The annual Skytrax World Airline Awards are out for 2021 and in this country all eyes are on the performance of the country’s carriers, led by Air Transat, which scored top marks as the world’s top leisure airline, according to the noted industry customer satisfaction poll
British-based Skytrax has been producing its list (it recently released its top world airport awards as well) since 1999 based on passenger voting and has come to be called by some “the Oscars of the aviation industry.”
The year, more than 13.4 million entries were received from customers representing 100 nationalities globally.
The organization qualified its results this year, however, by stating, “Most of 2020 and 2021 has been a catastrophic period for the world airline industry, as passenger demand plummeted and countries across the world were affected by lockdowns and severe travel restrictions. The Skytrax customer survey operated for 23 months (September 2019 to July 2021), with the 2021 Awards representing a mix of more normal travel times combined with some travel during the global pandemic.”
The envelope please:
With 350 global airlines represented, the overall World Airline of the Year award went to Qatar Airways, followed by Singapore Airlines and ANA All Nippon Airways, followed by Emirates, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, EVA Air, Qantas Airways, Hainan Airlines, and Air France.
Qatar Airways also received the awards for the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Seat and the Best Airline in the Middle East, while No. 2 overall Singapore Airlines, won the top accolade for the World’s Best Cabin Crew, and received awards for the World’s Best First Class, the Best Airline in Asia and the World’s Best First-Class Seat.
Saudi Arabian Airlines won the 2021 award as the World’s Most Improved Airline, ahead of Rwandair in 2nd place and JetSmart in 3rd position.
Canadian results
Air Transat was voted World’s Best Leisure Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the fourth time. Sunwing placed ninth in this category.
Transat president and CEO Annick Guérard said, “Receiving this award once more is particularly significant this year, as the travel industry is just beginning to pick up under completely new circumstances. Knowing that the Air Transat experience still holds a place in the hearts of travellers fills me with pride and ambition for the future.”
Other Canadian results include:
Air Canada –
World Top Airline – 33 (2019 – 29)
World Best Premium Economy – 12
Best Airline North America – 3
Best Airline Staff in North America
Best Business Class Lounge in North America
Best Airline Staff in Canada
COVID-19 Airline Excellence Award
WestJet
World Top Airline – 53 (2019 – 55)
Best Airline North America – 5
Best Airline Staff in North America – 4
Air Transat
World Top Airline – 59 (2019 – 60)
World Best Leisure Airline
Best Airline North America – 6
Best Airline Staff in North America – 8
Air Canada rouge –
World Top Airline – 83 (2019 – 91)
World’s Best Long Haul Low Cost – 3
Best Low-Cost Airline in Canada
* (Except for World Airline, all other categories count up to top 20)