Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has once again earned a string of accolades in the annual Skytrax awards, in which the airline’s ranking has risen to sixth Best In The World.
The Doha-based carrier, which last year was ranked 8th saw its improved ratings while also walking off with the Best Airline In The Middle East award.
For the fourth year running Qatar Airways’ cabin crew have been voted Best In The Middle East, with their worldwide ranking up sharply from fifth to second in this year’s accolades, as recognised by the independent aviation industry monitoring agency.
Already ranked by Skytrax as a Five Star carrier, Qatar Airways was also recognised by the same organisation earlier this year with an Inflight Service Consistency Award.
Qatar Airways has held onto the coveted Five Star award for excellence, service and high standards, being the only Middle East carrier and one of the four airlines in the world – to earn such an illustrious accolade.
Based largely on the quality of service standards, the Skytrax awards recognise different levels of an airline’s operation, based on passenger feedback.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker described the latest accolades as a tribute to all the employees of the company.
Beaming with delight, he said: “ Yet again, Qatar Airways has excelled in delivering the highest levels of service and maintaining the high standards that we are recognised for around the world.
“Our global ratings are rising year on year and we are well on target to reach our ultimate goal of becoming the best airline in the world. To be recognised as the Best Airline in the Middle East is a great achievement, but to win the vote for Best Cabin Crew in the region for the fourth year running and see our global ranking rise from fifth last year to second, is news that all airlines would aspire towards.”
Added Al Baker: “All credit goes to our staff around the world for their dedication in helping make Qatar Airways what it is today. Just a few years ago we were a small regional player. Now we have grown into a truly international airline thanks to the support of our passengers.”
News of the latest awards follows Qatar Airways recently being named Airline of the Year in Dubai at the annual Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel awards.
Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of 47 all-Airbus aircraft to 70 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and Far East. The airline, which is based in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, plans to more than double its fleet size to 110 aircraft by 2015, making it one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.
About Skytrax:
The Skytrax survey is a global barometer of passenger opinions about airlines around the world. Conducted over an 11-month period between June 2005 to May 2006, more than 14 million passengers took part in the annual survey. Respondents completed their answers through a number of methods, including an online customer survey and telephone interviews.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is proud to be Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways has been awarded World’s Best Airline, World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways sponsors world-leading sports teams including FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally