In a grand ceremony held at the historic Hall of Eight Columns at Le Bourget Airport during the Paris Air Show, Skytrax officially crowned Qatar Airways as the World’s Best Airline for 2025. This marks the ninth time the Doha-based carrier has received this prestigious recognition, reaffirming its position at the pinnacle of global aviation.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry”, attracted over 500 airline representatives from around the globe. This annual event, known for its rigorous assessment process, evaluated more than 325 airlines worldwide through customer satisfaction surveys focused on service quality, in-flight experience, airport services, cleanliness, and innovation.
Qatar Airways: A Standard of Excellence
Qatar Airways’ continued dominance in the aviation sector stems from its unwavering commitment to service quality, customer experience, and technological innovation. Whether it’s their state-of-the-art Qsuite Business Class, enhanced in-flight entertainment systems, or impeccable cabin service, the airline has constantly raised the bar.
“Winning this award for the ninth time is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing passengers with a world-class flying experience,” said a spokesperson from Qatar Airways during the ceremony. “We continue to innovate and improve our service standards to exceed expectations in today’s competitive airline industry.”
Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Follow Closely
Following Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines took the second spot and also claimed titles for Asia’s Best Airline and World’s Best Cabin Crew, showcasing its excellence in both luxury and hospitality. Cathay Pacific secured the third place, and was additionally honored for offering the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment.
Other prominent airlines in the top rankings included Emirates (4th), ANA All Nippon Airways (5th), and Turkish Airlines (6th), highlighting the strength of carriers across Asia and the Middle East in delivering high-quality travel experiences.
Full List: World’s Top 20 Airlines of 2025
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar Airways |
| 2 | Singapore Airlines |
| 3 | Cathay Pacific |
| 4 | Emirates |
| 5 | ANA All Nippon Airways |
| 6 | Turkish Airlines |
| 7 | Korean Air |
| 8 | Air France |
| 9 | Japan Airlines |
| 10 | Hainan Airlines |
| 11 | Swiss International |
| 12 | EVA Air |
| 13 | British Airways |
| 14 | Qantas Airways |
| 15 | Lufthansa |
| 16 | Virgin Atlantic |
| 17 | Saudi Arabian Airlines |
| 18 | STARLUX Airlines |
| 19 | Air Canada |
| 20 | Iberia |
Spotlight on Cabin Service and Low-Cost Excellence
Singapore Airlines topped the chart for Best Cabin Crew, followed by Japan’s ANA and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific. In the low-cost segment, AirAsia once again dominated the category of World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines, followed by Scoot and Indigo, demonstrating that quality and affordability can indeed go hand-in-hand.
Specialized Awards Reflecting Global Standards
In addition to the main rankings, several other categories highlighted specific strengths across the airline industry:
- Most Family-Friendly Airlines: Lufthansa, British Airways, and Emirates were lauded for family-focused travel features and services.
- Cleanest Airlines: EVA Air, ANA, and Cathay Pacific received recognition for maintaining exceptional hygiene standards.
- Best Inflight Entertainment: Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Qatar Airways offered passengers top-tier digital entertainment experiences.
- Best Airport Services: Japanese carriers ANA and Japan Airlines, alongside Taiwan’s EVA Air, led in airport efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Class-Specific Excellence
The Skytrax Awards also celebrated airlines that excelled in individual cabin classes, recognizing luxury and value in both premium and economy travel.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best First Class | Singapore Airlines |
| Best Business Class | Qatar Airways |
| Best Premium Economy Class | Virgin Atlantic |
| Best Economy Class | Cathay Pacific |
Airlines to Watch: Rising Stars
Starlux Airlines emerged as the Most Improved Airline, alongside ITA Airways and HK Express, signaling rapid growth and rising customer approval. These carriers are expected to climb even higher in global rankings in the coming years.
The Global Aviation Benchmark
The Skytrax rankings continue to serve as a global benchmark for airline performance and passenger satisfaction. From comfort and cuisine to innovation and service, these rankings reflect how airlines are evolving to meet the changing needs of travelers.
For passengers looking to book their next international journey, the 2025 Skytrax rankings offer a trusted guide to the world’s best airlines, with Qatar Airways leading the way as the gold standard in global air travel.
