Qatar Airways crowned world’s best airline in 2025
In what is described as one of the closest races in its history, Qatar Airways has officially reclaimed the title of World’s Best Airline for 2025, according to the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
The rankings are based on more than 21 million passenger surveys collected from travellers across over 100 countries, evaluating everything from cabin comfort to crew professionalism, food quality, entertainment, and airport services.
The top 10 airlines in the world (2025 Skytrax rankings)
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Korean Air
- Air France
- Japan Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
Why Qatar Airways took the top spot
Qatar Airways is no stranger to accolades. This is its eighth consecutive win of the top Skytrax honour. The airline’s Qsuite business class, multi-lingual cabin crew, and cutting-edge in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems continue to set global benchmarks.
According to Skytrax’s audit, Qatar Airways scored highest in:
- Cabin cleanliness and comfort
- Business class seat innovation
- Ground and lounge services at Hamad International Airport, which itself was ranked as one of the world’s top airports
- Consistency in long-haul customer satisfaction
Close contender: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines remains world-renowned for its Singapore Girl service brand, luxurious Suites Class, and emphasis on culinary excellence with menus crafted by top chefs.
The airline remains a global favourite for both business and leisure travellers, particularly on Asia-Pacific routes.
What makes a “best airline”?
Skytrax uses a comprehensive methodology that evaluates:
- Comfort (seat, legroom, cabin ambience)
- Customer service (staff friendliness, multilingual service)
- Food and beverage quality
- Entertainment systems
- Safety protocols
- On-time performance
- Cleanliness and hygiene
With post-pandemic travel regaining momentum, these factors are more important than ever for passengers seeking reliability and value.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
