High flyers: The world's top 10 airlines revealed

Qantas did not make it in the list while Cathay Pacific was hailed the World’s Best Airline this year.

07:25 17 July 2014

Cathay Pacific was chosen as this year’s World’s Best Airline knocking off last year’s winner Emirates to take the top spot. This is the fourth time that the airline won the prestigious award after claiming the title in 2003, 2005, and 2009. 

 

Australian airline Qantas did not make it to the top 10 after it slipped from number 10 to number 11 due to some setbacks it experienced this year including job losses and questions over foreign ownership. Also, earlier this month, the airline gave some passengers a bad experience when its Airbus A380 bound for Melbourne was forced to go back after water flooded the aisles.  

 

Meanwhile, Malaysian Airline, which was previously included in the list on three different occasions slipped to number 18 due to the disappearance of MH370 flight. 

 

Winners were awarded at the Farnborough International Air Show in the UK. While the first place was awarded to Cathay Pacific, the second and third places were given to Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines followed by Emirates bagging the fourth place. 

 

The award for best first class cabin went to Singapore Airlines while Korean Airline Asiana won the best economy class cabin. Qatar ranked in the top spot for the best business class. AirAsia and AirAsiaX were hailed as the best budget airlines followed by Jetstar. 

 

Top 10 Airlines of the Year 2014 

 

1. Cathay Pacific Airways
2. Qatar Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Emirates
5. Turkish Airlines
6. ANA All Nippon Airways
7. Garuda Indonesia
8. Asiana Airlines
9. Etihad Airways
10. Lufthansa