Skytrax has once again organized the annual airlines prize for the best airlines this year. Qatar Airways swept the annual World Airline Awards, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in England across for the second time. Qatar Airways has bagged the World’s Best Airline Award for the year 2012. The second and third honors were bestowed on South Korea’s Asiana Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
This year’s awards had some reshuffle in places in the top ten slot. Air New Zealand and Qantas slipped out of top ten, from their last year’s position. On the other hand ANA All Nippon Airways and Malaysia Airlines climbed up the ladder and reached the top ten slot. The ailing airline industry in India did not figure anywhere on the best slot. However top ten slot was dominated by Asia and Middle East flight operators, this year. The opinion poll gathered approximately from 18 million international flyers between July 2011 and June 2012 collected by Skytrax formed the basis of the awards. The jury considered the various issues of airline passenger experience, from check-in to in-flight entertainment based on the rankings given by the flyers.
The best in the individual services category were Etihad Airways won Best First Class Airline, taking home the Best First Class Catering and Best First Class Seat awards too.
Cathay Pacific has the Best Business Class while Singapore Airlines won the Best Economy Class award, and also the Best Economy Class Catering award.
The Best Airline Signature Dish and Best Cabin Staff went to Malaysia Airlines. The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier serves delicious satay chicken and beef sticks onboard. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
Top 10 of the 2012 World Airline Awards
1. Qatar Airways
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Etihad Airways
7. Turkish Airlines
8. Emirates
9. Thai Airways
10. Malaysia Airlines
Best first class airline: Etihad Airways
Best business class airline: Cathay Pacific Airways
Best economy class airline: Singapore Airlines
Best cabin staff: Malaysia Airlines
Best inflight entertainment: Emirates
Best regional airlines: Garuda Indonesia
Best low-cost airlines: AirAsia
Most improved airlines: China Eastern Airlines
Best seats:
First class: Etihad Airways
Business class: Oman Air
Premium economy: Turkish Airlines
Economy class: Asiana Airlines
Best catering:
First class: Etihad Airways
Business class: SWISS International Air Lines
Premium economy: Qantas Airways
Economy class: Singapore Airlines
Signature dish: Malaysia Airlines
