|
Click HERE for the
full World Airline Award results
SINGAPORE AIRLINES NAMED AIRLINE OF THE YEAR IN WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS
LONDON, 11th August 2008
"For the 3rd time in 10 years, Singapore Airlines has been named World's Best Airline, winning the 2008 Airline of the Year
title in the latest World Airline Awards" said Edward Plaisted (CEO of Skytrax). "We extend our congratulations to them for
this notable achievement, coinciding with the time that Singapore Airlines was the world's first airline to fly the Airbus A380."
Over 15 million eligible survey interviews were completed during the 11 month Survey period. From Seoul to Sao Paulo, Copenhagen to Cape Town, the
scale and breadth of the 2008 survey further strengthens the well-established reputation as the World's Largest Passenger Survey.
Singapore Airlines also collected the Award for Best Business Class in a very
competitive section of the survey. "Business Class standards continue to be upgraded by airlines
across the world, and Singapore Airlines managed to retain their title amidst this growing level
of competition" said Edward Plaisted. "It is the whole business class package that is evaluated, from
airport lounges, ground services to the quality of cabin seating, inflight entertainment, catering and
of course the cabin staff service."
Cathay Pacific takes 2nd place overall in the 2008 Awards (up from 3rd in 2007), and picks up the Award for World's best
First Class, giving due recognition to their new onboard 1st Class product and service concept.
Qantas is ranked 3rd worldwide (5th in 2007) and collects the Award for Best First Class Lounge - achieved in a period where the airline has seen competition ramped
up both in its domestic and regional market. "The global rating for Qantas is interesting" says Edward Plaisted. "When
we look at more localised studies, reporting etc, we found that Qantas comes under fire from some media
that clearly contradicts a more widespread view of Qantas customers that voted for the airline in the survey. We
do find that many countries flag-carrier airlines suffer fairly vitriolic levels of reporting in their local regions, and the
airline industry remains a business that some areas of the press seem to love-to-hate!"
"Another closely contested Survey category, the Best First Class Lounge Award is a true recognition
of top-end quality being delivered, and Qantas have set a clear benchmark with their First Class facilities at
Sydney Airport. This lounge in Sydney is the flagship for Qantas. Designed by Australian Marc Newson, the lounge concept for both
product and staff service has been modelled around the finest quality you would expect to find in a 5-star hotel or restaurant,
and the best part is that the concept is being so well delivered by Qantas" added Plaisted.
Thai Airways maintained a strong ranking, placed 4th worldwide (2nd in 2007) together with picking up 4th
place in the
Best Cabin Staff section of the Awards.
Asiana Airlines was one of the biggest improvers across the 2008 results, ranked 5th worldwide (up from 12th in 2007),
as well as taking the sought-after World's Best Cabin Staff Award and also collecting the Award for Best Economy Class.
"This is clearly an airline on the move upwards" says Edward Plaisted. "Smaller than it's
national counterpart Korean Air,
Asiana Airlines are developing an ever-increasing level of customer support, achieving some of the highest
levels of customer satisfaction across today's airline industry. Some innovative cabin service concepts clearly contribute
towards their success, but it is more apparent that Asiana Airlines is gaining a worldwide reputation based on the
concept of superb customer service."
Click HERE for the
full World Airline Award results
Malaysia Airlines ranked 6th worldwide (as in 2007), and was also the very close runner-up for the title of World's
best Cabin Staff. "Repositioning itself during 2007 as the 5-star value carrier, we see it as a real achievement for
Malaysia Airlines to have retained it's high global ranking. For them not win the Best Cabin
Staff award is naturally a disappointment, although their hold on that particular award does occasionally have to be
relinquished!" said Edward Plaisted.
Qatar Airways is another 5-Star airline achieving a top-10 ranking (placed 7th worldwide), and collecting the
Award for Best Airline and Best Cabin Staff for the Middle East region, as well
as the Best Business Class Catering category.
Air New Zealand is ranked 8th worldwide (7th in 2007), and also collects the 2008 Award for Best Airline Transpacific, ahead of Qantas
in that category.
Emirates maintained the same ranking as last year, placed 9th worldwide and offering clear recognition of the airline's
aggressive marketing and growth policy. "Echoing the trend of Dubai where everything now has to be the biggest, it is
undeniable that Emirates is well recognised around the world" says Plaisted. "Such growth is never an easy time to
maintain quality levels, but Emirates has managed to maintain its global rating this year, and can now use its
Airbus A380 aircraft to try and impress passengers in the coming year."
"Four must be a lucky number for Emirates, as they pick up the Award for
Best Airline Inflight Entertainment for the 4th year in succession. This was another very hotly contested section of the World Airline Survey, and we witnessed the closest finish ever
in terms of Emirates final push for 1st place ahead of Singapore Airlines in 2nd. We congratulate Emirates for retaining their distinctive
reputation in this Survey category, and determination to remain at the forefront of inflight entertainment concepts"
added Plaisted.
A new entrant to the world's Top-10 airlines is Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways, securing 10th position in the 2008
Awards. Following in the footsteps of Emirates and Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways is continuing it's rapid expansion
with new route openings and aircraft acquisitions, and is delivering a high quality product and service offering to passengers.
A repeat win was achieved by Virgin Atlantic in being named winner of the Best Business Class Lounge Award, having secured the title in 2007 for their
Clubhouse facility at London Heathrow Airport".
Cathay Pacific win the Best First Class Onboard Catering Award, with their new First Class concept clearing being a success with customers.
In the year that Austrian celebrates it's 50th anniversary, the airline has another honour to mark the achievement, winning
the Award for Best Business Class Onboard Catering for the second year running. Austrian has developed a very strong
reputation amongst customers for the high standards of long-haul business class catering, and their gourmet cuisine prepared by Do & Co
continues to impress. Qantas was named winner of the Best Economy Class Onboard Catering Award, based on their longer haul, international operations.
Click HERE for the
full World Airline Award results
ABOUT SKYTRAX
Established in 1989, SKYTRAX are the leading Quality advisors to world airlines and airports.
Skytrax operate the Airline Star Ranking and Quality Certified Airline programmes.
Press and Media enquiries should be directed to:
Mr Peter Miller
Director Marketing - SKYTRAX
Email : miller@airlinequality.com
|
