For a carrier of around 20 aircraft, it would be fair to say Fiji Airways punches well above its weight in the popularity stakes.
At last year’s World Airline Awards, the carrier climbed from 36th place in 2022 to finish among the world’s top 15 airlines overall. This year, it’s gone literally one better, placing 14th in the blue ribbon World’s Top Airline category at the awards colloquially dubbed the Airline Oscars (but more accurately called the Passenger’s Choice Awards by awards organiser Skytrax). Last year, was no Fijian fluke then.
By finishing among the top carriers, as voted for in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey, Fiji Airways placed above aviation giants like Etihad, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and a slew of other big names, including of course, Qantas, which continued its drop in the rankings, falling from 17th position in the category in 2023 to 24th spot. In 2022, it placed fifth.
Not only was Fiji Airways named Best Airline in Australia/Pacific, but it also picked up the awards for Best Economy Class in Australia/Pacific, Best Cabin Crew in Australia/Pacific, Best Airline Staff in Australia/Pacific (its fourth consecutive win in this category) and Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Australia and Pacific. Clearly, Tourism Fiji’s tagline of ‘Where happiness comes naturally” is working in the skies too – among Fiji Airways crew and its passengers. The national carrier’s service is not lost on its boss either.
“Being named the Best Airline in Australia and the Pacific for a second consecutive year is a testament to our team’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service,” Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director Andre Viljoen said after receiving the awards.
“Our common purpose is that we fly for Fiji, so we’re committed to bringing our famous Fijian spirit and care to everything we do. From booking a ticket, to stepping onboard, passengers are immersed in a genuine warmth and hospitality that only our team can provide.
“Over the past year we have invested significantly in our people, our fleet and our in-flight experience.
“We’ve expanded into new markets and most recently became the 15th member of the oneworld award winning global alliance.
“As a result, we’re now able to bring our Fijian spirit and care to more and more passengers around the world.”
At the World Airline Awards gala in London on Monday night, Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted congratulated Fiji Airways, a carrier whose reputation continues has skyrocketed.
“We congratulate both Fiji Airways management and staff on these great achievements, who can be very proud of their performance against some larger competitors.”
Fiji Airways recently teased the prospect of flying to two new ports on Australia’s east coast. Read more about that here.
Qantas awarded
Despite falling in the World’s Top Airline category, Qantas still picked up a swag of awards including Best Business Class in Australia/Pacific, Best Premium Economy Class in Australia/Pacific, Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in Australia and Pacific and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Australia and Pacific.
Qantas subsidiary Jetstar also won Best Low-Cost Airline in Australia/Pacific, although with Tiger Airways long gone and Bonza virtually gone, competition in this category is scant. The LCC finished in 75th place (down from 69th in 2023) in the overall category.
Elsewhere, Rex Airlines picked up the gong for Best Regional Airline in Australia/Pacific, also scraping into the top 50 carriers in the World’s Top Airline category, which is no small feat for an operation its size.
Meanwhile, Virgin Australia has been overlooked at the awards, not picking up a single prize and finishing in 54th position in the overall category, down eight places from the year before.
And the WORLD’s top airlines are…
There were some familiar faces at the summit of the World’s Top Airline category, with Qatar Airways this year taking home the crown of world’s best (or at least most popular) airline, moving up from its runner-up position in 2023.
Last year’s winner, Singapore Airlines, placed second this time around, ahead of Emirates, ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Cathay Pacific.
The top 20 airlines:
- 1- Qatar Airways
- 2- Singapore Airlines
- 3- Emirates
- 4- ANA All Nippon Airways
- 5- Cathay Pacific Airways
- 6- Japan Airlines
- 7- Turkish Airlines
- 8- EVA Air
- 9- Air France
- 10- Swiss International Air Lines
- 11- Korean Air
- 12- Hainan Airlines
- 13- British Airways
- 14- Fiji Airways
- 15- Iberia
- 16- Vistara
- 17- Virgin Atlantic
- 18- Lufthansa
- 19- Etihad Airways
- 20- Saudi Arabian Airlines
Doha-based Qatar Airways also picked up a host of other awards including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat and World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, along with several regional awards like Best Economy Class in the Middle East and Best Cabin Crew in the Middle East.
After receiving the awards, Qatar Airways Group CEO Mohammed Al-Meer said, “This is a proud Qatar Airways moment and it is my honour to share this award with my hardworking colleagues”.
“This award is testimony to our relentless dedication to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to more wins in the future.”
