Forget inedible meals, postage-stamp-sized economy seats and sky-high fares – the airline industry is stepping this year. From top-tier comfort and cleanliness to the best customer service and family-friendly facilities, we've rounded up a selection of the winners from Skytrax's World Airline Awards 2024.
Click through the gallery to discover which airlines are pulling out all the stops to make your flying experience that little bit more special this year...
This award analyses an airline’s progress year-on-year, examining its change in global rating within Skytrax’s World Airline Awards programme and its performance improvements in the individual award categories. Coming out on top as the Most Improved Airline for 2024, Saudia – a past two-time champ in this category – has been recognised for its punctuality and its commitment to operational upgrades.
From ranking among the globe’s most on-time airlines throughout 2023 to undergoing a sparkling rebrand, Saudia is going from strength to strength. The flag carrier for Saudi Arabia is also in the midst of acquiring 154 new Boeing and Airbus planes to expand its fleet, which will see a comprehensive interior retrofit in the coming months.
Founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, Hong Kong’s flag carrier comes fifth overall in Skytrax’s list of the World’s Top 100 Airlines this year. Cathay has had no shortage of impressive achievements throughout its history – it operated the first non-stop passenger flight between Hong Kong and New York in 1998, which was also the longest direct commercial flight ever made at that time, taking 15 hours and 35 minutes.
Running away with the Best Airline Cabin Crew title this year, the national carrier for Singapore is commended by Skytrax for the attentive and approachable nature of its flight attendants. Singapore Airlines connects nearly 80 destinations worldwide to and from its home country, with a network spanning five continents.
The airline prides itself on the excellence of its cabin crew, who undergo one of the most rigorous training programmes in the skies and act as ambassadors of this island city-state. The Skytrax website rates Singapore Airlines’ stewards five stars for their language skills, demonstrating how they can effectively personalise the experiences of passengers from all around the globe.
Stealing the show for World’s Best Economy Class (and Asia’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering), Cathay Pacific also proved to be 2024’s top airline for the everyday traveller. Thanks to its top-notch food, comfy seats, complimentary treats and speedy staff service, the airline ranks highly for both its short and long-haul economy experiences.
Serving more than 70 international destinations in 30 countries, Cathay’s fleet of revamped Boeing 777-300ERs have gradually taken flight this year, offering enhanced comfort and contemporary design across all of its cabins. Economy travellers can expect new ergonomic seating, adjustable headrests and even a little shelf on some aircraft to safely stow your phone.
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Sweeping up the award for the World's Best Premium Economy Class, first-time winner in this category Japan Airlines also claimed gold for the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat. Currently one of only 10 5-star airlines according to Skytrax, Japan’s flag carrier has been in the game since 1951, when it became the first civil aviation service to operate in the country since the Second World War.
Japan Airlines got a boost this year when the new Airbus A350-1000 was introduced on its routes. This aircraft offers a few welcome benefits for premium economy travellers, including large privacy dividers, motorised adjustable leg rests and television screens that are 1.3 times larger than their predecessors.
As well as bagging the Best Regional Airline in Asia award, Bangkok Airways took home first place for the World’s Best Regional Airline. It might not come as a surprise: it's the eighth consecutive year the airline has won both awards. It serves 12 Thai hotspots and a growing number of international destinations, including Cambodia, Singapore, the Maldives, China, Hong Kong and Laos.
Bangkok Airways comprises a 24-strong fleet, with each aircraft decorated in their own liveries representing the destinations they fly to. The company's latest generation aircraft, the ATR 72-600, includes a full-glass cockpit and larger overhead bins.
One of the newer airlines to be recognised in the awards, Canadian short-haul carrier Porter was founded in 2006. Flying to 30 destinations (and counting) across Canada and the United States, Porter Airlines claims to offer economy passengers an in-flight experience that’s hard to beat, featuring complimentary beverages, premium snacks and wifi.
Since 1 August 2023, Porter has increased its flight frequency between Toronto Pearson and several other Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary. These routes are served by the airline’s shiny new E195-E2 jets which, among other plus points, have no middle seats – meaning greater comfort and convenience all-round.
This reliable airline has been awarded the World's Best Low-Cost Airline since 2010 and is well-recognised by other industry heavyweights for its budget offerings. The Premium Flatbed seat on its Airbus A330 is considered among the world’s best-value premium cabins, being fully reclinable with adjustable head and foot rests, plus comfy bedding and a privacy screen. Complimentary meals, priority boarding and baggage collection, and access to hours of inflight entertainment are included in the cost too.
The Malaysia-based airline operates flights across its home continent and beyond, with connections to Australia, the US, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Japan and more. Sign up for the rewards scheme and you can earn AirAsia points on whatever fare you choose, which can then be redeemed against hotels, tours, car hire and even future flights.
Scoot, owned by the Singapore Airlines Group, has been awarded first place for budget travellers seeking long-haul destinations for three consecutive years now. The airline's economy class offers three fares: Fly, FlyBag and FlyBagEat. The cheapest fare is Fly, allowing carry-on of up to 10kg (22lbs) per passenger; FlyBag includes 20kg (44lbs) of checked baggage; and FlyBagEat adds on a hot meal.
But there's another reason everyone's talking about Scoot. In September 2022, it launched its first Pokemon-themed plane (pictured). The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (or 'Pikachu Jet TR'), with its colourful livery and Japanese-inspired menu, serves selected journeys between Singapore, Osaka, Tokyo and Seoul throughout 2024.
This is only the second consecutive year that Skytrax has featured this category, which accounts for how well an airline accommodates families being seated together; how helpful staff are; what dedicated family check-in, baggage and boarding procedures are in place; and the quality of children’s meals, entertainment and amenities. In a rare win for a British airline in these awards, the UK’s flag carrier ran away with the title of the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline for 2024.
Surpassing last year’s winner, Air Canada (which slid to third place), British Airways was recognised for its liberal baggage allowance (factoring in pushchairs, car seats and booster seats), priority pre-boarding, and an abundant suite of inflight entertainment to keep both kids and parents occupied for long journeys. The airline serves almost 300 destinations domestically and around the world, including Buenos Aires, Belfast, Marrakech and NYC.
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The largest airline in Latin America, LATAM won big across Skytrax's South America categories in 2024, taking gold for Best Airline, Best Airline Staff and Best Business Class on the continent, among others. The airline serves Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
So what makes LATAM so great? The airline is addressing its sustainability credentials and pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics onboard its services by the end of 2023. It also aims to be zero-waste by 2027 and carbon neutral by 2050. Plus, its range of LATAM Airlines credit cards could see you earn up to 40,000 miles to redeem on flights.
Not only did Ethiopian Airlines rank in the top 40% of Skytrax's list of the best 100 airlines in the world in 2024, but it was also crowned the Best Airline in Africa once again after winning the category for six previous years. The flag carrier of Ethiopia was founded in 1945 and today serves 15 domestic and over 60 international destinations. The airline has the youngest and newest fleet across the entire continent, consisting of Boeing's Dreamliners and Triple Sevens as well as Airbus A350s.
There’s a range of cabin types – economy includes complimentary drinks and its luxury Cloud Nine service provides a curated business-class experience. Guests of Cloud Nine can enjoy exclusive lounge access, additional baggage allowance and an even comfier flight with more room to stretch out.
Turkish Airlines was founded in 1933 with just five aircraft. Today, it flies to 280 destinations in more than 120 countries, best summed up by its tag line: “We fly to more countries than any other airline in the world". The national carrier won the sought-after Best Airline in Europe award, as well as the same award for services in Southern Europe.
The airline offers an incredible culinary service – winning the top award for Europe’s best onboard catering in both business and economy class in 2024 – and its highly regarded lounge welcomes travellers in Istanbul. It’s regularly commended for being the best long-haul travel experience in Europe, and also serves Africa, North America and Asia.
According to Skytrax, Delta Air Lines is the top airline in North America for the third consecutive year. The accolades don’t stop there – the US-owned airline dominated the major North America categories, taking Best Airline Staff Service, Best Business Class, Best Premium Economy Class and Best Economy Class. It’s one of the world’s oldest airlines and is constantly expanding its network, having added London Gatwick to its roster in 2023 for the first time in 15 years.
But what makes it worth flying with? From check-in to landing there’s a seamless system; its Airport Curbside service (at most US airports) allows you to check in your baggage as soon as you’ve exited your vehicle at passenger drop-off. Its cabins range from Basic Economy to Delta One, where you can enjoy your own flat-bed seat, luxury skincare products and chef-curated meals.
Ranked number one for 2024 in the World’s Top 100 Airlines by Skytrax is Qatar Airways, making this the eighth time in the contest’s history that the Qatari flag carrier has been crowned the best of the best. It also beat out the competition in several other categories, including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat, Best Cabin Crew in the Middle East and Cleanest Airline in the Middle East.
Qatar Airways reclaimed the top spot from Singapore Airlines, 2023’s Airline of the Year, though the Singaporean national carrier still cleaned up in the majority of the first-class categories for Asia. The Qatari airline, based out of Doha’s Hamad International Airport, is especially renowned among discerning travellers for 'the world’s best value stopover'. These packages allow you to turn two trips into one, sandwiching in a short break in Qatar en route to your final destination.
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