For the second time in the survey history, Cathay Pacific has scooped the prestigious Airline of the Year title for 2005, in the latest World Airline Awards announced today by Skytrax Research of London.

The 2005 World Airline Awards are based on the annual Airline Survey conducted by Skytrax - carried out between June 2004 and May 2005. The survey measures over 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction for each airline's  product and service standards, evaluating the 'typical' travel experience. This independent survey is regarded as a primary benchmarking tool for Passenger Satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world.

Worldwide survey interviews totalled a massive 12,334,283 respondents - an increase of 1.5 million interviews on the 2004 result, with over 94 different passenger nationalities participating in the survey.


The World's Top 10 Airlines - 2005

1    Cathay Pacific
2    Qantas Airways
3    Emirates
4    Singapore Airlines
5    British Airways
6    Malaysia Airlines
7    Thai Airways
8    Qatar Airways
9    Asiana Airlines
10  ANA All Nippon Airways


Selected regional rankings listed below:

Cathay Pacific scooped the winners title as Airline of the Year 2005, having previously won the award in 2003. In second place is Qantas Airways (up from 4th last year), with Emirates in third position, maintaining their strong rankings in the survey.

Commenting on the results, Peter Miller of Skytrax .... "Cathay Pacific can be justly proud of this title as Best Airline, having received a very steady level of support and admiration from customers around the world throughout the survey period. As a service industry, the airline business is all about people, and  in that quarter Cathay Pacific was repeatedly singled out for the high quality and consistency of it's front-line staff - in both the airport environment and onboard flights. Allied to some very high onboard product standards, Cathay certainly seems to have achieved it's motto of 'service straight from the heart' and wowed passengers accordingly."

"It is important to note that this is the most representative survey of airline passengers across the globe" added Miller. "It encompasses all passenger types - be they business travellers, vacationers, backpackers and more. This ensures the survey truly reflects opinions from the majority, rather than a selective study which makes awards based upon a small number of business travellers only. Whilst every airline likes to fill up their First or Business class cabins with higher revenue passengers, much of an airline's reputation is dependent on the quality of product and service they supply to their Economy class customers."

As well as taking the Airline of the Year title, Cathay Pacific was also named airline with the Best Intercontinental First Class, following on from their earlier awards in 2005 for the Best First/Business class airport lounge facilities.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Philip Chen said: "It is a great honor to have Cathay Pacific voted the Skytrax 'Airline of the Year' because it is such a world-class award. I would like to thank every member of staff around the world whose professionalism and dedication to excellence made this great achievement possible. Being a repeat winner reflects our commitment to deliver consistently high standards of service across the board. It also underscores our ongoing effort to make Hong Kong more attractive to passengers as a global aviation hub and gateway to the Chinese mainland, and our determination to make Cathay Pacific the world's most admired airline."

Qantas Airways takes the 2005 Airline of the Year Silver Award for 2nd place, moving up from 4th position in 2004, with Emirates securing the Airline of the Year Bronze Award for 3rd place.

Across the different regions, Air Canada's ranking as Best Airline North America marks a resurgence of the airline from recent financial problems. "We are honoured to be acknowledged by travellers around the world as the best airline in North America," said Montie Brewer, president and CEO of Air Canada. "This award confirms that our focus on customer-driven products and innovation coupled with quality service delivery is truly what our customers want."

JetBlue Airways maintained its excellent service reputation by taking 2nd place for North America as well being named the world's Best Low-cost airline. 


British Airways takes the title as Best Airline in Europe, with it's Club World service being named as the world's Best Business Class. PGA Portugalia is the second placed European airline, as well as being named Best Regional Airline Europe - PGA Portugalia being is a very small airline compared to their European rivals. The third place in Europe goes to FINNAIR, who were better ranked by customers for their short haul product in Europe, contrasted to a rather outdated intercontinental product.

In one of the closest regional results, Best Airline Middle East goes to Emirates, who were only marginally ahead of Qatar Airways, and a resurgent Gulf Air in third place. 

Malaysia Airlines secured the title of Best Intercontinental Economy Class, with Emirates 2nd and Singapore Airlines 3rd. "Whilst thousands of different reasons were given by passengers for their different airline nominations in this category, seat comfort was the most prominent and determined the final leadership of Malaysia Airlines over Emirates" added Miller. "On a long haul flight, customers want to be comfortable/rest/sleep (seat comfort), enjoy a meal (onboard catering), be entertained (inflight entertainment) and be well looked after (cabin staff).  Airlines achieving leadership in this category are those that manage to offer the correct balance between these aspects". 

South African Airways continues its dominance of the Best Airline Africa award, taking the title in 2005 for the 6th consecutive year, ahead of Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Jet Airways is named Best Airline India / Southern Asia, coinciding with the airline's launch of direct flights between India and the UK - second place in this category going to SriLankan Airlines with Air Sahara in 3rd. 

No part of the world has not been touched by the low-cost airline syndrome, and the 2005 World Awards have consequently expanded to include a number of key low-cost categories. Named as the World's Best low-cost airline is JetBlue Airways - ahead of Air Berlin 2nd (also named Europe's Best low-cost airline) and Virgin Blue 3rd (Best low-cost airline Australia/Pacific).




"Our congratulations go to all of the World Airline Award winners, who can hold their heads high knowing that their customers have given them a vote of approval and support" said Miller. "We look upon these awards as the world championships of the airline industry - where every contestant has to achieve the highest goal, if they are to succeed." 





:: AWARD LOGO  (133kb)


NOTE TO EDITORS

All Press & Media enquiries should be directed to:

Mr Peter Miller
Marketing Director
SKYTRAX RESEARCH
E-mail: miller@airlinequality.com


Date of issue: 2nd June 2005