World's best airline for 2016 named: Skytrax World Airline Awards

4. Cathay Pacific (Flight test: business class)

5. ANA All Nippon Airways (Flight test: premium economy)

6. Etihad Airways (Flight test: economy class)

7. Turkish Airlines (Flight test: economy class)

8. EVA Air

9. Qantas Airways (Flight test: premium economy)

10. Lufthansa (Flight test: economy class)

*according to the 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards

See also: For more flight tests see Traveller's airline review section

"Emirates has always put our customers at the heart of what we do, and we work hard to deliver the very best experience possible to our customers at every touchpoint, every day, all around the world," said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates.

Qantas said in a statement the airline had worked hard on improving its product, including new interiors for its A330 and B737, new lounges and plans for free wifi on domestic flights from early 2017.

In other awards, Qatar Airways took gongs for the world's best business class, best business class lounge and best airline staff in the Middle East, while Singapore was awarded the best airline in Asia and ANA All Nippon Airways was recognised for offering the world's best airport services and having the best airline staff in Asia for the second year in a row.

Other accolades included the world's best low-cost airline handed to Norwegian and the world's most improved airline won by Thai Airways.

Skytrax World Airline Awards: A-Z of winners

Aegean Airlines Best Regional Airline in Europe

Aeroflot Russian Airlines Best Airline in Eastern Europe

Air Astana Best Airline in Central Asia / India Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia / India

Air France Best First Class Airline Lounge DiningBest First Class Comfort Amenities

Air New Zealand World's Best Premium Economy Class Cabin World's Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat

AirAsia World's Best Low-Cost Airline Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia

AirAsia X World's Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin World's Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat

ANA All Nippon Airways World's Best Airport Services Best Airline Staff Service in Asia

Asiana Airlines World's Best Economy Class Best Economy Seat Best Economy Class Onboard Catering

Austrian Best Airline Staff Service in Europe Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras Best Low-Cost Airline in South America Best Airline Staff in South America

Bangkok Airways World's Best Regional Airline Best Regional Airline in Asia

Cathay Pacific Airways World's Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness Best First Class Airline Lounge

Copa Airlines Best Airline in Central America / Caribbean Best Regional Airline in Central America / Caribbean Best Airline Staff Service in Central America / Caribbean

Emirates World's Best Airline (Airline of the Year) World's Best Airline Inflight Entertainment

Ethiopian Airlines Best Airline Staff Service in Africa

Etihad Airways World's Best First Class Best First Class Seat Best First Class Onboard Catering

EVA Air Best Airline TranspacificBest Business Class Comfort Amenities

Finnair Best Airline in Northern Europe

flyDubai Best Low Cost Airline in the Middle East

Garuda Indonesia World's Best Cabin Crew

Hainan Airlines Best Airline in China Best Airline Staff Service in China

Hawaiian Airlines Best Airline Staff Service in North America

Indigo Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia / India

Jetstar Airways Best Low-Cost Airline in Australia / Pacific

Juneyao Airlines Best Regional Airline in China

Kulula Best Low Cost Airline in Africa

LAN Airlines Best Airline in South America

Lufthansa Best Airline in Western Europe Best Airline Transatlantic

NorwegianWorld's Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe

Plaza Premium World's Best Independent Airport Lounge

Porter Airlines Best Regional Airline in North America

Qantas Best Airline Australia in Pacific Best Airline Staff in Australia / Pacific Best Premium Economy Onboard Catering

Qatar Airways World's Best Business Class Best Business Class Airline Lounge Best Airline Staff in the Middle East

Royal Air Maroc Best Regional Airline in Africa

Singapore Airlines Best Airline in Asia Best Business Class Airline Seat

Sky Airline Best Regional Airline South America

South African Airways Best Airline in Africa

Spring Airlines Best Low-Cost Airline in China

Star AllianceWorld's Best Airline Alliance World's Best Airline Alliance Lounge

Thai Airways World's Most Improved AirlineBest Airline Lounge Spa Facility

Thomson Airways World's Best Leisure Airline

Turkish Airlines Best Airline in Europe Best Airline in Southern Europe Best Business Class Airline Catering Best Business Class Lounge Dining

Virgin America Best Airline in North America Best Low-Cost Airline in North America

Often referred to as the "Oscars of the aviation industry", the World Airline Awards this year welcomed entries from more airlines than ever before. The winners are then chosen based on what is said to be "the world's largest airline passenger satisfaction survey".

While the figures for this year's awards are yet to be released, last year's survey of 18.9 million passengers saw more than 245 airlines measured on 41 key performance standards, from the quality of check-in service and boarding procedures to cabin cleanliness and other indicators.

The Telegraph, London

See also: The perfect airline experience namedSee also: 20 secrets to enjoying an economy flight