[imagesource:here]

For those on the “it’s all about the journey, not the destination” side of things, which airline you travel with matters.

I usually just bang in my dates and destination on Google Flights and choose the cheapest option with the least annoying stopovers and call it a lekker travel plan.

But I must say, there is a marked difference between flying with Ethiopian Airlines (lost baggage, impossible layover time, below-average airport) versus Qatar Airways (swift and stunning).

Travelling in the wake of a global pandemic is already anxiety-inducing, so paying a little more for a stress-free flight is often worth it.

Noting the Skytrax World Airline Awards for 2022 might help you choose who to fly with next time you get the travel itch.

Qatar Airways has been named the world’s best airline, per Bloomberg, with Singapore Airlines Ltd. and Emirates chasing after them in second and third, respectively:

“Qatar Airways was the largest airline to have flown consistently throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with their network never falling below 30 destinations,” Skytrax chief executive officer Edward Plaisted said in a press release.

“That determination has clearly been well recognized by customers.”

Japan’s All Nippon Airways Co. and Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd. rounded out the top five.

The awards also broke down the best airline for each cabin class:

Best first-class cabin went to Singapore Airlines, while Qatar picked up best business class. Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. won for premium economy and Emirates for best economy cabin.

In other categories, Singapore Airlines’ budget carrier Scoot took top place for best long-haul low-cost airline; Singapore Airlines also scooped best cabin staff; and ANA were number one for cabin cleanliness.

Here’s the list of the best airlines for this year:

1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
4. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
5. Qantas Airways
6. Japan Airlines
7. Turk Hava Yollari (Turkish Airlines)
8. Air France
9. Korean Air
10. Swiss International Air Lines
11. British Airways
12. Etihad Airways
13. China Southern
14. Hainan Airlines
15. Lufthansa
16. Cathay Pacific
17. KLM
18. EVA Air
19. Virgin Atlantic
20. Vistara

Hong Kong’s largely grounded Cathay Pacific has had a stark fall from sixth place last year to 16th this year.

With more than 350 airlines to choose from, the World Airline Awards were determined by an online customer survey that ran from September 2021 to August 2022 in six languages.

[source:bloomberg]