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Air Canada, Porter Shine at 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards

Air Canada and Porter Airlines lead the way for Canada in this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards. Air Transat also picked up a major award.

Air Canada won five awards; the most of any Canadian airline. AC won for the world's Best Business Class Airline Lounge Catering and also the Best Cabin Crew in Canada. The carrier was also awarded for Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in North America, and was named the Most Family Friendly Airline in North America, and Cleanest Airline in North America.

Air Canada placed higher overall than any Canadian airline, coming second in the North American rankings for 2024. It also finished 29th in the world ratings, up significantly from number 38 last year.

Air Canada's in-flight entertainment scored higher than any airline in Canada, finishing 14th in the world, while Star Alliance was named World's Best Airline Alliance 2024.

"We are very pleased with the results of this year's Skytrax World Airline Awards due to the number of awards we won and also because they recognize Air Canada's industry leadership in delivering superior products and service across our diverse customer base, said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada. “I am particularly pleased to see the work of our flight attendants and our cabin services operations teams being recognized."

Air Canada operates two Signature Suite lounges for departing international customers at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International airports. The Skytrax World Airline Awards have recognized the Air Canada Signature Suite as offering the World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining experience.

Porter Airlines was named Best Regional Airline in North America for 2024. Porter was ranked the eighth best regional airline in the world, while WestJet was 11th.

Porter also finished fourth in the Most Improved Airline category and came 57th in the world overall. That's up substantially from 99th in the world rankings last year.

“Porter has redefined air travel for 17 years. As our network quickly expands across North America, we are offering economy travellers an overall experience they will not find with any other carrier, like free beer and wine served in glassware, a selection of free premium snacks, high-quality fresh meal options, plus free streaming WiFi for all passengers,” said Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines.

Air Transat was named World's Best Leisure Airline for the sixth time. Transat also was name fifth best airline in North America and came 59th in the Skytrax world rankings.

“To be recognized again with this award is incredibly gratifying,” said Miguel Teixeira, Vice President, In-Flight Services & Customer Experience. “It reflects our commitment to providing our passengers with an outstanding travel experience and it speaks to the amazing enhancements we have recently made to our inflight product and service levels."

WestJet was awarded seventh spot in North America and 64th in the world.

Delta Air Lines was named the world’s 21st best airline in the Skytrax rankings for 2024. United Airlines came in at number 42, while jetBlue was 65th, American Airlines 78th, Allegiant Air 82nd, Southwest Airlines 93rd, and Hawaiian Airlines 99th.

NORTH AMERICAN TOP TEN

Here are the Skytrax rankings for best North American Airlines 2024:

  1. Delta Air Lines
  2. Air Canada
  3. United Airlines
  4. Porter Airlines
  5. Air Transat
  6. Alaska Airlines
  7. WestJet
  8. jetBlue Airways
  9. American Airlines
  10. Allegiant Air

WORLD TOP TEN

And here are the Skytrax top 10 world airlines for 2024:

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Emirates
  4. ANA All Nippon Airways
  5. Cathay Pacific Airways
  6. Japan Airlines
  7. Turkish Airlines
  8. EVA Air
  9. Air France
  10. Swiss International Air Lines

Jim Byers

Contributor

Jim Byers is a freelance travel writer based in Toronto. He was formerly travel editor at the Toronto Star and now writes for a variety of publications in Canada and around the world. He's also a regular guest on CBC, CTV News, Global News and other television and radio networks.

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