Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ) has been crowned Africa’s leading airline for the fifth time.

The award went to its economy class service and inflight magazine (msafiri) at the world travel awards 2023.

The airline was feted at the Africa and Indian Ocean world travel awards gala held on October 15 in Dubai.

Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways group chief executive officer and MD said the award was recognition of listening to their clients.

“It is about listening to the customers and understanding their needs. Our goal is to be the preferred Africa carrier and we are constantly innovating to improve our guest's customer experience,” said Kilavuka.

KQ renovated the economy class inflight service in 2023.

This included a rollout of tray service in economy class to replace the existing box service and an extra hot meal starter and yogurt for breakfast on specific mid to long-haul flights across the network.

Its inflight magazine has been named Africa's leading inflight magazine for 2022 and 2023 since its reintroduction as physical copy after a two-year break occasioned by the Covid 19 pandemic.

For more than 20 years, msafiri has been part of the inflight entertainment offerings to KQ travellers.

This year the World Travel Awards (WTA) commemorates its 30th anniversary of rewarding travel excellence.

“Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark,” said Graham Cooke the WTA founder.