Skytrax unveiled its World Airline Awards at the Farnborough Air Show in Britain in perhaps no surprise the best airlines in the world are based in Asia or the Middle East with the overall best airline in the world being Qatar Airways. According to the survey by Skytrax, the best airlines in the world, in order, are Qatar Airways, Asiana Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines

The awards are the primary benchmarking tool for passenger satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world across all cabin travel types (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy class passengers).

Air travelers were surveyed by telephone, questionnaires and online about their experiences with airlines on the ground and in the air during a 10-month period. The survey measured passenger satisfaction across more than 38 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service, including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service. The Survey covered over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.

Other Awards: Most Improved Airline: China Eastern Airlines; Best Inflight Entertainment: Emirates; Best Cabin Staff: Malaysia Airlines; Best Airline Alliance: Star Alliance: Best Airline Ground Services: Thai Airways International; Best Airline Transatlantic: Best Transpacific Airline: ANA All Nippon Airways.

Staff Service Excellence Awards: Africa: South African Airways; Asia: Eva Air; Australia/Pacific: Virgin Australia; China: Hainan Airlines; Central Asia/India: Indigo Airlines; Europe: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines; Middle East: Qatar Airways; Central America/Caribbean: TACA Airlines; South America: TAM Airlines.

Best by Cabin Category: Best First Class: Etihad Airways; Best Business Class: Cathay Pacific Airways; Best Premium Economy Class: Qantas Airways; Best Economy Class: Singapore Airlines; Best First Class Lounge: Qantas Airways Sydney Airport; Best First Class Onboard Catering: Etihad Airways; Best Business Class Onboard Catering: SWISS International Air Lines; Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering: Qantas Airways; Best First Class Seat: Eithad Airways; Best Business Class Airline Seat: Oman Air; Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat: Turkish Airlines; Best Economy Class Airline Seat: Asiana Airlines.

Best by Region: Africa: South African Airways; Asia: Asiana Airlines; Australia/Pacific: Virgin Australia; China: Hainan Airlines; Central Asia/India: Air Astana; Europe: Turkish Airlines; Middle East: Qatar Airways; North America-International Airline: Air Canada; North America-Domestic: Virgin America; South America: TAM Airlines; Europe-South: Turkish Airlines; Europe-North: Finnair; Europe-West: Lufthansa; Europe-East: Transaero Airlines.

Best Low-Cost Airlines: World's Best Low-Cost Airline: AirAsia; Best in Asia: AirAsia; Best in Australia/Pacific: Jetstar Airways; Best in Europe: EasyJet; Best in Central Asia/India: Indigo; Best in North America: Virgin America; Best in South America: Azul Airlines.