The annual Skytrax World Airline Awards were announced in June, and with Emirates unable to back up their 2016 top ranking, the 2017 awards bring a new number one airline.

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Leading consumer aviation website Skytrax counted:
• Nearly 20 million eligible survey entries,
• From passengers of 105 different nationalities,
• Covering over 325 airlines,
• Rating them across 41 different key performance indicators,
• Between August 2016 and May 2017;
To decide the very best airlines in the world.
And here they are:

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#10: Garuda Indonesia
The Indonesia flag carrier, named after the holy bird
Garuda, has had a chequered history, including being
banned from European airspace between 2007 and
2009.
However, in 2009 the airline undertook a five-year
modernization plan known as the Quantum Leap,
which overhauled the airline's brand, livery, logo and
uniforms, as well as newer, more modern aircraft and
facilities and a renewed focus on international markets,
which has subsequently seen it consistently rank
amongst the world’s Top 10 airlines.
Garuda was also accredited with having the World’s
Best Cabin Crew in this year’s awards.
Previous Ranking: #11

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#9: Hainan Airlines
Established in 1989 and commencing operations in
1993, Hainan Airlines is the fourth-largest carrier in
China based on fleet size, operating flights on over 500
routes from Hainan Meilan International Airport and
nine other Chinese mainland airports.
Utilising a fleet of around 180 aircraft, Hainan serves
90 cities across 20 countries, and was also judged as
having the Best Airline Staff Service in China and
being the Best Airline in China in the 2017 awards.
Previous Ranking: #12

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#8: Etihad Airways
Etihad is the second largest carrier in the UAE, behind
Emirates, and is based out of Abu Dhabi. It is also the
newest carrier on this list, having only been established
in 2003.
In 2008, only 5 years after commencing operations, it
announced what was the largest aircraft order in
commercial aviation history at the time, placing an
order for up to 205 new aircraft.
Etihad also retained the awards for the overall Best
First Class Airline, the Best First Class Seat and the
Best First Class Catering.
Previous Ranking: #6

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#7: Lufthansa
The largest German airline, Lufthansa operates a fleet
of more than 270 aircraft across more than 200
destinations in over 75 countries around the world.
It was one of the founding members of the Star
Alliance, and is also the owner of LSG Sky Chefs, the
largest airline catering company in the world,
accounting for nearly 1/3rd of all airline meals.
It is also the parent company of Austrian Airlines, Swiss
International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings.
Lufthansa was also judged the Best Airline in Europe,
the Best Airline in Western Europe and having the Best
First Class Airline Lounge Dining.
Previous Ranking: #10

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#6: EVA Air
EVA Air was founded in 1989 as an affiliate of the
Evergreen Group shipping conglomerate and is the
second largest Taiwanese carrier, behind China Airlines.
It flies exclusively on international routes, serving more
than 40 destinations around the world with a fleet of
approximately 70 aircraft.
EVA is one of the safest airlines in the world, with no
hull losses, accidents, or fatalities since its
establishment.
This year EVA also secured the Skytrax award for the
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness and the Best Business
Class Comfort Amenities.
Previous Ranking: #8

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#5: Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong and
operates to over 180 destinations in 44 countries.
In operation for over 70 years, the airline made the
world's first non-stop transpolar flight flying over the
North Pole in July 1998, which was also the maiden
flight to arrive at the then new Hong Kong
International Airport.
A consistent high-achiever, Cathay was the
adjudged the Best Airline in the World in 2003,
2005, 2009 and most recently in 2014.
Previous Ranking: #4

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#4: Emirates
Last year’s winner may have slipped a few places in the
rankings, but they are still considered one of the world's
premier airlines, operating over 3,600 flights per week from
their home in Dubai.
They are now the fourth largest airline in the world in terms of
international passengers and have grown Dubai International
Airport into a global hub that handles more international
passengers than any other airport in the world.
Since November 2016, Emirates only operates two aircraft
variations, the Boeing 777 and the giant Airbus A380, making
them the largest global operator of both aircraft.
As well as winning the award for the Best First Class Comfort
Amenities in 2017, Emirates was confirmed as the airline with
the Best In-Flight Entertainment, an accolade they have now
enjoyed for thirteen consecutive years.Previous Ranking: #1

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#3: ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA is the largest airline in Japan and employs over
20,000 people.
It was the first airline in the world to operate the new
Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with maiden flights
commencing in October 2011.
It is also due to become the only Japanese airline
operating the Airbus A380 when it receives the first of
three aircraft in early 2019, which it intends to fly
exclusively between Tokyo and Honolulu.
ANA won the Skytrax award for the Best Airport
Services for the fifth year in a row, as well as the award
for the Best Airline Service Staff in Asia.Previous Ranking: #5

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#2: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the world's
largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, and is majority-
owned by the Singapore government.
From 2004 until 2014, Singapore Airlines operated the
longest non-stop passenger flight in the world, from
Singapore to Newark, New Jersey, with the outbound leg
covering 16,600kms, and taking nearly 18 hours. From 2008
onwards the aircraft on this route were configured with 100
business-class seats only.
Its branding and marketing efforts have revolved heavily
around flight crew, with the promotion of its female flight
attendants known as Singapore Girls being widely successful.
Singapore Airlines was previously the Skytrax Best Airline in
the World in 2004, 2007 and 2008. In 2017 they received the
additional accolades of having the Best Business Class Airline
Seat, the Best Premium Economy Onboard Catering and
being the Best Airline in Asia.
Previous Ranking: #3

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#1: Qatar Airways
Now operating from its new base at Doha's Hamad
International Airport since 2014, Qatar Airways is the
state-owned flag carrier of Qatar.
The airline continues to expand rapidly, with more
than 200 new aircraft on order for delivery in coming
years.
A perennial high achiever, this is the fourth time in
six years that Qatar has been named the Best
Airline in the World.
In addition to this prestigious award, it also wrapped
up the overall awards for the Best Business Class
Airline, the Best First Class Lounge and the Best
Middle Eastern Airline.
Previous Ranking: #2

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