The aviation world is a giant that brings together hundreds of powerful airlines that compete to become some of the most important airlines in the world in a sector that does not stop growing. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the number of passengers will be close to doubling today’s values within the next 20 years, reaching up to 7.8 billion travelers.
In the ‘fight’ to attract the greatest number of passengers that travel worldwide (a competition for the best services, destinations, and schedules), some airlines stand out more than others, turning into some of the greatest internationally. This is shown, for example, in the World Airlines Awards, known as the ‘Oscars’ of aviation, they award said airlines the recognition for being some of the best on an international level. The awarded airlines are determined by travelers worldwide and the event is organized by Skytrax.
In the 2019 global ranking by Skytrax, the airlines that occupied the top 10 spots were the following. If you want to become a commercial airline pilot, take notes!
2019 Skytrax Top 10 Airlines:
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Qatar Airways
This is one of the biggest airlines and the flag carrier for the State of Qatar, not to mention this being the only airline to have earned the award five times. For the third consecutive year, Qatar Airways was also named the best airline in the Middle East, and, if all of this was not enough, as of 2019 it had been awarded with the “Best Business Class in the World” award. Qatar Airways is a relatively new airline, which, in slightly more than 20 years has gone from a short-haul regional airline to an international giant, covering more than 160 destinations worldwide. Their routes extend from the Middle East out to Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and North and South America.
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Singapore Airlines
At Singapore Airlines they operate one of the most modern fleets with the least fuel consumption worldwide, the airline takes pride in the service they offer, claiming that whoever jumps onboard will be delighted with their warm and impeccable service. Their most international icon is known as the “Singapore Girl,” whose image represents the high standards of attention and service that the airline has to offer. Singapore Airlines offers destinations throughout the five continents as well.
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ANA All Nippon Airways
Although not the national carrier, this is the largest Japanese airline. ANA was founded in 1952 and currently flies to 80 international destinations as well as 100 domestic routes. Its fidelity program, ANA Mileage Club, is comprised of more than 29 million members. Within the airline’s fleet is the Boeing 787, of which ANA was the first customer.
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Cathay Pacific Airways
A well-known airline that must undoubtedly be included in this airline ranking. Cathay Pacific is based in Hong Kong and offers regular service for passengers and freight to nearly 200 destinations throughout Asia, North America, Australia, Europe, and Africa with their fleet of more than 140 widebody aircraft. The airline founded the global OneWorld alliance of which airlines like Qatar Airways are also members of. Cathay Pacific Airways has been recognized as one of the world’s most important airlines on numerous occasions.
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Emirates
Emirates connects the world through their base in Dubai, UAE. The airline, one of the greatest in the world, and founded in 1985, operates a fleet of over 260 widebody aircraft to about 160 destinations worldwide. Amongst its peculiarities is the fact that Emirates has some of the most culturally diverse crews in the world, with workers from over 170 nationalities.
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EVA Air
This airline was founded in 1989 and offers various services across a global network that joins Asia, especially continental China, with Europe, North America, and Oceania; in total, more than 60 important destinations for business and tourism. EVA operates from its main hub, Taoyuan international airport, Taiwan.
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Hainan Airlines
The Haikou-based airline, in the Hainan Province, is the largest private airline and the fourth biggest in terms of its fleet in the country of China. Hainan Airlines was founded in 1993 and by 2018 the airline and its subsidiaries operated more than 400 aircraft at 24 bases. Hainan’s network covers the whole of China, numerous destinations in Asia, and reaches Europe, North America, and the South Pacific.
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Qantas Airways
Australia’s flag carrier was also one of the founding members of the OneWorld alliance. Being one of the oldest in the globe, Qantas was founded back in 1920 in a rural area of Queensland and is currently the largest national and international airline in Australia.
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Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the biggest airline in Germany and one of the five funding members of Star Alliance, the historic alliance founded in 1997. Their main operating hub is Frankfurt airport, although they also have a base in Munich.
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Thai Airways
This is the national airline of Thailand. Thai Airways was founded in 1988 and, including its subsidiaries, flies to about 90 destinations in 40 countries worldwide. Their fleet surpasses 90 aircraft, and their slogan “Smooth as Silk” is the most representing characteristic of their services. Despite being one of the world’s greatest, Thai Airways suffered economic losses that led the company to a great financial crisis, which they are trying to overcome.
