Emirates is the top airline in the world for flying in premium economy cabins, according to the annual Skytrax awards. Photo: Emirates
Emirates is the top airline in the world for flying in premium economy cabins, according to the annual Skytrax awards. Photo: Emirates
Emirates is the top airline in the world for flying in premium economy cabins, according to the annual Skytrax awards. Photo: Emirates
Emirates is the top airline in the world for flying in premium economy cabins, according to the annual Skytrax awards. Photo: Emirates

Travel

Emirates is world's best airline for flying premium economy, says Skytrax

Singapore Airlines knocks Qatar Airways off the top spot to be crowned world’s best air carrier at the 2023 awards

Hayley Skirka
Hayley Skirka

June 21, 2023

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Emirates has the world’s best premium economy cabins according to international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.

Having officially debuted its premium economy cabins in August last year, the Dubai airline's new class of travel, which features wider seats, leg rests and an elevated in-flight menu, has been a success. Emirates also picked up the accolade for having the best premium economy seats in the industry.

Th airline, which recently announced Hollywood actress Penelope Cruz as its newest ambassador, also took the top spot for premium economy cabins in the annual AirlineRatings awards earlier this month.

Emirates is also the world’s fourth best airline says Skytrax, according to the results of more than 20 million online passenger surveys. Singapore Airlines topped this ranking to be crowned the world’s best airline, knocking seven-time winner Qatar Airways off the top spot into second place.

But the Gulf airline reigned champion for premium travel, picking up an award for the best business class cabins in the world. Qatar also took home accolades for having the best staff in the Middle East and the region's best economy cabins.

  • Travellers can now check in for Emirates premium economy flights. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Travellers can now check in for Emirates premium economy flights. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The new cabin class is now available to Emirates customers travelling on A380 routes to London, Paris and Sydney.
    The new cabin class is now available to Emirates customers travelling on A380 routes to London, Paris and Sydney.
  • A boarding pass for Emirates' premium economy cabin.
    A boarding pass for Emirates' premium economy cabin.
  • The new cabin has luxurious seats and more legroom.
    The new cabin has luxurious seats and more legroom.
  • Cabin crew hand out hot towels to passengers seated in the premium economy cabin.
    Cabin crew hand out hot towels to passengers seated in the premium economy cabin.
  • Welcome drinks are part of the premium economy service.
    Welcome drinks are part of the premium economy service.
  • An Emirates crew member details safety features for travellers flying premium economy.
    An Emirates crew member details safety features for travellers flying premium economy.
  • The wood panelling in premium economy is inspired by Emirates' business-class cabins.
    The wood panelling in premium economy is inspired by Emirates' business-class cabins.
  • Each seat has a 13.3-inch screen, one of the largest in its class.
    Each seat has a 13.3-inch screen, one of the largest in its class.
  • Premium economy seats offer six-way adjustable headrests.
    Premium economy seats offer six-way adjustable headrests.
  • Leather seats have a 40-inch pitch, are 19.5 inches wide and recline eight inches into a comfortable cradle position.
    Leather seats have a 40-inch pitch, are 19.5 inches wide and recline eight inches into a comfortable cradle position.
  • Travellers flying premium economy all have easily accessible in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table for drinks.
    Travellers flying premium economy all have easily accessible in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table for drinks.
  • The cabin class offers passengers a distinct menu to choose from.
    The cabin class offers passengers a distinct menu to choose from.
  • Each seat also has calf rests and footrests.
    Each seat also has calf rests and footrests.
  • Welcome drinks and amenity kits are offered to travellers flying Emirates premium economy.
    Welcome drinks and amenity kits are offered to travellers flying Emirates premium economy.
  • The new cabin will also be added on flights to New Zealand from December.
    The new cabin will also be added on flights to New Zealand from December.

In third place is All Nippon Airways from Japan, which was also awarded the title of being the cleanest airline in the world.

In a new ranking of family-friendly airlines this year, Skytrax named Emirates as the Middle East’s best for traveling with children. Globally, Air Canada is the world’s most family-friendly airline.

Etihad Airways also ranks in Skytrax's top 20 list – the national airline of the UAE is the world's 13th best, out of more than 325 included in the survey results.

Saudi Arabia’s Flynas leads the way for affordable travel in the Middle East. The budget carrier, which is headquartered in Riyadh, is named the best low-cost airline in the Middle East, beating competition from other similar regional airlines, including flydubai, AirArabia, SalamAir and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.

The Skytrax annual awards ceremony is widely considered the Oscars equivalent of the airline industry. Results are compiled from customer satisfaction surveys completed by passengers around the world.

The world’s top 20 airlines in 2023, according to Skytrax

Singapore Airlines is the world's best according to the 2023 Skytrax awards. Reuters
Singapore Airlines is the world's best according to the 2023 Skytrax awards. Reuters
  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Qatar Airways
  3. All Nippon Airways
  4. Emirates
  5. Japan Airlines
  6. Turkish Airlines
  7. Air France
  8. Cathay Pacific Airways
  9. Eva Air
  10. Korean Air
  11. Hainan Airlines
  12. Swiss International Air Lines
  13. Etihad Airways
  14. Iberia
  15. Fiji Airways
  16. Vistara
  17. Qantas Airways
  18. British Airways
  19. Air New Zealand
  20. Delta Air Lines
War on waste
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

Updated: June 21, 2023, 9:41 AM
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