Emirates named world’s best airline in Skytrax awards

Emirates was also named the best airline in the Middle East at the Skytrax awards. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Emirates on Tuesday was named the world’s best airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2016.

The Dubai carrier also won the world’s best inflight entertainment award for a record 12th consecutive year, and best airline in the Middle East.

Emirates president Tim Clark, in a statement, 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 to 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.”

This is the fourth time Emirates has earned the top plum since Skytrax introduced the airline awards 15 years ago: the carrier won the first in 2001, again in 2002 and in 2013. In total, Emirates has won a total of 20 Skytrax World Airline Awards since 2001.

The World’s Best Airline Awards are considered a global benchmark of airline excellence, which are based on the results of the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey in the industry. This year’s Skytrax awards were based on a total of 19.2 million completed surveys covering 280 airlines, by customers hailing from more than 104 countries.

Doha-based Qatar Airways, meanwhile, was ranked second best airline in the world aside from being named the world’s best business class, the world’s best business class lounge and best airline staff in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, meanwhile, was awarded the sixth best airline in the world. The carrier took the world’s best first class, best first class seat and best first class onboard catering awards.

The Arabian Gulf airlines have been engaged in a protracted war of words against and their American rivals, with allegations of unfair government subsidies against the Gulf carriers.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the director general of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, was scheduled to hold “technical talks” with US officials this month during which the subject of airline subsidies will be discussed.

"We will carry technical discussions with the US government in mid-July," Mr Al Suwaidi told The National.

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