World's Best Airlines For 2024 Revealed; Three Indian Airlines In Top 100

Three Indian airlines have earned a spot among the top 100 in the 2024 World Airline Awards announced by Skytrax on Monday.

The prestigious awards, often referred to as the 'Oscars of the Aviation Industry', were declared at a grand ceremony held at the Fairmont Windsor Park near London's Heathrow Airport.

The Indian airlines that made it to the list are Vistara (16), IndiGo (52), and Air India (90), reflecting the improving standards of Indian aviation.

A significant benchmark for the industry since their inception in 1999, the awards are based on the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey, ensuring they remain independent and impartial.

For the eighth time in the 25-year history of the awards, Qatar Airways was named the World's Best Airline. Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said, "This is a remarkable achievement for Qatar Airways to win the World’s Best Airline title for 2024, the eighth time they have triumphed."

Qatar Airways CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, shared his pride, stating, "This is a proud Qatar Airways moment and it is my honour to share this award with my hardworking colleagues. This award is testimony to our relentless dedication to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to more wins in the future."

The airline also won accolades for the World's Best Business Class, the World's Best Business Class Lounge, and the Best Airline in the Middle East.

Singapore Airlines, last year's winner, was a close second, and Emirates took third place. UK-based Skytrax noted that the votes were the closest run since the awards began, requiring a recount. The rest of the top 10 included ANA All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, Air France, and Swiss International Air Lines.

The awards highlighted regional winners as well.

At an enviable 16th place in the list, Vistara was recognised as the Best Airline in India/South Asia. It also won the Best Airline Staff Service award for the region.

Ethiopian Airlines was named Africa's best for the sixth consecutive year, while Turkish Airlines was declared Europe’s best. Fiji Airways took the title for Best Airline in Australia/Pacific, and Delta Air Lines was named the Best Airline in North America.

AirAsia continued its dominance in the low-cost category, being crowned the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the fourteenth consecutive year. In the long-haul, low-cost category, Singapore’s Scoot emerged victorious.

The survey, conducted from September 2023 to May 2024, involved over 21 million customers from 100 countries, evaluating more than 350 airlines.