Results of the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards named Qatar Airways as Airline of the Year. Air Canada earned the Best Airline in North America title and placed 29th among the world’s airlines.
Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of the Qatar Airways Group, said in a press release that being named the World’s Best Airline at this moment is a powerful endorsement of passengers’ trust in the carrier’s consistent commitment to quality. He noted the award reflects the hard work and dedication of every employee and emphasized that Skytrax awards are determined by traveler votes. “To them I offer my sincere thanks, and I look forward to welcoming them on board soon,” he said.
The recognition arrived while Qatar Airways faced diplomatic and operational challenges after several neighboring countries severed ties and restricted Qatari flights from using their airspace, forcing the airline to adapt routes and operations.
Al Baker framed the accolade as broader than the company itself: “At these difficult times of illegal bans on flights out of my country by big bullies, this is an award not to me, not to my airline, but to my country,” he said, expressing gratitude and national pride.
The 2017 Skytrax ranking also highlighted that no U.S. carrier placed within the top 20 airlines worldwide.