Canadian airlines were once again flying high as this year’s prestigious World Airlines Awards, conducted by Skytrax. Dubbed “Oscars of the aviation industry,” the awards saw five Canadian carriers rank in the top 100 worldwide, as well as taking home hardware – including top spots – in several other categories.
Announced at a gala ceremony at the Paris Air Show on June 17, the top award – World’s Best Airline – went to Qatar Airways for the second year in a row and for the 10th time overall in the 26-year history of the awards. Air Canada was the top Canadian carrier at No. 19, notably moving up 10 spots in the rankings from 2024.
Also among the Canadian quintet of top finishers were Porter Airlines at 44 (up from 57 last year), Transat at 60 (dropping one spot from 2024), WestJet 75 (down from 57) and Air Canada Rouge at 94 (moving into the top 100 from 105 last year).
Over 80 awards were presented, encompassing a number of related categories, including airlines, lounges, family-friendly, improved, seats, entertainment and more. Rankings are based on customer satisfaction surveys of 22 million global travellers.
Air Canada
Among these categories, Air Canada notably took top prize as Best Airline in North America. Additionally, the company was rated:
- Most Family Friendly Airline in North America
- Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in North America
- Best Business Class Onboard Catering in North America
- Best Cabin Crew in North America
- Best Cabin Crew in Canada
- Best Business Class Lounge in North America (YYZ)
- Best Business Class Airline Lounge Catering (YYZ)
- Best Low-Cost Airline in Canada (Rouge)
Air Transat
Meanwhile, Air Transat was named the World’s Best Leisure Airline for the seventh time, and for the third consecutive year, as well as Best Leisure Airline in North America.
The World’s Best Leisure Airline Award is based on passenger satisfaction with the quality of products and services offered by leisure airlines, including both onboard and at the airports. Air Transat has previously won this award in 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024, and was recognized as North America’s Best Leisure Airline in 2022.
Porter Airlines
Porter was voted Best Regional Airline in North America and third globally.
Other Canadian rankings (excluding above)
- North America Best Airline By Region – Porter (3), Air Transat (7), WestJet (9)
- World’s Best Regional Airlines – WestJet (13)
- World’s Best Inflight Entertainment – Air Canada (18)
- World’s Best Leisure Airline – Sunwing (4)
- World’s Best Premium Economy – Air Canada (13)
- World’s Most Family-Friendly Airline – Air Canada (5)
And the world’s 20 best airlines for 2025
(*Based on 325 airlines)
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Korean Air
- Air France
- Japan Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Swiss Int’l Air Lines
- EVA Air
- British Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Virgin Atlantic
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- STARLUX Airlines
- Air Canada
- Iberia
About the awards
The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. All costs of the Survey and Awards event are paid by Skytrax, and airlines do not pay any entry or registration fee.
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