Qatar Airways among top three

The honour was among several awards that the airline collected at a ceremony in Hamburg, Germany. Qatar Airways also claimed the World's Best Business Class award in one of the most hotly contested categories. The airline's Business Class catering was recognised separately as the best in the world.

The Doha-based carrier earned the title Best Airline in the Middle East for a fifth consecutive year and also became the first airline to receive the Staff Service Excellence Award for the Middle East. The new award replaces the Best Cabin Staff in the Middle East category, which Qatar Airways has won for the past seven years. The expanded category now includes airline staff at all passenger touch points, including onboard, reservations, check-in and airport personnel.

Fantastic recognition

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the awards were fantastic recognition for the continued dedication of the airline's staff to deliver the best service levels in the industry consistently.

"To be considered among the top three airlines in the world is a huge achievement for Qatar Airways and takes us one step closer to our collective goal of being recognised at the best airline in the world. Clearly, we are heading in the right direction," he said.

Almost 18 million air travellers from over 100 different nationalities took part in the 10-month-long survey, between July 2009 and April 2010. The awards are recognised around the world for being the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards.

Next month, Qatar Airways launches non-stop flights from Doha to Barcelona on 7 June and enters the South American market for the first time on 24 June with non-stop daily services between the Qatari capital and Sao Paulo in Brazil and the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires.