World's best airline for 2017 named in annual Skytrax World Airline Awards

The World Airline Awards by Skytrax dubbed the 'Oscars of the aviation industry' has named Qatar Airways the world's best airline for 2017 in Paris this week. The airline took the title from fellow Middle-Eastern carrier Emirates, who dropped from first to fourth place this year.

Qantas, meanwhile, dropped out of the top 10 for the third time in the awards' history, down to 15th place - it's lowest ranking ever - and dropping behind Virgin Australia (13th) for the first time. The airline ranked 9th in 2016. Qantas peaked in the rankings in 2008, when it was named the world's third-best carrier.

Qantas did not come away empty handed though, receiving the awards for Best Premium Economy Class and for Best Premium Economy Seat. Virgin Australia won awards in the Australia-Pacific region for Best Airline and Best Airline staff.

As usual, Asian and Middle Eastern airlines dominated the top 10. Singapore Airlines moved up one slot to second place, followed by Japan's ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Taiwan's EVA Air, Lufthansa, Etihad, China's Hainan and Indonesia's Garuda. See below for the full rankings.

Qatar Airways took out the top position for Airline of the Year for the fourth time, having previously won in 2011, 2012 and 2015.

Earlier this year Qatar unveiled its new QSuite business class seats, the first seats in business class that can be converted into a double bed for two passengers. (Take a look at the video above).

The World Airline Awards by consultancy Skytrax survey millions of passengers each year to come up with the rankings. Skytrax says the awards are the world's largest airline passenger satisfaction survey and the process is transparent and independent.