SAA slips down the ranks of international airlines

South African Airways may have had its international reputation dented after it slipped several spots in the rankings of international airlines.

Middle East airlines dominated the top spots as Skytrax announced the world's Top 100 Airlines in 2016 at the World Airline Awards held at Farnborough Airshow in England on Tuesday.

Dubbed the 'Oscars' of international airlines ratings, the awards run the gamut from 73 categories from best economy class onboard catering to best airline staff to best seats to best cabin cleanliness. Travellers from across the globe take part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.

Emirates, based in Dubai, moved up from fifth position in 2015 to unseat Qatar Airways for the number one spot.

SAA was ranked 41, dropping seven places from 34th in 2015. However there is some good news, as it retained its Best Airline in Africa title.

“We are very pleased to have won the Skytrax Award as Best Airline in Africa, for the fourteenth consecutive year, which demonstrates that SAA can rightfully take its place as one of the leading airlines in the world, despite the challenges (it) faces. Awards are important in building staff morale as they instil a sense of pride from our customers and employees alike,” said Musa Zwane, SAA Acting CEO.

Kulula meanwhile saw itself jump six positions from 99th in 2015 to 93rd this year, while also taking home the prize for Best Low Cost Airline in Africa.

These are the Top 10 airlines

1   Emirates

2   Qatar Airways

3   Singapore Airlines

4   Cathay Pacific

5   ANA All Nippon Airways

6   Etihad Airways

7   Turkish Airlines

8   EVA Air

9   Qantas Airways

10 Lufthansa

Best Airlines in Africa

1 South African Airways

2 Air Seychelles

3 Air Mauritius

4 Ethiopian Airlines

5 Kenya Airways

6 TAAG Angola Airlines

7 Kulula

8 Mango

9 Royal Air Maroc

10 Air Austral