Le Bourget , France ( CNN ) -- Emirates has been voted the world 's best airline by passengers at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards . The awards -- decided by 18.2 million passengers in 160 countries around the world -- judge airlines on everything from the cleanliness of the cabin to the quality of the in-flight food and entertainment . Dubai-based Emirates took the debut prize in 2001 , and retained it in 2002 , before missing out on the top spot for a decade . Now they 're back to make it a hat-trick -- and the company 's president , Tim Clark , puts their return to award-winning form down to one thing , `` exteremely hard work . '' `` We 've got 200 aircraft , 18,000 cabin crew and ground staff , '' he explained , admitting that with 200 aircraft and 18,000 cabin crew and ground staff the company 's operations were `` not easy , but you work hard at what you 're doing , you deliver to people 's expectations , and hopefully exceed those expectations . '' Emirates was also named best airline in the Middle East , and won a third award for its in-flight entertainment system . Cathay Pacific 's cabin crew were crowned the world 's best , while Air Asia took the prize for best low-cost airline . Japan 's ANA won a new award for cabin cleanliness , as well as receiving a five-star airline rating . John Slosar , CEO of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific said the win was recognition for the company 's `` fabulous team . '' `` We work very hard to make sure it 's all about the team , not about individuals . We teach our crew not to just follow the rules , but to express themselves through their work , to offer service straight from the heart . '' Test your knowledge of airline liveries . Presenting the awards , CNN 's Richard Quest said consistency was key to the success of those crowned the best in the world . `` It 's all about the ability to deliver a product every time -- every flight , for every passenger in every class . '' The Skytrax World Airline Awards were established in 1999 ; they are compiled from the world 's largest airline passenger satisfaction survey -- responses to questionnaires in English , Spanish , Chinese and Russian . New Airbus makes first flight .
Emirates named airline of the year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards . Awards were voted on by 18.2 million people from 160 countries around the world . Asia Pacific budget airline named world 's best , and Asia top budget airline .