The APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony is hosted by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) and the IFSA (International Flight Services Association), and is one of the industry’s biggest annual awards.
Awards categories included those concerning key success metrics (2024 World Class), passenger feedback (Five and Four Star), and passenger experience (Best In Airline). Elsewhere in the proceedings, The APEX/IFSA Awards focused on celebrating the successful implementation of new, innovative solutions in IFC, cabin design, IFE, and others.
World class
Eight airlines were awarded World Class honors: Emirates, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, SAUDIA, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines, the metrics for which include mastery of the guest experience, safety, and health control.
Full details, including data breakdowns on the key metrics used when deliberating, are all available to view here.
Awards overview
The APEX Five Star and Four Star Airline Awards remain the only industry honor based entirely on passenger feedback, and with 53 winners across six categories. APEX says this year’s contestants faced more thorough adjuration than in years past. This re-worked set of standards included extensive professional flight audits.
APEX Best In Airline Awards saw EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and Delta Air Lines winning for cabin service, entertainment, food and beverage, seat comfort, and wi-fi respectively.
Finally, innovation awards spanning connectivity, IFEC, cabins, concessions and amenities were awarded, in order, to Delta Air Lines, Flight Path 3D, Delta Flight. Products, SriLankan Airlines, and Emirates.
Lifetime achievement
Recognitions and honors at the APEX/IFSA Awards also included a lifetime achievement award to H.E. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group’s CEO. Baker also accepted the Best in Entertainment Award in the Middle East on behalf of Qatar Airways.
APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader commended Baker as a ‘driving force behind Qatar Airways’ meteoric rise from its inception to a global aviation titan,” Baker also became only the sixth winner of the award in 50 years.