Skytrax, an airline rating site, has been awarding the best airline every year since its inception in 1999. Singapore Airlines has clinched a top position at Skytrax's awards for the fifth time. This year, the top ten spots were dominated by Asian and Middle Eastern airlines.

Below are the top spots in order.

1. Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has been named winner of the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023 for the fifth time in the accolades’ 23-year history.

Its success has been driven by its unwavering commitment to customer service. Across all classes, passengers are treated to gourmet meals crafted by a team of globally acclaimed chefs. Additionally, the carrier's cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system, boasting a diverse selection of movies, music, and games, ensures a delightful experience for all travellers.

Complementing its offerings, Singapore Airlines and its budget carrier Scoot operate a fleet of over 180 aircraft, which serves a combined passenger network that extends across more than 110 destinations. The airline stands out as a frontrunner in seat comfort, in-flight service, and reliability within the industry. It also receives praise for its consistent improvements across all classes, featuring innovations such as a farm-to-plane catering concept and a wellness collaboration with California's Golden Door Spa. This partnership encompasses in-flight stretching, exercise routines, meditation practices, and sleep comfort programmes.

2. Qatar Airways

A seven-time Airline of the Year winner previously, this airline has been knocked into second position. Qatar Airways, which has its headquarters in the capital Doha, serves as the national airline of the State of Qatar.

Renowned for its trendsetting onboard experience, the airline emphasises comfort, exquisite cuisine, cutting-edge in-flight audio and video entertainment, award-winning service, and a modern fleet averaging only about 5 years old.

With a presence in over 150 prominent business and leisure destinations worldwide, Qatar Airways operates a fleet of over 200 aircraft, connecting continents including Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and South America.

Qatar boasts one of the aviation industry's most modern fleets of ultra-long-haul wide-body aircraft, encompassing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the latest Airbus counterpart, the Airbus A350-1000. These jets feature special structures that enable lower cabin pressure and higher humidity levels, potentially reducing the impact of jet lag—particularly beneficial for passengers connecting through Qatar's hub in Doha to onward destinations. Notably, Qatar Airways' QSuite business class has garnered widespread acclaim, offering amenities such as double beds and four-person dining suites, complemented by thoughtful touches like hot towels and a welcome drink.

3. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

ANA was established in 1952 with just two helicopters and then evolved into Japan's largest carrier and one of Asia's most prominent airlines.

It operates 82 international and 118 domestic routes and boasts a distinctive dual hub model. This model allows passengers to seamlessly transit through Tokyo's two major airports, Narita and Haneda, facilitating travel to various destinations across Japan.

Furthermore, ANA facilitates same-day connections between numerous North American, Asian, and Chinese cities.
ANA receives accolades for its welcoming customer service, comfortable seating, and exceptional premium economy– offering wide-body aircraft to serve transpacific routes from Tokyo. As a member of the world's largest airline alliance, Star Alliance, ANA is recognised for its outstanding business-class product featuring a staggered layout, providing enhanced privacy with alternating front and rear-facing seats.

4. Emirates

Emirates serves as a vital connector, linking the world to and through its central hub in Dubai.

Operating modern, efficient, and comfortable aircraft, Emirates’ culturally diverse team provides award-winning services to passengers across six continents daily. Presently, the fleet consists of 262 aircraft, which serves 152 destinations globally.

Notably, in 2020, Emirates emerged as the largest international airline as the industry rebounded from the COVID‑19 pandemic, accommodating 15.8 million passengers throughout the year.

While Emirates often garners attention for its luxurious offerings in first and business class—such as cocktail lounges and in-flight showers—there's much more to its appeal for travellers. Equipped with a fleet of Airbus A380s, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a cutting-edge entertainment system boasting up to 5,000 channels of TV, movies, music, and news, the Dubai-based airline is praised for its service and amenities across all classes. In 2021, Emirates introduced its long-awaited premium economy cabin, focusing on the "premium" aspect of this hybrid class. This includes dedicated check-in areas, plush leather seating, sustainable blankets crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and upscale linen napkins and china during meal service.

5. Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines occupies the fifth position according to Skytrax’s rating.

Established in 1951, Japan Airlines boasts a modern fleet comprising over 230 aircraft. Recognized as one of the world's leading carriers, it became a member of the Oneworld Alliance in 2007. Operating from four major hubs in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Okinawa, Japan Airlines offers services to 95 destinations spanning 20 territories. Renowned for its rich history and commitment to embodying traditional Japanese hospitality, JAL prioritizes flight safety and strives for excellence in all aspects of its service to ensure the utmost satisfaction of its guests.

Having served as Japan's official flag carrier for many years, JAL recently bolstered its fleet by procuring more of the cutting-edge Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350s. These aircraft are known for their passenger-friendly features such as mood lighting and enhanced humidity levels, offering relief from jet lag. JAL provides traditional first and business-class accommodations, while its premium economy class stands out for its generous legroom and cuisine that harmonizes Japanese and Western flavours.

6. Turkish Airlines

Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is in sixth place.

Established in 1933 with only five aircraft, Turkish Airlines has grown into a global airline with a fleet exceeding 300 aircraft, serving over 300 destinations worldwide.

Proudly bearing the Turkish flag, Turkish Airlines plays a crucial role in connecting passengers to destinations across the globe. It proudly asserts its slogan, "We fly to more countries than any other airline in the world," showcasing its extensive reach and commitment to global connectivity.

With its opulent new airport hub in Istanbul, Turkey's flagship airline now has the infrastructure to match its aspirations: to emerge as the preferred connecting hub for transatlantic travellers.

The airline earns acclaim for its highly-regarded stopover program in the capital, offering passengers vouchers for luxurious four- or five-star hotels en route to numerous cities across Europe and Asia. Travellers also commend its superb cuisine, comfortable seating, and attentive in-flight service.

The remaining positions are occupied in order by Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, EVA Air and Korean Air.

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