An event often referred to as the Oscars of the airline industry, with passengers worldwide completing satisfaction surveys to determine the winners, the 2022 World Airline Awards recognized Qatar Airways as the Airline of the Year, pushing Singapore Airlines to the second spot. The Gulf airline achieved this top accolade for the seventh time. 

Emirates was placed third out of more than 350 airlines included in the survey results, and Etihad Airways was ranked 12th.

The 2022 World Airline Awards event resumed regular operations after two years of virtual award ceremonies, with airlines from all over the world attending the program, hosted at the Langham Hotel in London.

“To be named as the world’s best airline was always a goal when Qatar Airways was created, but to win it for the seventh time and pick up three additional awards is a testament to all the hard work of our incredible employees,” said Akbar Al Baker, group chief executive at Qatar Airways.

The world’s Top 20 airlines in 2022 list also included Turkish Airlines, according to the airline ranking company and event organizer, Skytrax. 

“Qatar Airways was the largest airline to have flown consistently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with their network never falling below 30 destinations, and that determination has been well recognized by customers with this award as Airline of the Year 2022. For Qatar Airways to achieve this top accolade for the seventh time is both a unique and remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them on this success,” said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax.

Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways were the two biggest winners at the awards ceremony, each taking home nine prizes. Turkish Airlines won four accolades, including the honor of the fiercely contested Best Airline in Europe.