
Skytrax is a renowned airline rating system that provides a comprehensive evaluation of airlines worldwide. It's based on passenger reviews and ratings, with over 18 million travelers contributing to the database.
The Skytrax Airline of the Year award is given to the airline that receives the highest rating, which is determined by passenger reviews. This award is considered a benchmark of excellence in the aviation industry.
Skytrax also ranks airlines in various categories, such as World's Best Airline, Best Low-Cost Airline, and Best Regional Airline. These rankings are based on passenger reviews and ratings, and are updated annually.
The Skytrax ratings are based on a 5-star system, with airlines receiving ratings from 1 to 5 stars. The ratings are based on passenger reviews and ratings, and are considered a reliable indicator of an airline's quality and service.
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Skytrax Methodology
Skytrax dedicates a detailed page on their site to the methodology used for their survey, surveying millions of travelers around the world.
Customers are asked to rank dozens of factors on a scale from one to five, covering four categories: cabin service, onboard product, ground and airport service, and Covid-19 sensitivity.
In the ground and airport category, there are at least four attributes related to baggage, but it's not clear why they don't ask about the price paid for the flight or the overall value received.
They do ask about the price of onboard food and beverages along with the quality of these, which seems inconsistent with not asking about baggage price.
Skytrax asks customers to rank the baggage policies, but it's unclear why they don't ask about the overall value received.
The methodology page doesn't mention whether "NA" is an acceptable answer, leaving some ambiguity.
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Classements
Skytrax is a well-respected organization that annually recognizes the best airlines in Europe.
The European Airline of the Year award is given to the top three airlines in a particular year.
Here's a breakdown of the top three airlines for each year from 2010 to 2024:
Lufthansa has been a consistent top performer, holding the number one spot in 2010, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Best Airlines
Skytrax, a renowned airline rating system, has been ranking the world's top airlines since 2001. Emirates has been a consistent performer, holding the top spot in 2001 and 2002.
The ranking system considers various factors, including service quality, comfort, and overall passenger experience. Singapore Airlines has been a close second, ranking second in 2001 and 2002, and again in 2004 and 2007.
Here are the top 3 airlines ranked by Skytrax from 2001 to 2024:
Skytrax has also been ranking the best airlines in Europe since 2010, with Turkish Airlines consistently ranking as one of the top three airlines. In 2010, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and Turkish Airlines took the top three spots.
Airport Awards
Skytrax, a renowned travel review website, has been evaluating the quality of international airports since 1999.
The Skytrax Airport Awards are a testament to the excellence of these airports, with top performers receiving the coveted Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards.
The awards have been dominated by a few standout airports, with the Aéroport Changi de Singapour taking home the Gold award a record number of times.
Here's a breakdown of the top airports to win the Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards over the years:
Other notable airports that have consistently ranked high in the awards include the Aéroport international d'Incheon and the Aéroport international de Tokyo-Haneda.
The Aéroport international Hamad has also made a strong showing in recent years, winning the Gold award in 2021 and 2022.
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Reviews and Feedback
Skytrax has a system for collecting and publishing airline reviews, but it's not without controversy. In fact, the online investigations company KwikChex filed five complaints with the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in 2012.
These complaints centered around Skytrax's claims about the volume and reliability of their reviews, as well as the official status and update frequency of their ratings. Skytrax argued that every review underwent a four-stage authentication process, but it couldn't provide proof it had followed its own procedures.
The ASA ruled in favor of KwikChex, upholding all five complaints and prompting Skytrax to modify its promotional wording. This suggests that Skytrax may not have been as transparent as it claimed about its review process.
Here are some examples of actual reviews on Skytrax's website:
- 10/10 - A flight attendant received praise for staying calm while helping passengers with wheelchairs and taking them to the plane.
- 5/10 - A traveler encountered issues with baggage allowance and add-ons on a codeshare flight operated by Malaysia Airlines.
- 1/10 - A passenger experienced a mechanical problem with the plane, causing the flight to depart late.
Latest Airline Reviews
Reviews and feedback are crucial for airlines to improve their services and build customer loyalty. One airline, Shout out gate attendant, received a glowing review from a passenger who praised the staff at gate A15 for staying calm while helping with wheelchairs and taking passengers to the plane.
A recent flight operated by Malaysia Airlines, booked through Traveloka, received a mediocre review. The passenger encountered issues with baggage allowance and add-ons, which they believe is an important aspect to consider when booking a flight. This highlights the importance of carefully reading airline policies and fees.
Some airlines have raised concerns about the impartiality of review platforms like Skytrax, which also provides consulting services to airlines. This has led to accusations of biased ratings and excessive rewards, making it difficult for airlines to truly be held accountable for their performance.
Here are some examples of airline reviews:
- 10/10 - Shout out gate attendant (Flight MX748 Richmond to ft Myers, 10/29 3:30pm)
- 5/10 - Recent flight operated by Malaysia Airlines (booked through Traveloka)
- 1/10 - Flight with mechanical problem and delayed departure (apart from usual annoyances)
Investigations

In 2012, the online investigations company KwikChex filed five complaints with the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) related to Skytrax's website.
Skytrax claimed it had a four-stage authentication process for reviews, but was unable to provide proof it had followed its own procedures.
The ASA ruled that there was no evidence Skytrax had followed its claimed procedures to check the genuineness of reviews.
Skytrax's customer emails were deleted 24 hours after a review was submitted, making it impossible to verify their authenticity.
Skytrax agreed to modify some promotional wording after the ASA upheld all five complaints in 2012.
Skytrax is categorized as a business services company and an aviation organization based in the United Kingdom.
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Customer Engagement
Customer Engagement is a top priority for airlines, and Skytrax is no exception. They take customer feedback seriously and encourage airlines to respond to user reviews.
Airlines and airports can respond to user reviews, making it easier for passengers to get their concerns addressed. This shows that Skytrax values transparency and open communication.
Skytrax conducts research and surveys to rate various aspects of air travel, including cabin staff, airports, and in-flight entertainment. This helps airlines identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
The Skytrax website features a forum where passengers share insights and opinions about airlines, providing potential passengers with valuable information. This community-driven approach helps create a more informed and engaged customer base.
Here are the 11 airlines that have earned the prestigious 5-star rating from Skytrax:
- All Nippon Airways
- Asiana Airlines
- Cathay Pacific*
- EVA Air
- Garuda Indonesia*
- Hainan Airlines
- Japan Airlines*
- Korean Air*
- Qatar Airways*
- Singapore Airlines*
- Starlux Airlines
These airlines have demonstrated exceptional standards of service and product, setting the bar high for the rest of the industry.
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