Qatar Airways is no doubt a world class airline, in terms of the passenger experience it offers. There's also nothing the airline loves more than reminding consumers of how great it is, and how many awards it has won, primarily from Skytrax. Along those lines, it looks like the airline is now reversing course, and suddenly wants nothing to do with Skytrax... or something.
Every single institution on Earth is corrupt
Oof. Corruption is bad, but writing off literally everything as corrupt is a cop-out. It ignores the well-run institutions and makes it impossible to actually fix the broken ones. Let's not go full-nihilism.
Skytrax awarded CDG the title of Europe's best airport. I think that says enough.
The problem with paying Skytrax to get a good rating, is that others can easily pay more to get an even better rating.
If you aren't directly affected by the disruptions in the Middle East this year, and if Qatar Airways doesn't swap your aircraft last-minute, long-haul Q-Suite is still one of the world's best hard (and soft) products around. (Sure, I may think ANA's "The Room" is slightly better, but QR is way up there, and flies to more places.) So, maybe, it's time for NH, JL, SQ, or CX to take the lead for a year. (Wait, what if JX takes it? @Samar?!)
SQ biz. seats suck out loud unless one is three feet tall, or is > 6' but doesn't have legs.
To me, it's the angle that's off. (And the manual 'all-or-nothing' approach to lie-flat with SQ in J like on their a359ULR.) I may even prefer their regular lie-flat on their 787. Even their 737max has the 'throne' seats. Wish more carriers would adopt those for medium-haul, single-aisle.
Well they had to have beef.
You can't expect Qataris to have pork right?
Since Ben can't say anything about Skytrax. Let's bring AeroB13a to praise Skytrax as if it was Tim Dunn himself and Delta.
And Ben missed 1 point about LH 5 star ratings. Not only was it based on a seat that didn't exist. The 777X hasn't even been delivered to anyone after a decade later.
I thought they had 'the lasagna'?
(Where's Aero been? Was that one of your characters?)
Goodhart's law: "When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure"
In the modern age it seems too easy to game all of these ratings, regardless of how well meaning they are. (Not saying that Slytrax is well meaning in any way, just that it almost doesn't matter)
I will say, in 2023, Singapore Airlines was awarded the best airline and Qatar did not withdraw or boycott (at least I don’t think so). Maybe it has to do with tension in the Middle East? After all, Hamad Airport (which is almost certainly affiliated directly with Qatar Airways) completely withdrew from the world airport awards, with the airport not even appearing at all in the top 100 list (of course Changi claimed the top spot). Maybe Skytrax is starting to die down? I noticed this year that Changi Airport did absolutely no marketing for its best airport award. They never even talked about it despite winning it this year. Maybe people are starting to come to the conclusion that Skytrax is not trustworthy, but who knows.
You ever seen me as a BA apologist?
"You ever seen me as a BA apologist?"
No, just an automation-obsessed spectrum dweller with some serious unaddressed anger issues.
No judgment.
Eskimo, you could use a vacation. Please enjoy my review of the new MLE terminal ( https://onemileatatime.com/community-stories/male-velana-airport-new-terminal-1-international-arrivals/) Get yourself an overwater bungalow or something...
It looks like the war in ME is having a serious effect at Qatar Airway. We Flew back to US via Qatar Airways (Q-Suites)from Doha and was very surprised to see Al Mourjan Business Lounge pretty empty at 0600.The menu offerings were not quite the same as they have been in the months before the war.The Flight itself was Full, But the Galley Offerings were very limited even those were cleared up By the Indian passengers as soon as they were put out. It seems like the water Bottle has also become a serious issue on the Flights, It maybe due to the water to Iranian strikes on the water Desalination Plants.
Hotels have closed Off Floors due to very low occupancy (Summer of 112 Degrees every day may have contributed to that also).
Let's Hope things improve,we really love QA & Qatar itself!
I am still surprised how comfortable Egypt Air 787 Dreamliner J seats were.
"But the Galley Offerings were very limited even those were cleared up By the Indian passengers as soon as they were put out"
This comment deserves 2 Yowzers!
Who DOESN’T QR have beef with? They love throwing their weight around because it truly is a softpower exercise first, airline second, profit-producing enterprise dead dead last.
"I have to be careful with what I say about Skytrax, because they like to threaten the media when they suggest that there may be a lack of legitimacy or a conflict of interest to their rankings."
What will they do? WHINE you to death?
Or are you talking fat orange Nazi-like frivolous lawsuits? Many say they are utterly corrupt (Hi FIFA!) and engage in pay-to-play in their ratings? Most people already assume that.
They suck.
When Ben was being hassled by Virgin Atlantic a while back, I suggested that he have his lawyers write them a "blow it out your ass" letter. Seems to me that Skytrax is deserving of similar correspondence. Let them threaten, then respond with aggressive sarcasm on an attorney's letterhead.
Well said!
"There's a sucker born every minute." – P. T. Barnum. Certainly much more often than that nowadays - thank you, Internet, for that!
More like "There's a sucker born every nanosecond, and their intelligence and critical thinking skills get worse with every passing minute."
Unless your a moron you would be advised to not fully believe any award or ranking. Take food for instance half the words and labeling is fake. Industries that the vendor pays for for certification. Ponder that they get paid to award you or label you. Skytrax is probably no different.
I don't know about other alleged Christians, but for us Catholics, baptism is more like having an airline credit card that allows you club access. So baptism gets you, say, United Club and sainthood gives you Lifetime Polaris.
For those of you giving me a Yowzers, please look up extra ecclesium nulla salis. It's still official Catholic doctrine.
Isn't it more like someone from 2000 years ago says you'll get lifetime Global Airlines gamer class access just by having their credit card.
It's easier than ever. Even the distinct lack of contemporary miracles; which are much more difficult to claim these days since everyone started carrying a 4K video camera in their pocket; doesn't deter the church from trying it on. Recent case in point - Carlo Acutis.
I did.
It was a good review. Looking forward for more of your trips.
About the overwater bungalow. Maybe you should do a Kickstarter for me and fly me there on EY Residence. 😉
Thank you. Ooh lala, the Residence is well beyond my pay-grade. Best I can do is business class on points, then attempt a points upgrade to First (which I've only pulled off twice with EK, never EY).
Probably they'll give QR's 5 star spot to AA! (Lol)
Maybe the JD Power ranking was cheaper this year?
Who needs to pay JD Power when you can pay Tom Brady?
When will Skytrax get into the “Peace Prize” business? I hear there’s a lot of money to be made there.
Fantastic FIFA comment ;)))))))))
I'm just disappointed that the Nobel Prize Committee didn't announce their World Cup MVP.
Can’t wait to see who pays—sorry “wins”—for 2026
Simple.
Skytrax Wants more money.
Qatar Airways CEO doesn’t want to pay.
agree 100%
…. would be a WASTE of investment in marketing!
See how fast it goes from good to being dropped, Lufthansa the best example!
Hyped (for nothing or NON existing product) but years later NOTHING delivered as what they paid for on a false rating (for the future!) ha ha ha
Skytrax, simply unreliable in terms of experience, …. sort of telling a company, „give me a text i should publish, and transfer the negotiated amount, all will be published accordingly“ UNRELIABLE, outdated, for dumb „believers“.