Monday 26 September 2022 12:26 AM Shock as Qantas is named as one of the best airlines in the WORLD trends now
Qantas has been named as one of the world's best airlines despite battling delays, cancellations, worker shortages and repeated calls for its CEO to step down.
The airline was announced the world's fifth-best airline in the World Airline Awards hosted at the Langham Hotel in London on Friday night.
The award comes amid controversy over the airline's handling of customer service issues and a decision to stop offering meat-free meal options on domestic flights.
Qantas has also copped criticism for the quality of its airport lounge, with customers taking to social media to slam the premium area as dirty, overpriced and a 'rip-off'.
The carrier was also named the best catering in premium economy class and won four awards for the Asia-Pacific region, including best airline, best business class, best economy class and best cabin cleanliness.
Qantas has been named as one of the best airlines in the world despite battling delays, cancellations, worker shortages and repeated calls for its CEO to step down
Australia's flagship airline was announced the world's fifth-best airline in the World Airline Awards hosted at the Langham Hotel in London on Friday night
The awards are based on customer satisfaction surveys conducted by company SkyTrax, an airline and airport review and ranking site.
Travellers from 100 countries participated in the survey, which featured 350 airlines, with Qatar Airways named the best airline in 2022 for a record seventh time.
Virgin Australia dropped from 34th place to 43rd this year, while Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, dropped one spot from 56th to 57th.
Qantas' place in the world's top five airlines comes following several significant hits to the national carrier's reputation, which currently sits at an all-time low.
Customers' plans have been constantly interrupted by Qantas and Jetstar cancellations, flight delays, lost and damaged luggage, refund nightmares, and some have even been stranded at airports.
Travellers have taken to social media to air their complaints, with one passenger posting a photo of their seat with food crumbs and dirt underneath it.
'Qantas cleanliness has really fallen off the cliff. Or has it always been like this?,' the poster said in a note with the photo in the Sydney sub Reddit.
Flyers generally agreed Qantas planes are messier than they once were - although others said people expect too much on such a busy route.
'Cleanliness has declined!' a woman replied.
'I used to fly only Qantas and quite regularly. But my last flight I found a half eaten sandwich and muffin in the seat.
'And the seats were
