07/26/2021 6:16 AM
Clarín.com
Travels
Updated 07/26/2021 6:16 AM
The pandemic hit aviation like never before.
While uncertainty reigned, borders were closed and thousands of people canceled their flights.
The specialized site
AirlineRatings.com
awarded the airlines that were able to overcome these difficulties with success and has just announced which are the
20 best airlines of 2021.
The
Airline Excellence Awards
were evaluated by editors with years of industry experience.
11 key criteria were taken into account including: fleet age, passenger reviews, investment rating, product offerings, staff relationships, and virus management.
To be in the top twenty, airlines must achieve a seven-star safety rating and demonstrate leadership in innovation for the convenience of their customers.
A Qatari plane parked at Rome Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport.
Photo Mauro Scrobogna / LaPresse via AP.
Qatar Airways
took first place.
According to the page, the reasons were: the "commitment to keep the world's air routes open during covid-19, innovation, new products and world-renowned on-board service."
Qatar Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Over the past 16 months, we have witnessed some of the darkest days ever seen by the aviation industry.
However, when so many other airlines stopped flying, Qatar Airways continued to operate and support our passengers. "
The company was the first to complete IATA's major IOSA security audit and was among the first to test the IATA Covid Secure Travel Pass.
A Qatar Airways plane about to land at Heathrow Airport, London.
Photo Reuters / Toby Melville.
The airline is in continuous development.
It introduced new types of aircraft such as the 787, A350 and 777X and has
one of the youngest fleets in the world.
In addition, it is investing millions to renovate the cabins with a new product that includes the business class Qsuites.
Qatar Airways also took home the award for Best Business Class, Best Catering Service and Best Airline in the Middle East.
The ranking
In second place of the best airlines in the world, was
Air New Zealand
, which in 2020 had achieved the first place.
Then there was Singapore Airlines, which stands out for its technological innovation and on-board products.
The airline also won the Best First Class award.
The list continues with
Qantas
- based in Australia.
for its outstanding safety and performance record during the pandemic.
It also took home the Best Domestic Service award.
Air New Zealand planes at New Zealand's Christchurch Airport.
AP Photo / Mark Baker.
Emirates, a Dubai company, ranked fifth.
It just introduced a premium economy class that is being hailed as one of the best in the industry.
Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, EVA Air and British Airways round out the top ten.
Other acknowledgments to Qatar Airways
The Doha-based company was also honored this year by eDreams, the European online sales company.
It took first place among the airlines that were most successful in providing efficient services in times of coronavirus.
Qatar Airways has already been recognized as the best airline in the world by eDreams.
Photo Reuters / Toby Melville.
According to the data collected from a survey with more than 60 thousand opinions made by its customers after completing a trip, Qatar Airways was the best in the world.
In addition to the experience on board in airplanes, the qualification took into account contact with the customer, returns and refunds, reliability, flexibility of tickets, value for money, and safety.
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