Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022: Qatar-Singapore duopoly continues to dominate as Gulf brand takes top prize

Qatar Airways has been crowned Airline of the Year by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax, in a ceremony that saw the airline rack up an impressive nine major awards.

The airline, which serves as the flag carrier for the Gulf state of Qatar, has long been lauded as one of the most luxurious on the market due to the quality of its amenities, catering, punctuality and comfort.

At its annual award ceremony, colloquially known as the Oscars of the aviation industry, Skytrax handed the Qatari brand the top prize for a record seventh time, having previously named it the world’s best airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021. The awards were not held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Second place in the main category went to Singapore Airlines, itself a winner of the top prize in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2018. Currently the two leading titans of the industry, neither Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have fallen below third place since 2009, with both taking home a remarkable nine awards at this week's ceremony — three clear of their nearest competitors.

Meanwhile, after finishing in third place in each of the previous four editions of the awards, Japanese brand All Nippon Airways (ANA) slipped to fourth place, allowing UAE-owned Emirates Airlines to take bronze.

Here is a list of the big winners from this week's ceremony:

Qatar Airways

Awards won: 9

The World's Best Airline
World's Best Business Class
Best Business Class Airline seat
Best Business Class Lounge Dining
Best Airline in the Middle East
Best Cabin Crew in the Middle East
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in the Middle East
Best Business Class Lounge in the Middle East
Best Business Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East

There's no question that Qatar Airways will go home the happiest following the ceremony having gone from strength to strength this year. The airline racked up a remarkable nine awards in notably prestigious fields after also dominated last year's ceremony, and will be pleased to have beaten their Singaporean counteraprts to the top prize.

Qatar Airways' success at the ceremony also comes just one month after its hub airport, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, picked up the award for Best Airport in the World for the second year running at Skytrax's 2022 World Airport Awards in August.

Singapore Airlines

Awards won: 9

World's Best Cabin Staff
World's Best First Class
Best Airline in Asia
Best First Class Airline seat
Best First Class Catering
Best Business Class in Asia
Best Business Class Lounge in Asia
Best Premium Economy Class in Asia
Best Economy Class in Asia

Fellow heavyweight Singapore Airlines only secured second place in the overall Best Airline category, but took the top prize in a large number of other fields.

The airline took home wins in categories including World’s Best Cabin Crew, World’s Best First Class, the Best Airline in Asia and the World’s Best First Class Seat, and continues to be the only brand that looks capable of challenging Qatar Airways to the World's Best Airline crown.

Hainan Airlines

Awards won: 6

Best Airline Staff Service in China
Best Airline Cabin Crew in China
Best Business Class in China
Best Business Class Lounge in China
Best Economy Class in China
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in China

Hainan Airlines was the night's surprise package, picking up six gongs, though these were all region-specific. Founded in 1989, the brand mainly operates seven bases across China, and has extensive network of destinations across China, connecting Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

Delta Airlines

Awards won: 6

Best Airline in North America
Best Airline Staff Service in North America
Best Cabin Crew in the USA
Best Business Class in North America
Best Premium Economy Class in North America
Best Economy Class in North America

Despite only landing 24th place in the World's Best Airline category, Delta had an excellent night, racking up wins in six categories – as many as Hainan Airlines and only beaten by Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Notably, the airline picked up multiple awards for its business and premium economy offerings.