Qatar Airways, the flag-carrier of Qatar, has been celebrating its success at the World Travel Awards this year, having been recognised on a regional and now global level.

But the titles scooped in Madeira in November are just the latest in a series of triumphs for the carrier over the past year.

Here Breaking Travel News explores each accolade in turn and reveals just what it is that separates Qatar Airways from its rivals.

Qatar Airways was recognised at a regional and global level this year by the World Travel Awards

First up, the World Travel Awards, where Qatar Airways was presented with three trophies during the Middle East Gala Ceremony earlier this year.

During an event hosted in Dubai in May the airline took trophies for Middle East’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class, Middle East’s Leading Airline – Business Class and Middle East’s Leading Airline.

On the global stage, Qatar Airways with honoured with four world titles during an event in Maderia.

Here, the airline walked away with the prizes for World’s Leading Airline, World’s Leading Airline – Business Class, World’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class and World’s Leading Airline to the Middle East.

Commenting on the global titles, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways is committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence and is proud of the recognition we have received at the World Travel Awards.

“These accolades reinforce our dedication to delivering nothing short of exceptional services to our passengers at each touchpoint.”

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, unveils the new business class offering earlier this year

When it comes to the business class offering, so warmly recognised by voters at the World Travel Awards, things are set to get even better.

During the Farnborough Air Show earlier this year, the carrier unveiled plans for a game-changing Qsuite Next Gen.

The product to facilitate a mindful work-life balance with its revolutionary attributes for all professionals, friends and families.

The redesigned Quad Suite is now equipped with movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens – a first for any airline in the world.

The screens can be repositioned to the side to create the largest social and productivity space in the sky for up to four passengers in the Quad Suite, and up to two passengers in the Companion Suite.

Rest and relaxation on-board the Quad Suite has also been enhanced with increased space for dining together – a hallmark of Qatari heritage, as well added privacy with taller, digitally controlled dividers.

With larger lie-flat and double beds, the new Quad Suite will also offer the 5-star Qatar Airways turn-down service with a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ feature.

The new Companion Suite has similar characteristics to the Quad Suite, now with the noteworthy revamp of offering the same shared space in window aisles.

Adopting new technologies for increased passenger convenience and connectivity, the Qsuite Next Gen delivers a vast array of customisation options, ranging from ambient lighting to privacy controls, through its upgraded touchscreen Passenger Control Units.

Mohammed Al-Meer added: “Qatar Airways has once again raised the bar for its award-winning product, the Qsuite.”

Qatar Airways chief commercial officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways is proud to have received the World’s Best MICE Airline and Middle East’s Best MICE Airline 2024 awards for the second year in a row.

“This recognition serves as a testament to our efforts in advancing the global MICE industry through our one-stop digital travel solution, QMICE, which offers exclusive fares, significant travel flexibility and exclusive benefits for MICE professionals.

Antinori continued: “QMICE, along with our award-winning service as well as business class Qsuite and the highly-anticipated Qsuite Next Gen, ensures that we always offer our customers a stylish and convenient travel experience to over 170 destinations – both on-board and through our five-star award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport, which supports Doha as a leading venue for MICE.”

Qatar Airways is celebrating an unprecedented run of success at SKYTRAX

Elsewhere, Qatar Airways saw success at SKYTRAX - World Airline Awards, taking the title of Airline of the Year for an unprecedented eighth time.

The five-star carrier also received three other prestigious awards: World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, and Best Airline in the Middle East.

Qatar Airways thus becomes the first aviation group to win Best Airline, Best Airport and Best Airport Shopping, in the same year in SKYTRAX history

Commenting on this achievement, Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “This is a proud moment for Qatar Airways.

“I am honoured to share this award with my dedicated team.

“This award is a testimony to our relentless commitment to providing unparalleled service and innovation.

“We look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest level of excellence.”

SKYTRAX pointed to Qatar Airways’ trendsetting and an on-board product which focuses on comfort, fine cuisine, the latest in-flight audio and video entertainment, award-winning service and a modern aircraft fleet averaging around five years of age.

Qatar Airways serves more than 150 key business and leisure destinations worldwide, with a fleet of over 200 aircraft, organisers added.

Skytrax chief executive, Edward Plaisted, remarked: “Qatar Airways’ impressive achievement of winning the Airline of the Year title for the eighth time, alongside three additional top accolades, is a true testament to the airline’s high standards and dedication.

“Qatar Airways was and will continue to be customers’ favourite airline.”

Thierry Antinori, chief commercial officer with Qatar Airways, has been instrumental to its success

Staying with the business market, as Qatar Airways was honoured at the World MICE Awards – taking the titles of World’s Best MICE Airline and Middle East’s Best MICE Airline this year.

The results follow a year-long search for the leading MICE brands in the world, with votes cast by MICE industry professionals and the public.

Babar Rahman, Senior Vice President Global Marketing and Corporate Communications with Qatar Airways Group, has led awards success for the carrier

Elsewhere, the carrier took both World’s Best Airline Website and Middle East’s Leading Airline Website at the World Travel Tech Awards.

The titles are recognition that Qatar Airways has long been at the forefront of technological innovation.

A great example is the Generative AI platform for in-depth travel planning, illustrating that Qatar Airways is forever revolutionising travel.

Business Traveller magazine honoured Qatar Airways in London

Just last month, Qatar Airways was honoured with four awards at the Business Traveller Awards in London.

During an event hosted by TV presenter Ben Thompson, the flag-carrier was recognised with Best Long-Haul Carrier, Best Business Class, Best Middle Eastern Airline and Best Inflight Food & Beverage.

The latter was testament to the work Qatar Airways puts into the culinary offering, with the carrier unveiling further enhancements to its business class service earlier this year with the introduction of caviar service on its menu offering.

Starting with 13 routes, caviar lovers can experience the luxurious service onboard Qatar Airways business class between Doha and Boston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Paris, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Washington.

Qatar Airways’ award-winning business class service also features extensive food and beverage options, as well as on-demand dining where passengers can dine at their preferred mealtime.

The new caviar service can be enjoyed as a standalone option or part of the onboard meal courses.

At the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards, meanwhile, Qatar Airways was noted as having the comfiest seats, while coming third in the overall classification.

More Information

Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.

Find out more on the official website.