New world best airline.

Qatar Airways has supplanted Emirates to claim the title of best carrier at the annual World Airline Awards.

The gong will offer solace to the Doha-based airline, which has suffered in recent weeks thanks to a diplomatic crisis between Qatar and four of its Middle Eastern neighbours. It is currently banned from flying to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia over allegations - denied by authorities in Doha - that Qatar has been funding terrorism in the region.

It is the fourth time Qatar Airways as claimed the top prize, having won in 2011, 2012 and 2015 - Credit: REUTERS/Edgar Su
It is the fourth time Qatar Airways as claimed the top prize, having won in 2011, 2012 and 2015 Credit: REUTERS/Edgar Su
The 2017 World Airline Awards, organised by Skytrax, put Qatar Airways on top of the podium, ahead of Singapore Airlines and ANA All Nippon Airways.

Last year’s winner, Emirates, fell to fourth overall, while Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Etihad, Hainan Airlines and Garuda Indonesia completed the top 10.

It is the fourth time Qatar Airways as claimed the top prize, having won in 2011, 2012 and 2015. British Airways (BA), which took the title in 2006 but has endured a torrid few years amid claims it is trying to ape its low-cost rivals, is now ranked 40th, down from 26th last year and just one place ahead of easyJet.

Virgin Atlantic is now Britain’s best airline, according to Skytrax, and rated 33rd overall - down from 28th in 2016. Budget airline Norwegian (28th), Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus (38th), and Aeroflot (30th) also finished ahead of BA.

Ryanair, meanwhile, rose sharply in the rankings, from 108th to 76th – a testament perhaps to recent efforts to improve its reputation and attract families.

Also flying up the table were Alaska Airlines (36th, up from 60th), Ethiopia Airlines (48th, up from 76th), and Saudi Arabian Airlines (51st, up from 82nd).

United Airlines has also suffered in the latest rankings
United Airlines has also suffered in the latest rankings
Falling fast were United, unsurprisingly given its recent travails (78th, down from 68th), and Alitalia, which remains embroiled in financial problems (63rd, down from 59th).

The world's 20 best airlines, according to Skytrax

Qatar Airways (+1)
Singapore Airlines (+1)
ANA All Nippon Airways (+2)
Emirates (-3)
Cathay Pacific (-1)
EVA Air (+2)
Lufthansa (+3)
Etihad (-2)
Hainan Airlines (+3)
Garuda Indonesia (+1)
Thai Airways (+2)
Turkish Airlines (-5)
Virgin Australia (+5)
Swiss (+1)
Qantas (-6)
Japan Airlines (+5)
Austrian (+2)
Air France (-4)
Air New Zealand (-2)
Asiana (-4)