Skytrax Awards: Aegean Airlines named again best regional airline in Europe for 2016

Greece's Aegean Airlines was distinguished again as Best Regional Airline in Europe for 2016 at the annual World Airline Awards held by Skytrax at the Farnborough International Air Show in Hampshire.

The leaders and top management from over 40 airlines from across the globe attended the event, where Emirates was voted the World’s Best Airline by air travellers.

At the awards event, Edward Plaisted of Skytrax commented: “we are honoured to have so many airlines travel here today and receive their accolades after being voted as Best Airlines in many different categories. For many years we have been dedicated to providing a survey and awards process that remains independent, and delivering an event that is aptly known as the Passenger’s Choice Awards. We have seen many familiar names here today appearing as repeat winners, which I guess reflects that in many cases ‘once a winner, always a winner’ in many customers eyes."

The World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2016

1. Emirates
2. Qatar Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Etihad Airways
7. Turkish Airlines
8. EVA Air
9. Qantas Airways
10. Lufthansa

This is the fourth time Emirates has won this top prize in the awards history. The airline also retained its stranglehold on the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment category with another strong performance. In addition to these top awards, Emirates improved its position across a range of awards categories performing well in First, Business and Economy Class survey sections and achieving a top-10 finish (10) in the World’s Best Cabin Staff category.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “We are honoured to be recognised by the prestigious Skytrax awards. Emirates has always put our customers at the heart of what we do, and we work hard to deliver the very best experience possible to our customers at every touchpoint, every day, all around the world. We constantly invest in our product and services, both on the ground and in the air. We listen carefully our customers, and then relentlessly challenge ourselves to deliver and exceed expectations. The fact that these awards are based on the direct feedback from passengers is gratifying and wonderful recognition for all of the hard work that’s gone into creating the Emirates experience.”

Distinguished airlines

Qatar Airways was ranked No 2 in the world, and won other top awards being named the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class lounge and Best Airline Staff in the Middle East. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “It is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways to be named World’s Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best in the Middle East by the prestigious Skytrax Airline Awards, not only for myself, but for every individual at Qatar Airways who creates the passengers’ experience – from our on-board Cabin Crew to the chefs overseeing our catering, to the technicians who ensure the cabin is in perfect working order. Our commitment to continued success is unwavering and a testament to the dedication of our global teams. The airline’s renowned service, modern aircraft and luxurious cabins, combined with an expanding global network, continue to set Qatar Airways apart from the competition.”

Third placed Singapore Airlines achieved top success winning the award for Best Airline in Asia, as well as the title for the Best Business Class Airline Seat. Commenting on the awards. Singapore Airlines said: “We are honoured to receive these prestigious awards, which are a validation of the hard work and dedication of our staff around the world who ensure that Singapore Airlines remains competitive on a global level.”

ANA All Nippon Airways achieved repeat success, ranked No 5 in the world in the global results and securing the awards for the World’s Best Airport Services and Best Airline Staff in Asia for the second successive year. Mr. Osamu Shinobe, President and CEO of ANA, commented on the awards: “ANA is committed to becoming the world’s leading airline and providing all passengers with a superior air travel experience. We are focused on providing a personalized, high-quality service which ensures the comfort and safety of all our customers.”

Norwegian was voted the Best Low Cost Airline in Europe for the fourth successive year, in addition to collecting the award for Best Long Haul Low Cost Airline – for their expanding long haul operation. Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos said: “I am honoured to accept these awards but this recognition belongs most of all to Norwegian’s hard-working staff and our loyal passengers. We believe that not only should air travel be affordable to all, but also that low-cost can still mean high-quality. It is truly rewarding to see that our brand new planes, expansive route network, low fares and the great service offered by our crew have been appreciated by passengers. These awards give us huge momentum as we continue our ambitious expansion plans in Europe, the US and beyond.”

Skytrax World Airline Awards: A-Z of winners

Aegean Airlines Best Regional Airline in Europe

Aeroflot Russian Airlines Best Airline in Eastern Europe

Air Astana Best Airline in Central Asia / India Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia / India

Air France Best First Class Airline Lounge DiningBest First Class Comfort Amenities

Air New Zealand World's Best Premium Economy Class Cabin World's Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat

AirAsia World's Best Low-Cost Airline Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia

AirAsia X World's Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin World's Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat

ANA All Nippon Airways World's Best Airport Services Best Airline Staff Service in Asia

Asiana Airlines World's Best Economy Class Best Economy Seat Best Economy Class Onboard Catering

Austrian Best Airline Staff Service in Europe Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras Best Low-Cost Airline in South America Best Airline Staff in South America

Bangkok Airways World's Best Regional Airline Best Regional Airline in Asia

Cathay Pacific Airways World's Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness Best First Class Airline Lounge

Copa Airlines Best Airline in Central America / Caribbean Best Regional Airline in Central America / Caribbean Best Airline Staff Service in Central America / Caribbean

Emirates World's Best Airline (Airline of the Year) World's Best Airline Inflight Entertainment

Ethiopian Airlines Best Airline Staff Service in Africa

Etihad Airways World's Best First Class Best First Class Seat Best First Class Onboard Catering

EVA Air Best Airline TranspacificBest Business Class Comfort Amenities

Finnair Best Airline in Northern Europe

flyDubai Best Low Cost Airline in the Middle East

Garuda Indonesia World's Best Cabin Crew

Hainan Airlines Best Airline in China Best Airline Staff Service in China

Hawaiian Airlines Best Airline Staff Service in North America

Indigo Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia / India

Jetstar Airways Best Low-Cost Airline in Australia / Pacific

Juneyao Airlines Best Regional Airline in China

Kulula Best Low Cost Airline in Africa

LAN Airlines Best Airline in South America

Lufthansa Best Airline in Western Europe Best Airline Transatlantic

NorwegianWorld's Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe

Plaza Premium World's Best Independent Airport Lounge

Porter Airlines Best Regional Airline in North America

Qantas Best Airline Australia in Pacific Best Airline Staff in Australia / Pacific Best Premium Economy Onboard Catering

Qatar Airways World's Best Business Class Best Business Class Airline Lounge Best Airline Staff in the Middle East

Royal Air Maroc Best Regional Airline in Africa

Singapore Airlines Best Airline in Asia Best Business Class Airline Seat

Sky Airline Best Regional Airline South America

South African Airways Best Airline in Africa

Spring Airlines Best Low-Cost Airline in China

Star AllianceWorld's Best Airline Alliance World's Best Airline Alliance Lounge

Thai Airways World's Most Improved AirlineBest Airline Lounge Spa Facility

Thomson Airways World's Best Leisure Airline

Turkish Airlines Best Airline in Europe Best Airline in Southern Europe Best Business Class Airline Catering Best Business Class Lounge Dining

Virgin America Best Airline in North America Best Low-Cost Airline in North America

Often referred to as the "Oscars of the aviation industry", the World Airline Awards this year welcomed entries from more airlines than ever before. The winners are then chosen based on what is said to be "the world's largest airline passenger satisfaction survey".

While the figures for this year's awards are yet to be released, last year's survey of 18.9 million passengers saw more than 245 airlines measured on 41 key performance standards, from the quality of check-in service and boarding procedures to cabin cleanliness and other indicators.

Read more here.

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