SINGAPORE AIRLINES wins Airline of the Year title in the 2007 World Airline Awards which were unveiled today by Skytrax

London, UK - 30th July 2007


"The 2006/7 World Airline Survey was our longest running and largest passenger survey ever" said Edward Plaisted (CEO of survey organisation, Skytrax). "We received over 14 million eligible nominations around the world during the 11 month survey, further underlining the project's title of being the World's Largest Passenger Survey.

"Singapore Airlines is named Airline of the Year, and we congratulate them on this outstanding achievement. In addition to a very strong performance across most survey categories, Singapore Airlines was also winner of another major award, taking the world's Best Business Class title for 2007."

"The jostle for Airline of the Year title was fairly constant throughout the survey period, and in particular the top 5 positions fluctuated on quite a regular basis - before Singapore Airlines clinched 1st place in the final count. I must in particular highlight the performance of the other top 5 airlines - Thai Airways taking second position (climbing from 4th in 2006), Cathay Pacific (a former winner of the title) ranked in 3rd place, Qatar Airways securing 4th position, and a new entrant to the Top 5 group, with Qantas taking 5th position."

"As with the majority of the survey studies we conduct, the World Airline Survey is primarily focussed on the Quality attributes that different airlines offer - be it in the airport or the onboard environment. Of course, in making a nomination for a Best Airline based on the standards of product and service, the survey participants will pay due regard to the value-for-money equation, but we do not set out to evaluate which airlines might have the largest network or most frequent schedules. It is all about quality, and how the customer rates one airline against another."

The title of Best Cabin staff goes to Malaysia Airlines, who have been a frequent winner of the title in some previous years. The CEO of Malaysia Airlines, Mr Idris Jala, said "I am very proud of our cabin crew and their outstanding performance. Our crew treat our customers as guests in our own home. They are natural, spontaneous, determined and willing to demonstrate the best of Malaysian hospitality."

One of the most competitive global regions is the Middle East, with Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways all expanding at a dramatic rate, adding new aircraft, new routes and each awaiting new home-base, state of the art airports to open in their respective countries. The share of honours was impressive for these airlines - Emirates yet again being voted the conclusive winner of the Best Inflight Entertainment Award - Qatar Airways enjoyed a triple success, winning the Best First Class title, Best Cabin Staff (Middle East region) and Best Airline (Middle East region) titles. Etihad Airways walked off with the Best Economy class catering award.

"Reacting to news of the Awards, the CEO of Qatar Airways, Mr Akbar Al-Baker, said, "It gives me great pride to receive these accolades, and credit goes to all our staff who are so dedicated to providing the very best service." Qatar Airways First Class service received some very considerable upgrading during 2006, not least of which was the opening the of new Premium Terminal at the home base airport of Doha. More reminiscent of a 5 Star hotel, the facilities offer first class standards that many airlines would dream about. Onboard, their A340 aircraft now offer an exclusive First Class lounge area, where passengers can go during the flight to relax, enjoy a drink or have their meals served.

"Displaying a new level of achievement in the World Airline Awards, we saw Korean Air land the world's Best Economy Class title, reflecting a strong combination of both product and staff service quality achievement - Korean Air also taking 4th place in the Best Inflight Entertainment Awards. Their local competitor, Asiana Airlines did not go away empty handed, being named as the Best Airline in Northern Asia" added Plaisted.

For food lovers, three airlines were star performers in the Onboard Catering Awards - Gulf Air winning the Best First Class Catering award, Austrian taking the Best Business Class Catering award, and Etihad Airways the Best Economy Class Catering award.

"I often think that many passengers talk a lot of stereotypical rubbish about airline food, and quality levels for meals served onboard is generally good. On a personal front, I take more than 350 flights a year, and it is very rare to receive a meal that could honestly be described as of a poor quality" said Plaisted. "Granted, the type of meals has been cut on shorter flights in recent years, but that is probably underlining the fact that airlines used to offer too much! Take a 4-5 hour train journey, bus journey etc, and we cope without any meals provided. There are going to be occasions where standards of onboard service may not deliver the meal at its designed quality standard, but this should not detract from the fact that the core meals are generally good."

"Interesting to see that two of our winners, Gulf Air and Austrian, both have onboard chefs to handle and oversee the onboard catering standards (at the front of the plane), and maybe this is a reminder that some airlines might invest more into meal handling and service for the economy class cabin."

For those passengers lucky enough to travel in Business or First Class, the standards of an airline lounge are becoming ever more important, and we found during the survey that nominations for the Best Lounge categories were even more focussed than in previous years. Taking top spot for Best First Class Lounge, Thai Airways new Royal First lounge at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport was well supported by customers. Whilst the opening and early days for the airport itself have not been too auspicious, customers were clearly impressed by the new Thai 1st class facilities.

First Class customers are pampered from the moment they step into the terminal building, and no more so than in the THAI Royal First lounge - offering not only space, privacy and comfort, but luxury shower rooms, a-la-carte dining options, and business facilities. Thai Airways also offer an exclusive Spa facility here, with a ranges of services including Gym Room, Foot-massage and traditional Thai massage. Add to this the Spa suites with jacuzzi, and one can understand why customers seem to be happy it to vote as the world's Best.

"Our Awards are not all about the most luxurious or the most expensive meals" added Plaisted. "We have for several years operated a large section of the survey for customers to rate and vote for the best Low-cost airlines across the world. Indeed, as this continues to still be a burgeoning market, and regional low-cost is gradually becoming long-haul low cost, the number of travellers using low-cost airlines grows at a frenetic pace."

Topping the 2007 low-cost airline Awards, it is Australia's Jetstar Airways that wins the title of Best Low-Cost airline worldwide. "For an airline that is just 3 years old, this is a fantastic achievement" said Plaisted. "Whilst customers may be looking for the best value fares and travel deals when selecting a low-cost airline, that does not of course suggest that the same customers quality expectations from their trip should be any different. Our congratulations go to Jetstar Airways for winning this major title, and enjoying the support of so many clearly happy customers! The award for Europe's Best Low-Cost airline goes to Air Berlin - an airline that has performed consistently well over the last 3 years in the World Airline Survey."

London (UK) - 30 July 2007

Press and Media enquiries should be directed to:

Mr Peter Miller
Director Marketing - SKYTRAX
Email :  miller@airlinequality.com


Further information     2007 World Airline Awards