The winners of the 2025 World Airline Awards have just been announced, and while there’s been little movement at the very top – Qatar Airways took out the World’s Best Airline award, followed by Singapore Airlines for the second straight year – Australian airlines have made giant strides at the awards, sometimes dubbed the airline Oscars.
The 2025 World Airline Award winners were revealed at a gala ceremony held at the Paris Air Show, where around 500 international guests gathered to celebrate and accept the awards.
Winners of the World Airline Awards, also called the Passenger’s Choice Awards, are decided by a popular global vote by customers.
Most notably, Qantas has leapt from 24th place last year to 14th position in 2025. While this doesn’t hit the heights of 2022, when the flying kangaroo placed an incredible fifth, it’s a remarkable improvement that also reflects recent strong demand and profit for the carrier.
The carrier was also named the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific for the second time.
“To be recognised as the Best Airline Australia & Pacific reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering for our customers and is testament to the exceptional work of our people,” Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson said.
“I want to sincerely thank our incredible team of more than 29,000 people around the world, who bring such passion and pride to the work they do every single day. This award belongs to them.”
Elsewhere, Virgin Australia also continued its rise, moving up from 43rd to 34th in the overall rankings after placing 46th in 2023. Virgin also finished as the world’s second-best regional airline (behind Bangkok Airways).
Meanwhile, Qantas’ subsidiary, Jetstar, dropped from 75th to 88th in the rankings, while Fiji Airways – which placed a commendable 14th and 15th over the past two years – saw a significant fall to 31st position in 2025. Air New Zealand finished in 24th, two spots lower than in 2024.
Among the other big movers were Korean Air in 7th (up from 11th), STARLUX Airlines in 18th (up from 34th) and Air Canada in 19th (up from 29th).
Class of field
Mohammed Al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways, which won the awards’ most prestigious prize – World’s Best Airline – for a ninth time, called the win “far more than an award”.
“It is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline,” he remarked.
“To retain this title in a highly competitive and ever-evolving global industry reflects the relentless efforts across every part of the business, from the frontline to behind the scenes, the passion and commitment of our people continue to set new standards in aviation.
“We are equally proud to have been named the Best Airline in the Middle East, to once again hold the title of the World’s Best Business Class, and to be recognised for offering the Best Business Class Airline Lounge experience globally.”
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, which hosts the annual airline awards, added, “It is a fabulous achievement for Qatar Airways to win the World’s Best Airline title for 2025, the ninth time they have triumphed in the awards’ history”.
“Qatar Airways achieved excellent results across many award categories, with their Business Class winning the World’s Best Business Class, and their Al Mourjan Garden Lounge named the World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge,” he stated.
Leading LCCs
Among low-cost carriers, AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 16th consecutive year in 2025, with Scoot named the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.
“To win the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline Award for 16 years in a row is nothing short of incredible,” AirAsia Co-founder and CEO Tony Fernandes said.
“From flying just 200,000 guests in our first year to aiming to welcome our one billionth guest this year – this journey has been made possible by the unwavering support of our guests, and the tireless dedication of our incredible Allstars.”
Jetstar placed 20th in the global LCC category, while finishing runner-up in the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airlines 2025 category. Eurowings was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe and Allegiant Air the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America.
The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2025
- 1 Qatar Airways
- 2 Singapore Airlines
- 3 Cathay Pacific
- 4 Emirates
- 5 ANA All Nippon Airways
- 6 Turkish Airlines
- 7 Korean Air
- 8 Air France
- 9 Japan Airlines
- 10 Hainan Airlines
- 11 Swiss Int’l Air Lines
- 12 EVA Air
- 13 British Airways
- 14 Qantas Airways
- 15 Lufthansa
- 16 Virgin Atlantic
- 17 Saudi Arabian Airlines
- 18 STARLUX Airlines
- 19 Air Canada
- 20 Iberia
The Best Airlines in Australia/Pacific 2025
- 1 Qantas Airways
- 2 Air New Zealand
- 3 Fiji Airways
- 4 Virgin Australia
- 5 Jetstar Airways
- 6 QantasLink
- 7 Air Tahiti Nui
- 8 Air Tahiti
- 9 Air Niugini
- 10 AirCalin
Awards by airline
Qantas Airways
- Best Airline in Australia / Pacific
- Best Economy Class in Australia/Pacific
- Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Australia & Pacific
- Best Business Class in Australia / Pacific
- Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Australia & Pacific
- Best Cabin Crew in Australia / Pacific
- Cleanest Airline in Australia/Pacific
- Best Premium Economy Class in Australia/Pacific
Virgin Australia
- Best Regional Airline in Australia/Pacific
- Most Family Friendly Airline in Australia & Pacific
- Best Airline Staff in Australia / Pacific
Jetstar Airways
- Best Low-Cost Airline in Australia / Pacific
- Best Low-Cost Airline in Australia
Air New Zealand
- Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in Australia & Pacific
- Best Business Class Lounge in Australia & Pacific (Auckland Airport)
For more on the World Airline Awards, visit www.worldairlineawards.com.
