Qatar Airways becomes the first airline to win ‘Best Airline’ prize for a fifth time at the Skytrax World Airline Awards

Qatar Airways becomes the first airline to win ‘Best Airline’ prize for a fifth time at the Skytrax World Airline Awards

  • Airline also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best Business Class Seat’
  • The national carrier of the State of Qatar becomes the first airline to win ‘Best Airline’ prize for a fifth time in what are widely regarded as the ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry’

DOHA, Qatar, 2019-Jun-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways is thrilled to have won four prestigious prizes at this year’s 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, including the highest accolade of ‘World’s Best Airline’ – becoming the only airline in the competition’s history to win it five times (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019).

The airline has been named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ for a third successive year, while its ‘World’s Best Business Class’ accolade is the fourth year in succession that it has won that award. In retaining its ‘World’s Best Business Class Seat’ award for its patented Qsuite product, the airline beat strong competition from all over the world.

Minister of Transport and Communications, His Excellency Mr. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, who attended the Skytrax Awards ceremony, said: “This is a great day for the state of Qatar, and I am delighted to have been here today to witness Qatar Airways being recognised as the ‘Best Airline of the Year’ for the fifth time”.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, – who was accompanied by Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, Engr. Badr Al Meer, – said: “The Skytrax awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious in the airline industry, so to have won so many prizes at the 2019 ceremony is a truly memorable experience for Qatar Airways.

“We are thrilled to be globally recognised by our customers by winning these four prestigious awards. Being the first airline to be named ‘Airline of the Year’ for the fifth time is a landmark achievement and, combined with three other major Skytrax awards, is testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Qatar Airways team. It is a proud moment for the airline as our constant innovation and service standards set the benchmark in our industry.”

“The fact that the Skytrax awards are voted for by travellers makes them especially meaningful for all of us in the industry. Aviation is a competitive business, and to have received such recognition will spur us all at Qatar Airways to even greater heights and we look forward to delivering our world-class product to millions of passengers in the coming years.”

Commenting on the awards, Skytrax Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Edward Plaisted, said: “To be named as the World’s Best Airline is a great recognition of Qatar Airways’ high standards, and recognises the hard work and dedication from every member of staff to satisfy customers. To achieve this accolade for a fifth time is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them for this unique success.”

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners. The awards are referred to by media around the world as “the Oscars of the aviation industry”.

Skytrax pay all costs of the Survey and Awards event, and airlines do not pay any entry or registration fee. The awards event and award presentations are supplied by Skytrax at no charge. There are no fees or costs for airline use of the award logos and results. More than 100 customer nationalities participated in the survey with 21.65 million eligible entries counted in the results. Survey entries were screened by Skytrax to identify IP and user information, with duplicate, suspect or ineligible entries deleted. More than 300 airlines are featured.

Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, offers a First Class experience in the Business Class cabin. Qsuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry. Qatar Airways proudly launched Qsuite at ITB Berlin in March 2017 to outstanding global acclaim, and has set a new standard for luxury travel with this innovative product. These awards demonstrate the quality of Qatar Airways’ unrivalled level of service, and prove that the airline continues to win the confidence of the travelling public.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The airline will add a number of new destinations to its extensive route network in 2019, including Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia and Langkawi, Malaysia.

Notes to Editors:

About Qatar Airways: 

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 160 business and leisure destinations on board a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Langkawi, Malaysia; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey; and Mogadishu, Somalia.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways has been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, four times.

Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.

Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.

Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 250 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 16 Boeing 777 freighters and five Airbus A330 freighters.

For further information, please contact:

Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
Email:  qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa

Source: Qatar Airways

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