The world’s best airline for 2022 named

Maureen O'Hare
By Maureen O'Hare, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 2:38 PM EDT, Fri September 23, 2022
<strong>1. Qatar Airways:</strong> Qatar's state-owned flag carrier airline has just been named the best airline in the world for the seventh time in the Skytrax World Airline Awards. <br />
1. Qatar Airways: Qatar's state-owned flag carrier airline has just been named the best airline in the world for the seventh time in the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
<strong>2. Singapore Airlines: </strong>As well as being this year's No.2 airline, Singapore Airlines was awarded World's Best Cabin Staff. Nine out of the top 10 airlines in this award category are Asia-based.
2. Singapore Airlines: As well as being this year's No.2 airline, Singapore Airlines was awarded World's Best Cabin Staff. Nine out of the top 10 airlines in this award category are Asia-based.
Courtesy AirlingRatings.com
<strong>3. Emirates: </strong>Emirates is one of the UAE's two flag-carriers, alongside Etihad. It's the world's biggest customer for the <a href="https://cnn.com/travel/article/emirates-boss-tim-clark-on-the-a380-and-why-we-need-a-new-super-jumbo/index.html" target="_blank">Airbus A380</a>. <br />
3. Emirates: Emirates is one of the UAE's two flag-carriers, alongside Etihad. It's the world's biggest customer for the Airbus A380.
Adam Scheck/AP
<strong>4. ANA (All Nippon Airways): </strong>The Tokyo-based airline won five awards, including Best Airport Services and Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness.
4. ANA (All Nippon Airways): The Tokyo-based airline won five awards, including Best Airport Services and Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness.
Kyodo News/Getty Images
<strong>5. Qantas: </strong>Australian airline Qantas also took home five awards, including Best Premium Economy Class Catering.
5. Qantas: Australian airline Qantas also took home five awards, including Best Premium Economy Class Catering.
Tino Plunert/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>6. Japan Airlines: </strong>As well as being the No.6 airline, Japan Airlines took the award for Best Economy Class Airline Seat.
6. Japan Airlines: As well as being the No.6 airline, Japan Airlines took the award for Best Economy Class Airline Seat.
Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg/Getty Images
<strong>7. Turkish Airlines: </strong>Turkish Airlines won four awards, including Best Airline in Europe -- a highly competitive category.
7. Turkish Airlines: Turkish Airlines won four awards, including Best Airline in Europe -- a highly competitive category.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images
<strong>8. Air France: </strong>The French flag carrier was awarded Best Airline in Western Europe and Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in Europe.
8. Air France: The French flag carrier was awarded Best Airline in Western Europe and Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in Europe.
Bodo Marks/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
<strong>9. Korean Air: </strong>Headquartered in Seoul, Korean Air is South Korea's flag carrier and biggest airline.
9. Korean Air: Headquartered in Seoul, Korean Air is South Korea's flag carrier and biggest airline.
SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg/Getty Images
<strong>10. Swiss International Air Lines: </strong>The Swiss flag carrier was also awarded Best First Class Lounge and Best First Class Lounge Dining.
10. Swiss International Air Lines: The Swiss flag carrier was also awarded Best First Class Lounge and Best First Class Lounge Dining.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images
<strong>11. British Airways:</strong> The UK flag carrier was presented awards for Best Airline Staff Service in Europe and Best Cabin Crew in Europe.
11. British Airways: The UK flag carrier was presented awards for Best Airline Staff Service in Europe and Best Cabin Crew in Europe.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images
<strong>12. Etihad:</strong> The UAE airline will be celebrating having been awarded Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.
12. Etihad: The UAE airline will be celebrating having been awarded Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.
Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
<strong>13. China Southern Airlines: </strong>Chinese airlines' position in the 2022 rankings was affected by the lack of international flights being operated over the last couple of years due to China's zero-Covid approach to handling the pandemic.
13. China Southern Airlines: Chinese airlines' position in the 2022 rankings was affected by the lack of international flights being operated over the last couple of years due to China's zero-Covid approach to handling the pandemic.
Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
<strong>14. Hainan Airlines: </strong>As well as being the No.14 airline, Hainan won six China-specific award categories, including Best Airline Cabin Crew, Best Cabin Cleanliness, Best Business Class, Best Economy Class and Best Airline Staff Service.
14. Hainan Airlines: As well as being the No.14 airline, Hainan won six China-specific award categories, including Best Airline Cabin Crew, Best Cabin Cleanliness, Best Business Class, Best Economy Class and Best Airline Staff Service.
Luo Yunfei/China News Service/Getty Images
<strong>15. Lufthansa: </strong>The German flag carrier will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding in January 2023.
15. Lufthansa: The German flag carrier will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding in January 2023.
David Ramos/Getty Images
<strong>16. Cathay Pacific:</strong> Hong Kong's flag carrier has won Skytrax's World's Best Airline award multiple times, but its performance in the survey this year is hampered by Covid-19 travel restrictions.
16. Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong's flag carrier has won Skytrax's World's Best Airline award multiple times, but its performance in the survey this year is hampered by Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Courtesy Cathay Pacific Airways
<strong>17. KLM: </strong>The Dutch flag carrier serves 92 European cities and 70 intercontinental destinations.
17. KLM: The Dutch flag carrier serves 92 European cities and 70 intercontinental destinations.
Sipa/AP
<strong>18. EVA Air: </strong>The Taiwanese airline was founded in 1989 and is known for its quirky special liveries, including several themed around the Japanese character Hello Kitty.
18. EVA Air: The Taiwanese airline was founded in 1989 and is known for its quirky special liveries, including several themed around the Japanese character Hello Kitty.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images