on the Asian Continent. Likewise, Scoot, a subsidiary of the group, leads long-haul low cost. The Singapore airline, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, has a fleet of 147 aircraft and flies to 88 destinations, especially in Asia.
Despite having lost first place, Qatar Airways has not left Paris empty-handed. The Qatari company continues to dominate in business class, with awards for best business class in the world, best business class seat, best VIP lounge and best company in the Middle East. With a hub at Hamad airport, it currently flies to more than 175 destinations and has 242 aircraft.
The Japanese climbs a position in this year’s World Airline Awards. Also known as Zennikku, and popularly as ANA, its reference hubs are the airports of Narita, in Tokyo, and Osaka. It is currently the largest in the country, operating 85 international and 119 national routes. As in previous editions, it repeats awards for its airport services and for being considered the cleanest airline in the world.
This year’s edition has left Emirates out of the world podium. With one of the youngest fleets in the world, made up exclusively of A380s and Boeing 777s, the airline flies to more than 150 destinations around the globe. Founded in 1985, its base of operations is in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
The second best placed Japanese company in the 2023 aviation Oscars is Japan Airlines, which advances one position compared to last year. Based in Shinagawa (Tokyo), it has a fleet of 148 aircraft that fly to more than 90 destinations. Founded in 1951, it has been recognized as the best in the world in economy class and for having the best seat in economy class as well.
Turkish Airlines also climbs one position compared to the last ranking. The Turkish flag company reaffirms itself as number 1 on the Old Continent. The best placed European in the World Airline Awards is based at the Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul. It flies to more than 300 destinations in 124 countries and has a fleet of close to 350 aircraft.
One more year, Air France has had to settle for being declared the second best European airline – it was ousted from the first position by Turkish Airlines in 2022 – despite advancing one position compared to the last edition. The French company’s base of operations, which this year celebrates its 90th anniversary, are the Paris Charles de Gaulle facilities. It has 212 aircraft and flies to more than 200 destinations around the world.
Based at Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific has 157 aircraft and operates passenger and cargo flights to more than 200 destinations in 52 countries. Its progression in the Skytrax ranking this year is remarkable, as it has slipped into eighth position from 16th place. For the first time in its history, it has managed to win the award for the best in-flight entertainment in the world.
EVA Air has entered the top ten in a big way, climbing nine positions. The Taiwanese airline based at Taoyuan International Airport has also won two awards, the best premium economy class in the world – a cabin it invented three decades ago – and the best premium economy catering. It flies to 77 destinations and has a fleet of 86 aircraft.
Korean Air, at No. 10 at the World Airline Awards, has its main base of operations at Incheon Airport in Seoul. The largest airline in South Korea has a total of 158 aircraft and flies to 20 domestic destinations and more than 126 cities on five continents. Their planes have a characteristic blue tone that makes them fully recognizable.
