Each year, the airline industry the world over anxiously awaits news on whether they have cracked the nod to win a Skytrax Award. This year, Mango Airlines is celebrating after being selected as Africa’s most affordable airline. Nic Vlok, Acting CEO of Mango Airlines said they are thrilled with the achievement, and attributed the success to continued hard work and dedication on delivering excellent customer service.

Other African airlines that scooped top awards include South African Airways (SAA) for ‘Best Airline Staff Service – by Global Region’, Royal Air Maroc for ‘Best Regional Airlines – Africa’, and Ethiopian Airlines for ‘Best Airline – Africa’.

Singapore Airlines claimed top prize, as well as awards for ‘Best First Class’, ‘Best Airline in Asia’ and ‘Best First Class Seat’.

Previously, Qatar Airlines claimed top honours in 2017, 2015, 2012 and 2011.

The rest of the top 10 list consisted of respected airlines from Asia and the Middle East.

Third place was awarded to ANA All Nippon Airways. Fourth place was awarded to Emirates, 5th place to EVA Air of Taiwan, and 6th place to Cathay Pacific.

Lufthansa earned the number seven spot, and is the only European airline to crack the top 10. China’s Hainan Airlines earned the 8th spot, while Guard Airlines of Indonesia and Thai Airways claimed the 9th and 10th spots respectively.

Although no airlines from the United States were featured, Air Canada was voted ‘Best Airline’ for North America. WestJet, another Canadian carrier, was voted as the region’s best low-cost flier.

Air France was awarded as the airline with the ‘Best First Class Onboard Catering’, ‘Best First Class Comfort Amenities’ and ‘Best First Class Lounge Dining’.

 

The top 10 world’s best airlines for 2018

1. Singapore Airlines

2. Qatar Airways

3. ANA All Nippon Airways

4. Emirates

5. EVA Air

6. Cathay Pacific

7. Lufthansa

8. Hainan Airlines

9. Garuda Indonesia

10. Thai Airways

 

Best airlines by global region

Northern Europe – Finnair

Western Europe – Lufthansa

Eastern Europe – Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Africa – Ethiopian Airlines

Australia / Pacific – Qantas Airlines

Central Asia / India – Air Astana

China – Hainan Airlines

Central America / Caribbean – Copa Airlines

South America – Avianca

North America – Air Canada

Asia – Singapore Airlines

Middle East – Qatar Airways

Europe – Lufthansa

 

Best low-cost airlines

Africa – Mango

Australia & Pacific – Jetstar Airways

Asia – AirAsia

Central Asia / India – Indigo

China – West Air

South America – Sky Airline

North America – WestJet

Middle East – Flynas

Europe – Norwegian

 

Best airline catering

Economy – Thai Airways

Premium economy – Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Business – Austrian Airlines

First class – Air France

 

Best airline seats

Economy – Japan Airlines

Premium economy – Air New Zealand

Business – Qatar Airways

First class – Singapore Airlines

 

Best regional airlines

Africa – Royal Air Maroc

Asia – Bangkok Airways

South America – Azul Brazilian Airlines

Central Asia / India – Azerbaijan Airlines

Europe – Aegean Airlines

 

Best airline lounges

First class – Qatar Airways

Airline alliance lounge – Star Alliance Los Angeles

Independent airport lounge – Plaza Premium Heathrow Terminal Two

First class lounge dining – Air France

Airline lounge spa facility – Thai Awards

 

Best airlines staff service by global region

Africa – South African Airways

Australia / Pacific – Qantas Airways

Central Asia / India – Vistara

China – Hainan Airlines

Central America / Caribbean – Copa Airlines

South America – Azul Brazilian Airlines

Asia – ANA All Nippon Airways

Middle East – Emirates

Europe – Austrian Airlines

 

Picture: Pixabay

Article written by

Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.