THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
At the Skytrax World Airline Awards gala in Paris on 17 June 2025, Qatar Airways was crowned the World’s Best Airline for a record-tying ninth time, consolidating its dominant position with additional honours for Best Business Class, Best Business Class Lounge (Al Mourjan Garden) and Best Airline in the Middle East.
Singapore Airlines, a five-time winner of the coveted Airline of the Year title, secured the No. 2 spot in the 2025 global rankings. Cathay Pacific Airways climbed to third place, while Emirates landed at No. 4. Japan’s ANA All Nippon Airways rounded out the top five. The rankings were based on a survey that evaluated over 325 airlines worldwide.
The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2025
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Korean Air
- Air France
- Japan Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Swiss Int’l Air Lines
- EVA Air
- British Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Virgin Atlantic
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- STARLUX Airlines
- Air Canada
- Iberia
Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe, as well as winning the award for World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering and as the Best Airline in Southern Europe.
Air France was a multiple winner as the Best Airline in Western Europe, the World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities and its Paris CDG Terminal 2 Lounge winning the World’s Best First Class Lounge Dining award.
Star Alliance collected the award as the World’s Best Airline Alliance and also won the Best Airline Alliance Lounge award for its Paris CDG Airport Lounge at Terminal 1.
In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines extended its dominance, claiming the Best Airline in Africa title for the seventh consecutive year. It also captured regional awards for Best Economy Class, Best Business Class, and Best Business Class Onboard Catering. As one of Africa’s largest carriers—with a fleet of 133 aircraft and ambitious expansion plans under Vision 2035—it remains a continental leader.
Air Mauritius, RwandAir, South African Airways, EgyptAir, Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, FlySafair, LIFT, and Fastjet rounded out the top ten African airlines in the regional Skytrax rankings.
Among Africa’s carriers featured in the global Top 100, Ethiopian Airlines soared highest at #38, followed by Air Mauritius (#63), RwandAir (#64), South African Airways (#67), EgyptAir (#68), Royal Air Maroc (#70), and Kenya Airways at #89.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted praised sustained quality across returning winners, emphasising passengers’ appreciation for consistent excellence.
This year’s awards reassure African customers of growing regional connectivity and rising travel comfort. With Ethiopian leading the charge, these developments imply better flight choices, competitive fares, and improved inflight services across Africa.
African aviation is on the move—and while global carriers continue to dominate, our homegrown airlines are closing the distance, one award at a time.
