Jan 2022

Airline rankings for 2021 released by Skytrax

Globally, 2021 wasn’t the best year for the airlines due to COVID’s impact on the aviation industry; the situation was different in the Middle East.

Qatar Airways has taken the top spot in the latest ranking of the world’s best airlines by Skytrax. Skytrax World Airline Awards are voted for by travelers via a customer survey, which ran from September 2019 to July 2021.

Number two on Skytrax’s list went to Singapore Airlines, while ANA All Nippon Airways came in at number three.

This is Qatar Airways' sixth time winning the Skytrax top prize. This year it was also awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat, Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, and Best Business Class Onboard Catering.

“It is clear that Qatar Airways has maintained its high standards of innovation and service standards, both in more normal times and through the current global pandemic,” said Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted in a statement on the results.

Skytrax Top Airlines 2021

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

Skytrax World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2021

1. AirAsia
2. Southwest Airlines
3. Scoot
4. Vueling Airlines
5. IndiGo
6. EasyJet
7. Jetstar Airways
8. Ryanair
9. Jetstar Asia
10. Flynas

Skytrax World’s Best Cabin Crew 2021

1. Singapore Airlines
2. ANA All Nippon Airways
3. Thai Airways
4. Garuda Indonesia
5. Japan Airlines
6. Hainan Airlines
7. EVA Air
8. Asiana Airlines
9. Cathay Pacific Airways
10. Qatar Airways

Skytrax Best Airlines by Global Region 2021

• Northern Europe — Finnair
• Western Europe — Air France
• Eastern Europe — Aeroflot Russian Airlines
• Africa — Ethiopian Airlines
• Australia / Pacific — Qantas Airlines
• Central Asia / India — Air Astana
• China — Hainan Airlines
• Central America / Caribbean — Copa Airlines
• South America — LATAM
• North America — Delta Air Lines
• Asia — Singapore Airlines
• Middle East — Qatar Airways
• Europe — Air France

Skytrax Best Airline Seats 2021

• Economy — Japan Airlines
• Premium economy — Delta Air Lines
• Business — Qatar Airways
• First-class — Singapore Airlines