Emirates has been named the best airline in the world at the annual World Airline Awards held today by Skytrax at the Farnborough International Air Show in Hampshire.

The Dubai-based airline took home the prestigious title, trumping last year’s winner Qatar Airways, which came second.

Singapore Airlines took third spot, followed by Cathay Pacific, both in last year’s top five, while ANA All Nippon Airways rose two places to come fifth.

The top 10 world’s best airlines*

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

*according to the 2016 Skytrax World Airline 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,” said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates.

In other awards, Qatar Airways took gongs for the world’s best business class, best business class lounge and best airline staff in the Middle East, while Singapore was awarded the best airline in Asia and ANA All Nippon Airways was recognised for offering the world’s best airport services and having the best airline staff in Asia for the second year in a row.

Other accolades included the world’s best low-cost airline handed to Norwegian and the world’s most improved airline won by Thai Airways.

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 Dining
Best 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 Transpacific
Best 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

Norwegian
World’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 Alliance
World’s Best Airline Alliance
World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge

Thai Airways
World’s Most Improved Airline
Best 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”.

SOURCE YAHOO, Read more..