July 12, 2019 
20 Comments 
Singapore Airlines enjoyed a short stint as the world’s best airline but has lost the crown to consistent winner Qatar Airways.
The prestigious 2019 Skytrax Awards – known as the Oscars of the aviation world – also saw Qatar walk away with World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East.
It’s the fifth time Qatar has won the best airline award, after losing the top spot in 2018 to Singapore.
Singapore Airlines dropped to second place, with Japanese airline ANA All Nippon Airways receiving the bronze medal.
Now in its 19th year, the Skytrax ratings are based on the world’s largest passenger satisfaction survey of passengers from over 100 countries voting on 300 airlines from around the globe. Voting took place from September 2018 to May 2019.
Qantas made a return trip to the top 10 list for the first time in three years, rising from 11th spot in 2018 and 15th in 2017.
Virgin Australia dropped seven places coming in at 25th spot.
Australia’s most respected travel business, according to the Reputation Institute’s Australian Corporate Reputation Index, Air New Zealand, came in at 16th. Jetstar came in at 53rd overall, dropping from 46th position in 2018, but picked up third in the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines and sixth in the World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines for 2019.
The Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific award went to Fiji Airways.
The World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2019
1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Emirates
6. EVA Air
7. Hainan Airlines
8. Qantas Airways
9. Lufthansa
10. Thai Airways
Have you flown with any of the top 10 airlines listed here? How was your experience?
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Ben Hocking
Will Brodie
Liv Gardiner
Abi Jackson
Jon Glass
YourLifeChoices Writers
Where is Royal Brunei? I have flown with most of those airlines, but in the last few years have used Royal Brunei. Can’t fault them, good service, nice new planes. And most important they kill the others for price. The only downside, (which doesn’t bother me) is they do not have or serve alcohol on their flights.
They are starting flights from Brisbane shortly after an absence of 8 years. Initially 4 times a week and then hopefully every day later on. The booze on the plane does not bother me either but at the hotel I would have liked a shot or 2. Darussalam is not my favorite stop over. Prefer Singapore.
You have got to be kidding….Royal Brunei are below par. I have done 8 long haul trips to the UK in the past 9 years and they are by far the worst.
As someone who can only afford to fly cattle class, Qatar Airways have consistently offered the lowest fares, including free seat selection, when I have travelled to Europe on two occasions, and I have no complaints. Singapore Airlines have always had an excellent reputation but unfortunately are more expensive. Similarly Emirates also have a good reputation but are more expensive than Qatar. I would never book Qantas again after my last experience with them on a flight to Bangkok. I think they are popular with people who travel business class with their jobs so that they can accumulate frequent flyer points. I have subsequently flown to Bangkok with Thai Airways – no complaints there and I would happily fly with them again.
Miranda, you are spot on with Qantas. Overpriced and overated. My son inlaw is a flight engineer with Qantas, and some of the stories he has told me are scarey. Would never ever fly with them.
Agree with your comment. Living near Gold Coast Airport like to fly Scoot to Singapore, staying overnight at Airport Hotel, no immigration, and then straight on to Zurich (where my family live) with either Singapore or Swiss Airlines. They code share on A380 jumbos.
Have flown with a few of those airlines including Royal Brunei who I found very good & helpful when need during a medical issue with then partner.
More recently have flown with Thai air & again found them very good & reasonably priced with mostly no stopovers to my destinations. Air of smiles from the land of smiles.
Qantas I haven’t flown with for a long time as they are overrated, overpriced & to many stopovers, some up to 20+ hours.
Cannot understand how QANTAS is considered in the top ten!! We were loyal QANTAS travellers for over thirty years but resent crew looking down their noses at us even when business class travellers. At least Singapore Airlines and EVA are not judgemental. Learn to respect people!
I was a loyal customer of Qantas but witnessed over the years the decline in their in flight service and switched to Singapore Airlines which has exceptional in flight service. My daughter recently returned from Europe on Qatar Airways and could not fault the service.
Richard
I had always believed Singapore Airlines to be the best, but after a trip to Vietnam a couple of years ago, I no longer think so. Food was ho-hum, (they had prior notice that I was vegan), the bathrooms were dirty, seats worn and dirty, and it seemed to be a major undertaking to provide drinking water. The small airlines in Vietnam and Cambodia were much better. Sad really.
Stopped flying with QANTAS years ago. The cabin staff always gave the impression that providing an extra level of service was servile and offensive to their dignity. Egalitarianism is a commendable belief, but it should not result in a haughty contempt for those flying cattle class.
Does nobody like Qant-arse. HAHA
Which airline was best for us ordinary mortals who fly cattle class?
I flew Etihad to Birmingham 2 years ago, also but after Abu Dhabi were KLM and provided a wheelchair too. They really looked after me. Cattle class flight but 21st class service.
Which airline was best for us ordinary mortals who fly cattle class?