Dubai: The ten best airlines in the world for 2018 have been named and at least two carriers from the Middle East made the cut.
Taking the crown this year as the favourite brand among travellers is Singapore Airlines, which has recently revamped its offering, according to TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.
Last year’s winner, Emirates, came in at third spot, just behind Air New Zealand, while Qatar Airways secured the eighth position.
The travel planning and booking site first started allowing travellers to review airlines last year. The best performers were chosen based on an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of airline reviews and ratings submitted by users over a 12-month period.
Airlines based in Asia dominated the top ten, bagging four out of ten spots (Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, EVA Air and Korean Air); followed by Middle East with two airlines (Emirates and Qatar Airways).
Singapore Airlines also scooped the awards for its First Class and Economy cabins, while Qatar Airways won the best Business Class category and Air New Zealand for best Premium Economy.
Flyers voting for Singapore Airlines highlighted the exceptional quality of food and attentive staff of the Asian carrier, while those who favoured Emirates marvelled at the size of the airline’s superjumbo planes and were happy with the wider and comfortable seats.
“This airline is the essence of style, class and comfort. Everything I had experienced was surpassed. From their presentation, to their service, which is professional, but does not override their personable approach to travellers,” wrote one Emirates flyer.
The 10 best airlines in the world for 2018 (according to TripAdvisor)
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Air New Zealand
3. Emirates
4. Japan Airlines
5. EVA Air
6. Southwest Airlines
7. Jet2.com
8. Qatar Airways
9. Azul
10. Korean Air
