Singapore Airlines is back on top as the world’s finest airline—after nearly a decade.
The airline was awarded “Airline of the Year” at the 2018 Skytrax World Airline awards—sending last year’s winner, Qatar Airways, down to second place. The Asian carrier last won the award in 2008.
Yeoh Phee Teik, Singapore Airlines’ senior vice president of customer experience, joined the senior staff and crew in a colourful ceremony to celebrate the achievement, in London, on Tuesday.
Singapore Airlines also cinched “Best First Class”, “Best Airline in Asia,” and “Best First Class Seat”. These awards are considered the aviation industry's equivalent to the Oscars.
Second-place winner, Qatar Airways, which held the crown in 2017, 2015, 2012, and 2011, won prizes for “Best Business Class”, “Best Airline in the Middle East,” and “Best Business Class Seat”.
The awards of the past seven years have all gone to airlines based in the Arabian Gulf—aside from a win by Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, in 2014.
Asian carriers have been vying with their Middle Eastern counterparts, for dominance of the sector, ever since UK-based aviation industry reviewer, Skytrax began, its awards in 2001; and Singapore Airline’s victory in 2018 marked a resurgence for Asian carriers.
Singapore Airlines is known for setting the standard for premium offerings—with its hotel room-style suites that feature double beds, and consistent bestin-class seating.
The carrier is planning to re-launch of the world's longest flight between Newark, New Jersey and Singapore, in October 2018.
The rest of the top ten list features a number of top-class airlines. All Nippon Airways (ANA) won third place, Emirates, forth, Taiwan's EVA Air, fifth; and Cathay Pacific, sixth.
The only European carrier to make the top 10 was Lufthansa, which placed seventh. The carrier was followed by China's Hainan Airlines, in eighth; Garuda Indonesia, in ninth; and Thai Airways, in 10th.
No prize was awarded a US airline.
The best airline in North America was awarded to Air Canada, and the region's “Best Low-Cost Flier” was WestJet, which is also a Canadian carrier.
Air France won the award for “Best First Class Onboard Catering”, “Best First Class Comfort Amenities,” and “Best First Class Lounge Dining”. The carrierlives up to its nation's reputation for culinary excellence.