When the COVID pandemic became
global in early 2020, air travel was significantly affected. International
tourism was all but discontinued. The ones still flying in aircraft then have
been mostly people stranded in foreign countries awaiting a ride home, health
officials going from one trouble spot to another, and conveyors of COVID
vaccines among others. This year there have been relaxations in air travel
restrictions, with some tourism trying to get back on its feet. The picture is
still not overly bright, but enough airline traffic is active that a review and
award-giving body has a “top airline list” up.
CNN International reports that UK-based international airline
review consultancy Skytrax has publicized its World Airline Awards winners,
covering a period from September 2019 to this past July. Based on results from
a customer survey with 350 airlines around the world to air travellers during
that time, the top airline is Qatar Airways, based in that nation’s capital of
Doha. It has been a good reception this 2021 for the Middle Eastern air
carrier. Also back in July they were also ranked number one on
AirlineRatings.com for this year. Back with Skytrax, this is Qatar Airways’
sixth time being at the top of the list.
According to Skytrax CEO Edward
Plaisted, Qatar Airways was able to maintain its high standards in innovation
and service even as they transitioned from “normal” times in 2019 to the
pandemic years. This is reflected in the carrier’s placing in the other
categories of the World Airline Awards. Qatar has earned the World’s Best
Business Class, Best Business Class Seat, Best Regional Airline (Middle East), Best
Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Business Class Onboard Catering. These
victories were hailed by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Abu-Baker, saying their carrier
did not abandon their customers during the pandemic and kept them assuredly COVID-safe
via innovative biosafety measures.
Rounding out the Top 10 World’s
Best Airlines for the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021 are (in descending
order), Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways (JPN), Emirates (UAE), Japan
Airlines, Cathay Pacific (HK), EVA Air (Taiwan), Qantas Airways (AUS), Hainan
Airlines (PRC) and Air France. Some of these are also their respective regions’
Best Airline winners: Singapore (Asia), Air France (W-Europe), Qantas
(AUS-Pacific), and Hainan (China). ANA is number one for Cleanest Airline Cabin,
Singapore topped the Best Cabin Crew, and JAL aced Best Airline Seat.
Skytrax notes that the top category
winners in the latest World Airline Awards are still mostly the same dominant
air carriers from years past. On the more affordable end, Malaysia’s AirAsia
was number one among the World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines.
Image courtesy of GEEKSPIN
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