Qatar Airways has once again secured its position at the top of the aviation industry, winning the World’s Best Airline title for a record ninth time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The announcement was made during a prestigious gala held on June 17 at the Paris Air Show, hosted at the Air and Space Museum’s iconic Hall of Eight Columns at Le Bourget Airport.
Describing the honor as “extraordinary,” Qatar Airways CEO praised the airline’s consistent dedication to excellence in passenger service, innovation, and comfort. The airline also claimed World’s Best Business Class and World’s Best Business Class Lounge for its Al Mourjan Garden Lounge.
Global Rankings Reflect Fierce Competition
Trailing closely behind Qatar Airways was Singapore Airlines, which ranked second globally for 2025. The airline continued its impressive performance, winning World’s Best Cabin Crew, World’s Best First Class, and Best Airline in Asia. Cathay Pacific Airways climbed into third place, followed by Emirates in fourth and ANA All Nippon Airways in fifth, from a field of over 325 airlines evaluated worldwide.
Celebrating Airline Excellence Since 1999
The World Airline Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” are organized by Skytrax, an independent UK-based airline and airport review firm. Established in 1999, the awards are based solely on customer satisfaction surveys, with all costs funded by Skytrax to ensure impartiality.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted noted that this year’s event saw a mix of returning champions and new entrants. “As seen from so many past winners being honored again, consistent quality is a key factor valued by travelers when voting,” he said.
Plaisted highlighted Qatar Airways’ performance as “a fabulous achievement,” emphasizing the airline’s exceptional results across multiple categories and praising its continued leadership in business class service.
Starlux Airlines Named World’s Most Improved
Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines received the 2025 award for World’s Most Improved Airline, signaling a rapid rise in service quality across its operations. The award ceremony also marked Starlux’s debut as a 5-Star Airline, joining a select group of only eleven carriers worldwide with this elite distinction.
AirAsia Maintains Low-Cost Dominance
AirAsia once again claimed the title of World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, extending its winning streak to 16 consecutive years. Fellow budget carrier Scoot earned recognition as the World’s Best Long-Haul Low-Cost Airline.
AirAsia Co-Founder and Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes called the achievement “incredible,” reflecting on the airline’s journey from serving 200,000 passengers in its first year to approaching one billion lifetime passengers in 2025.
“This award belongs to our Allstars. Their passion and resilience have powered our dream,” Fernandes said, thanking Skytrax for recognizing their achievements and customers for their loyalty.
Looking Ahead
With Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and a host of other leading carriers continuing to set new benchmarks for excellence, the 2025 Skytrax Awards highlighted both consistency in quality and emerging competition. The event reinforced the value of customer trust and innovation in shaping the future of global air travel.
