Virgin tops Qantas in annual airline awards

Virgin Australia has been named the region's top airline.

Virgin Australia has been named the top airline in the Asia-Pacific region and the world’s third most improved carrier at the 2012 World Airline Awards. Jetstar, meanwhile, took home honours as the best budget carrier in the region and the world’s third best LCC.

The awards, presented by Skytrax, were based on more than 18 million customer surveys.

Qantas was ranked as the region’s second-best carrier and the world’s 15^th best airline, down seven places from last year. Virgin Australia was ranked 12^th best globally, up 20 places from a year ago.

Qatar Airways was ranked the world’s top carrier for the second straight year, followed by Asiana, Singapore, Cathay Pacific and ANA All Nippon Airways. AirAsia was named top budget carrier while China Eastern was the most improved.

Full results are available here.