Singapore Airlines has been named the World’s Best Airline at the 2023 World Airline Awards, marking the fifth time the airline has earned the Airline of the Year title in the 23-year history of the awards.
The announcement was made during a grand ceremony at the Air and Space Museum at the Paris Air Show. The event saw more than 350 guests, including numerous airline CEOs, Presidents, and Senior Management, from airlines around the world. As is tradition, many uniformed airline cabin crew members were present, showcasing their respective corporate brands.
Often dubbed ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry,’ the World Airline Awards began in 1999 and are known for their independence and impartiality. All costs related to customer surveys and the awards event are covered by the organizers, Skytrax.
Mr. Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, accepted the World’s Best Airline award on June 20th, 2023, in Paris. He expressed gratitude toward the staff and customers, highlighting the hard work and sacrifices made by the team, which enabled the airline to recover and emerge stronger from the pandemic. Mr. Goh emphasized the airline’s commitment to innovation and maintaining top-notch services to ensure a world-class travel experience for their customers.
Qatar Airways, a seven-time winner of the prestigious Airline of the Year award, ranked second for 2023. ANA All Nippon Airways was third, followed by Emirates in fourth place and Japan Airlines in fifth, among more than 325 airlines evaluated.
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax praised Singapore Airlines for their exceptional performance across various categories, including being recognized for having the World’s Best First Class cabin. He congratulated Singapore Airlines, noting that the achievement should be a source of pride for its management and staff.
Other major winners at the awards included Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines, which had strong performances in North America, winning six awards. Turkish Airlines dominated Europe, securing four awards including Best Airline in Europe.
Qatar Airways also led in business class categories, winning World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat, World’s Best Business Class Lounge, World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, and Best Airline in the Middle East.
Singapore Airlines excelled in First Class travel, winning World’s Best First Class, World’s Best First Class Seat, and World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities, and was named Best Airline in Asia.
ANA All Nippon Airways, apart from claiming third place globally, won awards for World’s Best Airport Services and World’s Cleanest Airline.
Kuwait Airways was named the World’s Most Improved Airline for 2023, followed by StarLux and PLAY. This award tracks an airline’s quality improvement across various categories.
AirAsia continued its dominance as the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, a title it has held since 2010. Scoot won the award for World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline, and Volotea was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe.
A new accolade introduced in 2023 for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline went to Air Canada. This award considers family seating policies, dedicated family check-in, priority boarding, children’s amenities, and overall service quality for families.
Garuda Indonesia was once again recognized for having the World’s Best Cabin Staff, an honor it has now received six times.
Plaza Premium continued to shine, winning the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge operator. Its lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport was ranked No. 1 in 2023, with two other lounges making the Top 10 list.
Cathay Pacific achieved a milestone by being awarded the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment for the first time.
EVA Air clinched the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class and Best Premium Economy Class Catering.
Japan Airlines topped the ranking for Economy Class, winning both World’s Best Economy Class and World’s Best Economy Class Seat awards.
Bangkok Airways was named the World’s Best Regional Airline, a title it consistently retains. Rex Airlines emerged as the Best Regional Airline in Australia/Pacific, while Fiji Airways secured Best Airline in Australia/Pacific and Best Airline Staff Service in the region.
In India/South Asia, Vistara was again recognized as the Best Airline in the region and Best Airline Staff Service. IndiGo retained its position as the Best Low-Cost Airline in India/South Asia.
Delta Air Lines dominated North America, winning Best Airline in North America and Best Airline Staff Service. Sun Country Airlines was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America for the first time, and Alaska Airlines took the award for Best Regional Airline in North America. Air Transat was recognized as the World’s Best Leisure Airline for the fourth time.
FlyArystan, a relative newcomer from Kazakhstan, won as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia/CIS. Ethiopian Airlines was named the Best Airline in Africa for the sixth time.
In China, Hainan Airlines was named the Best Airline in China for the 12th time and also took home the Best Airline Staff in China award.
The World Airline Awards include various categories such as Best by Cabin, Best Seats by Cabin, Best Lounges, and Best Onboard Catering by Cabin, recognizing global excellence in the airline industry.