The coronavirus pandemic upended air travel around the world, from half-empty planes and canceled flights to rapid Covid-19 tests and mask requirements.
But at least one thing hasn't changed: Qatar Airways is once again the "world's best airline," air transportation research firm Skytrax announced on Tuesday. Qatar Airways also topped Skytrax's global airline rankings in 2019 — the firm skipped its annual ranking in 2020 — making the Doha-based airline a repeat champion, and a six-time winner over the past decade.
This year's rankings are based on more than 13 million customer survey responses, judging 356 airlines on areas like online booking and check-in processes, friendliness of airline staff, seat comfort and the quality of in-flight meals and entertainment. The survey ran from September 2019 to July 2021, according to Skytrax.
Delta Air Lines won the title of best North American airline, while Japan Airlines ranked as the world's best economy class. The survey also recognized Malaysia's AirAsia as the world's best low-cost airline.
Here's a breakdown of Skytrax's 2021 airline rankings, both globally and in North America:
The world's top 10 airlines of 2021
Here are Skytrax's top 10 airlines of 2021, by overall rating:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Emirates
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Air France
Qatar Airways earned especially high marks from business travelers, topping all other airlines in business class-related categories like best seat, best airline lounge and best onboard catering. Travelers rated the airline third for in-flight entertainment, behind Emirates and Singapore Airlines, and fourth in airline cabin cleanliness.
But the reigning champion's dominance isn't without controversy.
Over the past decade, Qatar Airways has come under fire for its treatment of women employees, including contract provisions forbidding its mostly female cabin crew members from getting married or pregnant within five years of starting work with the company. The airline defended those practices in 2014, but then phased out those restrictions a year later.
Women passengers have also reported issues with their treatment on Qatar Airways flights. Last October, 18 women were subjected to invasive and compulsory medical examinations while traveling from Doha to Sydney. Weeks later, the company said it regretted "any distress or infringement" caused by the incident.
Inside a Qatar Airways plane
Bloomberg | Getty Images
Despite that incident, the airline has racked up accolades since the pandemic hit. In July, Qatar Airways nabbed the "best airline" title from airline safety website AirlineRatings.com, which praised the company for adding new destinations during the pandemic. Many other airlines have cut down on flight routes to make up for massive revenue losses.
It's hard to tell how much the move helped: Qatar Airways reported a $4.1 billion annual loss on Monday, and a drop in passengers of more than 80% over the past year.
North America's top 10 airlines of 2021
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September 30, 2021 at 12:51AM
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