Skytrax’ 2017 World Airline Awards, which awards the crème de la crème of the airline industry, were announced earlier today, and there weren’t too many surprises for the top categories.

Qatar Airways, which is struggling to operate efficiently after neighbouring countries severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, as well as dealing with the U.S. electronics ban, took home the top prize - World’s Best Airline - having narrowly lost the title last year to Middle East rival, Emirates. This is the third time in six years that Qatar has taken the top prize.

Emirates, which was named the World’s Best Airline last year, as well as in 2012, dropped to fourth place in this year’s ranking. The top 10 carriers are comprised mainly of Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, with Lufthansa, in the 7th spot, the only standout. No North American airlines made the top 10 or even the top 25 rankings.

And although they didn’t take home the award for Best Airline, Singapore Airlines is slowly creeping up, hovering near the top spot for the past few years. The carrier did, however, claim the top spot for Best Airline in Asia, the World’s Best Business Class seat, and for having the Best Premium Economy Onboard Catering.

SilkAir from Malaysia, was once again named World’s Best Low-Cost Airline as well as Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia.

As for Canadian carriers, Air Canada was awarded Best Airline in North America, and finished 29 (up from #31 2016) in the overall Top 100 Airlines in the World rankings, followed by Porter Airlines in 55th place (down from #47 in 2016), WestJet in 58th place (down from #50 in 2016), Air Transat in 70th place (up from #88 in 2016), and Air Canada rouge in 99th place (rouge was not included in the 2016 rankings). Air Canada ranked #2 for Best Airlines Staff in North America, while AC’s alliance, Star Alliance, was named Best Airline Alliance.

Air Transat ranked #2 in the World’s Best Leisure Airline category and has claimed the title of Best North American Leisure Airline for the sixth time by default, since the winner of the Best Leisure Airline category, Thomson Airways is based in the U.K. Air Transat also ranked #9 in the Best Airlines in North America category.

Air Canada rouge was named several times in the low-cost categories, ranking #19 in the World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines category, #5 in the World’s Best “Long Haul” Low Cost Airlines category, #5 in the Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat category, #6 in the Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin category, and #5 in the Best Low-Cost Airlines in North America category.

WestJet, meanwhile, ranked #11 in the World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines category, #8 in the Best Airlines in North America category, and #4 in the Best Low-Cost Airlines in North America category.

Porter Airlines ranked #7 in the Best Airlines in North America category, #7 in the World’s Best Regional Airlines category, and #2 in the World’s Best Regional Airlines : North America category.

Lastly, the Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver was ranked #7 in the World's Best Independent Airport Lounges category, alongside other Plaza Premium Lounges in London Heathrow, Hong Kong and Brisbane.

For a complete list of all winners, visit the World Travel Awards website.

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