Air Canada soared to the top of the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, claiming the title of Best Airline in North America during a prestigious ceremony at the Paris Air Show. The carrier’s comprehensive upgrades, including complimentary Wi-Fi, enhanced digital services, and premium cabin offerings, secured its victory in the annual customer satisfaction rankings determined by over 22 million traveler surveys.
North American Aviation Landscape
While Air Canada led the regional rankings, other U.S. carriers followed closely with Delta Airlines securing second place, United Airlines ranking fourth, JetBlue fifth, and Alaska Airlines sixth. Notably, no U.S. airline broke into the global top 20 list, where Air Canada placed twentieth—the sole North American representative among international aviation leaders.
Global Aviation Elite
Qatar Airways claimed the World’s Best Airline title for 2025, continuing its industry dominance alongside Singapore Airlines (second) and Cathay Pacific (third). The top ten featured a strong Asian and Middle Eastern presence with Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, Air France, Japan Airlines, and China’s Hainan Airlines rounding out the elite group.
Air Canada’s Award Sweep
Beyond its regional triumph, Air Canada collected multiple honors including World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining for its Toronto Pearson Signature Suite. The carrier also earned recognition as North America’s Most Family-Friendly Airline and received accolades for having the continent’s best cabin crew—a testament to its comprehensive service enhancements implemented throughout 2024.
Passenger-Driven Rankings
The Skytrax awards reflect extensive customer surveys evaluating over 300 airlines on service quality, product offerings, and staff performance. This year’s results highlight growing passenger appreciation for digital integration and premium experiences, with Air Canada’s investments in free connectivity and its revamped mobile app particularly resonating with travelers.
Industry Implications
The continued dominance of Asian and Middle Eastern carriers in global rankings underscores shifting competitive dynamics in commercial aviation. While U.S. airlines maintain strong operational performance, the awards suggest customer experience innovations by international competitors are setting new industry standards that North American carriers must address to climb future rankings.
