Qatar Airways named world's best airline for 2021. Here's list of top 20 carriers

AirlineRatings.com released its annual list of top 20 airlines in the world, applauding Qatar Airways for its “dedication and commitment to continue to operate” throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Qatar Airways has toppled Air New Zealand to become the world’s best carrier at a time when the aviation industry is badly hit by the pandemic, according to an aviation safety and product rating agency. AirlineRatings.com on Tuesday released its annual list of top 20 airlines in the world, applauding Qatar Airways for its “dedication and commitment to continue to operate” throughout the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Qatar Airways achieved a host of industry firsts, which helped it achieve the top spot on the list. (Reuters)

“To be named in the top twenty, airlines must achieve a seven-star safety rating and demonstrate leadership in innovation for passenger comfort,” AirlineRatings.com said.

Qatar Airways achieved a host of industry firsts, which helped it achieve the top spot on the list. It was the first carrier to complete IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the first to be fully audited and compliant for Covid-19 by both AirlineRatings and Skytrax. Qatar Airways has also been awarded Best Business Class, Best Catering, and Best Middle East Airline.

"For years Qatar Airways has been the gold standard, and it just keeps getting better with new passenger innovations and new state-of-the-art aircraft models,” AirlineRatings.com founder and Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said.

Here’s the list of the top 20 airlines ranked by AirlineRatings.com:

• Qatar Airways
• Air New Zealand
• Singapore Airlines
• Qantas, Emirates
• Cathay Pacific
• Virgin Atlantic
• United Airlines
• EVA Air
• British Airways
• Lufthansa
• ANA
• Finnair
• Japan Air Lines
• KLM
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Virgin Australia
• Delta Air Lines
• Etihad Airways

“On behalf of all of us at Qatar Airways, thank you for this distinguished recognition as Airline of the Year for 2021,” he added.