Qatar Airways named world’s best airline sixth year in a row

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Despite the major shutdown of many international flights during the past 18 months, Skytrax this morning released its annual list of the world’s best airlines. Qatar Airways was voted number one at the website’s World Airline Awards, a title it has held since 2016 - also scooping the awards for best business class, best business class seat and best Middle Eastern airline. “This award is the result of the incredible work by the Qatar Airways team and I want to thank our valued passengers for their loyalty and appreciation for all we have offered during the most challenging and uncertain times, without compromising on the service and excellence that the airline is renowned for throughout the world,” said Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker. “We never abandoned our loyal customers when they needed us the most, we continued flying to get people home and implemented stringent biosafety measures to provide strong reassurance for travellers, all while continuing to innovate to ensure we remain the airline of choice for millions of passengers across the globe.” “Voted by customers, the focus of our annual survey is for travellers to make their own, personal choices as to which airline they consider to be best, and it is clear that Qatar Airways has maintained its high standards of innovation and service standards, both in more normal times and through the current global pandemic,” said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax.