Airlines based in the Arabian Gulf and Asia definitely have developed better reputations than U.S.-based airlines, according to the 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards presented during Farnborough International Airshow in England.
While Emirates from Dubai, Qatar Airlines and Singapore Airlines took the top three spots in the airline awards voted on by customers from around the world, the top U.S.-based airline, Virgin America, ranked No. 25.
“We are honored to be recognized by the prestigious Skytrax awards,” says Tim Clark, president of Emirates. “Emirates has always put our customers at the heart of what we do, and we work hard to deliver the very best experience possible to our customers at every touchpoint, every day, all around the world. We constantly invest in our product and services, both on the ground and in the air. We listen carefully to our customers, and then relentlessly challenge ourselves to deliver and exceed expectations. The fact that these awards are based on the direct feedback from passengers is gratifying and wonderful recognition for all of the hard work that’s gone into creating the Emirates experience.”
Emirates has won the top prize four times, but showed quite a bit of improvement over 2015 when it was No. 5. The airline also won the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment award.
It was the second-straight year that Virgin America was named the Best Airline in North America. Based in San Francisco, Virgin America also earned Best Low Cost Airline in North America.
“It is an incredible honor to be named the Best Low Cost Airline in North America, and the Best Airline in North America, the latter for the second consecutive year in the prestigious World Airline Awards,” says David Cush, president and CEO. “This distinction is a testament to our approximately 3,000 teammates who are so passionate about their work. Thanks to them, over the past nine years, we’ve been able to revolutionize the industry and create an airline that people actually love flying.”
Delta was the second-best U.S. airline at No. 35. Jet Blue was No. 53, followed by Alaska Airlines at No. 60, Southwest at No. 66 and United at No. 68.
Thai Airways was named World’s Most Improved Airline and its premium spa facility in Bangkok was selected as Best Airline Lounge Spa Facility.
For the fifth time, Air New Zealand earned World’s Best Premium Economy Class, in addition also securing the award for Best Premium Economy Seat.
| 2016 Rating | Airline | 2015 Rating |
| 1 | Emirates | 5 |
| 2 | Qatar Airways | 1 |
| 3 | Singapore Airlines | 2 |
| 4 | Cathay Pacific | 3 |
| 5 | ANAs | 7 |
| 6 | Etihad Airways | 6 |
| 7 | Turkish Airlines | 4 |
| 8 | EVA Air | 9 |
| 9 | Qantas Airways | 10 |
| 10 | Lufthansa | 12 |
| 11 | Garuda Indonesia | 8 |
| 12 | Hainan Airlines | 22 |
| 13 | Thai Airways | 19 |
| 14 | Air France | 15 |
| 15 | Swiss Int’l Air Lines | 14 |
| 16 | Asiana Airlines | 11 |
| 17 | Air New Zealand | 17 |
| 18 | Virgin Australia | 16 |
| 19 | Austrian | 13 |
| 20 | Bangkok Airways | 23 |
| 21 | Japan Airlines | 21 |
| 22 | Dragonair | 18 |
| 23 | AirAsia | 25 |
| 24 | KLM | 28 |
| 25 | Virgin America | 26 |
