Singapore Airlines has been named the best airline of the year by the British research company Skytrax. Aeroflot has become the best carrier in Eastern Europe for the sixth time in a row and has risen 7 positions in the global ranking. Siberia (S7 Airlines) retained its place in the top hundred of the world rankings, and also took 16th place (15th place last year) in the world list of regional carriers, reports our own correspondent Travel.ru.
Aeroflot ranks 23rd in the current list (last year it was 30th, in 2016 — 40th, in 2015 — 46th, in 2014 — 51st, in 2013 — 61st, in 2012 — 85th, in 2011 — 63rd). In the pan-European ranking, Aeroflot rose from 9th to 6th place. Siberia (S7 Airlines) retained the place it won last year in the world's top 100 (98th place, a year ago — 95th), from which it had been absent for two years (in 2016 the company ranked 104th, in 2014 — 98th, in 2013 — 94th, in 2012 — 143rd).
Siberia also took third place in the Eastern European carrier rankings, letting Poland's LOT slip into second place. The following places were again taken by Air Serbia and Wizzair (Ural Airlines clung to 10th place). In addition, Siberia dropped from 4th to 5th place in the European regional airline rankings (headed by Aegean Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Air Malta and Air Nostrum).
Aeroflot moved up in the top ten of the global Best Premium Economy Class ranking from 9th to 6th place, as well as in the Best Premium Economy Class Seat nomination from 6th to 4th place, and won the Premium Economy Class Meals nomination (previously 9th place). However, Aeroflot lost its 8th place in the Best Staff in Europe ranking, failing to make it into the top ten (which is led by Austrian, Lufthansa and KLM), but was ranked ninth in the global list of carriers that have made the most progress.
Second place in the overall world ranking went to last year's winner Qatar Airways, with ANA All Nippon Airways and Emirates holding on to third and fourth. The following places in the top ten were taken by EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Hainan Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Thai Airways. The second ten of the ranking were: Qantas, SWISS, JAL, China Southern, Etihad Airways, Austrian, Air New Zealand, Turkish Airlines, KLM and Hong Kong Airlines.
The last two carriers, along with China Southern, are newcomers to the top twenty. Virgin Australia, Air France, and Asiana Airlines have left. The third ten includes Bangkok Airways, Virgin Australia, Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines, Air France, Dragonair (Cathay Dragon), Finnair, budget AirAsia, Virgin Atlantic, and Air Canada.
In addition to China Southern (up 9 positions for the second year in a row) and Aeroflot, Qantas (up 9 positions to 11th place), British Airways (up 9 positions to 31st place), and Philippine Airlines (up 18 positions to 49th place) have made significant progress in the current ranking.
The winners in individual categories were: Flight Attendant – Garuda Indonesia, In-Flight Entertainment – Emirates (Aeroflot – 18th place), First Class – Singapore Airlines, Business Class – Qatar Airways, Premium Economy – Air New Zealand, Economy – Thai Airways, Airport Service – EVA Air, First Class Meals – Air France, Business Class Meals – Austrian Airlines, Premium Economy Meals – Singapore Airlines, Economy Meals – Thai Airways, First Class Seat – Singapore Airlines, Business Class Seat – Qatar Airways, Premium Economy Seat – Air New Zealand, Economy Seat – JAL, First Class Airport Lounge – Qatar Airways (In-Cabin Meals and Amenity Kit – Air France), Business Class Airport Lounge – Turkish Airlines (In-Cabin Meals – Turkish Airlines, Amenity Kit – Hainan Airlines), Cabin Cleanliness – ANA, Transatlantic Airlines – Lufthansa, Transpacific Airlines – EVA Air, global alliance - Star Alliance (second place - oneworld, last third - SkyTeam).
The best airlines in individual regions were: Europe and Western Europe - Lufthansa, Southern Europe - Turkish Airlines, Northern Europe - Finnair, Asia - Singapore Airlines (India and Central Asia - Air Astana, China - Hainan Airlines), Australia and Oceania - Qantas, Africa - Ethiopian Airlines, Middle East - Qatar Airways, North America - Air Canada, Central America - Copa Airlines, South America - Avianca.
AirAsia was once again named the best low-cost airline, with Norwegian and easyJet also taking the top spots. The top ten also included Jetstar Airways, AirAsia X, WestJet, IndiGo, Southwest, Eurowings and Scoot. The following airlines took the prizes in individual regions: Europe – Norwegian (the next places were easyJet, Eurowings, Ryanair, Jet2, Vueling, WOW Air, airBaltic, Wizzair and Pobeda. The defunct Niki and Monarch Airlines left the top ten), Asia – AirAsia, India and Central Asia – IndiGo, Africa – Mango, Australia and Oceania – JetStar, North America – WestJet, South America – Sky Airline, and the Middle East – flynas. The title of best long-haul low-cost carrier was once again awarded to Norwegian. The best charter or resort airline was recognized as the Canadian Air Transat. Among regional airlines, Bangkok Airways was once again named the best. The ranking was prepared over 10 months by surveying about 20 million passengers from more than 100 countries.
Source: travel.ru
