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Skytrax Names Qatar Airways as 2025 Cleanest Airline Worldwide

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 13:21 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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Skytrax Names the World’s Cleanest Airline for 2025: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Clean Air Rankings

In a climate of ever‑heightening expectations around passenger safety and hygiene, the 2025 “Cleanest Airline in the World” list published by the independent rating agency Skytrax has drawn fresh attention to the ways airlines are re‑imagining their cleaning protocols. The new ranking, announced by Travel + Leisure on May 9, 2025, showcases a diverse group of carriers that have successfully integrated rigorous sanitation measures with advanced air‑filtration technologies, thereby setting a new benchmark for comfort and cleanliness on the global stage.

What Skytrax Is Trying to Measure

Skytrax, the same organization that powers the world’s most recognizable airline ratings and awards, has expanded its methodology in 2025 to reflect the realities of post‑pandemic travel. While its historic “Cleanest Airline” lists were largely derived from passenger reviews and general observations of in‑flight hygiene, the latest iteration blends several new variables:

1. Passenger‑reported Cleanliness – Aggregated data from millions of reviews on the Skytrax website and other partner sites (e.g., Skytrax Reviews, TripAdvisor).
2. Air‑Cleaning Technology – Assessment of each airline’s use of HEPA filters, UV‑C sanitisation, and ozone‑free disinfectants.
3. Cabin Hygiene Protocols – Inspection of procedures from seat‑back tray cleaning to high‑touch surface disinfection.
4. Training and Certification – Verification that crew and maintenance staff undergo regular hygiene training and hold relevant certifications.
5. On‑Board Service Modifications – Consideration of changes such as contactless food service, disposable cabin items, and digital cabin maps.

By combining these data points, Skytrax aims to deliver a more objective and transparent ranking than was possible in the early 2020s, when many airlines’ cleaning protocols were still evolving.

The Top 10 Cleanest Airlines in 2025

Below is a quick look at the finalists, including their ranking positions and a few key highlights that set them apart:

While the list was dominated by major international carriers, several mid‑size airlines made the cut as well, underscoring the widespread industry commitment to hygiene.

What Makes Qatar Airways the Front‑Runner?

Qatar Airways clinched the top spot largely due to its meticulous attention to both technology and human factors. The airline’s fleet is equipped with a cutting‑edge HEPA filtration system that removes 99.97 % of airborne particles, and each cabin undergoes a full sanitisation cycle after every flight. In addition, Qatar Airways provides crew members with specialised training in “Clean‑Air” procedures and maintains a strict “no‑touch” policy for passengers’ tray tables and seat belts.

Qatar Airways’ CEO, Abdulla Al Nuaimi, is quoted in the article: “Safety and comfort go hand‑in‑hand. We are proud that our passengers feel safe and our crew feels empowered to maintain the highest standards of hygiene.” His comments underscore the airline’s strategic emphasis on both passenger confidence and operational excellence.

How Other Airlines Are Responding

Beyond the top 10, Skytrax’s methodology shines a spotlight on a number of “fast‑rising” carriers that have recently bolstered their cleaning protocols. For instance:

• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines adopted a “Clean Air” initiative that pairs UV‑C cleaning of cabin floors with a new digital cabin‑cleaning log, which is made publicly available on the airline’s website.
• Swiss International Air Lines introduced a “Swiss Clean” certification that mandates a full cleaning of all high‑touch surfaces between flights, as well as the use of a new antimicrobial coating on cabin trays.

Each of these airlines has cited the Skytrax rankings as a key driver in their decision to invest heavily in hygiene. “The rankings provide a benchmark that passengers increasingly expect,” says Maria Huber, an airline operations analyst at Swiss. “We’re not just responding to the pandemic; we’re redefining the standard for in‑flight cleanliness.”

What The Rankings Mean for Passengers

For travellers, the 2025 Skytrax Cleanest Airline list is more than a curiosity; it is a practical guide to choosing carriers that prioritise health and safety. The list highlights airlines that have integrated:

• Advanced filtration (HEPA, UV‑C, and ozone‑free disinfectants)
• Rigorous cleaning schedules (both pre‑ and post‑flight)
• Transparent reporting (publicly accessible cleanliness ratings)
• Crew training (ongoing hygiene protocols)

These features can help passengers feel more secure when booking long‑haul flights, especially those travelling across multiple time zones and continents.

The Bigger Picture: A New Standard for Airline Hygiene

The Skytrax rankings reflect a broader shift in the aviation industry. With passenger expectations rising, airlines are turning to data‑driven approaches to demonstrate their hygiene standards. In addition to the metrics covered by Skytrax, airlines are increasingly adopting digital solutions to track cleaning activities and share real‑time status updates with passengers.

From a regulatory perspective, the European Union’s EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have both increased their oversight of sanitation practices. In 2025, EASA announced that its forthcoming EASA Hygiene Directive would require airlines to demonstrate compliance with a minimum standard of cleanliness, including regular air‑filter replacement and disinfection of high‑touch surfaces.

In essence, the Skytrax Cleanest Airline list is no longer just a marketing tool; it has become a barometer of the industry’s commitment to passenger health. The ranking also serves as a form of industry benchmarking, encouraging airlines to innovate and differentiate themselves based on hygiene.

Final Thoughts

Skytrax’s 2025 “Cleanest Airline in the World” ranking is a comprehensive snapshot of how airlines are tackling cleanliness in an era of heightened health consciousness. By blending passenger feedback with rigorous technological assessment and operational transparency, Skytrax offers a clear signal to passengers about which carriers are leading the way. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a leisure traveler, or a business executive, the rankings provide a useful compass for navigating an industry that has, until recently, been in a state of rapid adaptation.

As the world continues to grapple with new pathogens and the need for safer travel environments, the significance of such rankings will only grow. Airlines that invest in cutting‑edge filtration systems, standardise cleaning protocols, and train their crews to uphold hygiene standards stand out—both on the runway and in the hearts of the millions of passengers who rely on them to get them safely from point A to point B.