Turkish Airlines named best airline in southern Europe for 9th year in a row

Turkish Airlines has been named the best airline in southern Europe for the ninth consecutive year in the 2017 Skytrax World Airlines Awards. 

The national carrier also picked up three other awards this year including the "Best Business Class Onboard Catering," "World's Best Business Class Lounge" for its worldwide known Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul and "Best Business Class Dining Lounge" in the Skytrax award ceremony held in Paris on June 20.

Turkish Airlines, however, lost its best airline in Europe title to Lufthansa after keeping it for six years. 

The awards were presented to Turkish Airlines' board and executive committee chairman, İlker Aycı, by the CEO of Skytrax, Edward Plaisted, a follow-up press release said. 

As the most respected global airline passenger survey organization in the industry, Skytrax evaluates traveler experiences across different airports with service and product key performance indicators. And following this evaluation process it awards the most successful organizations with its World Airline Awards described as "the Oscars of the aviation industry."

Qatar Airways was named "Airline of the Year" by Skytrax this year. 

Dozens of other Skytrax awards were also announced, including one for Air Canada, which took the award for "Best Airline in North America."

While the "World's Best First Class" award went to Etihad Airways, Thai Airways won the "World's Best Economy Class" award.