The World Airline Awards 2012, presented earlier this month by Skytrax, provided a host of winners in many categories, with Qatar Airways being nominated World’s Best Airline of the Year, Etihad Airways World’s Best First Class Airline, Emirates World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment, Malaysia Airlines World’s Best Cabin Staff, and Air Canada Best International Airline in North America.
The World Airline Awards are the primary benchmarking tool for passenger satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world, delivering a unique survey format based on analysis of business and leisure travellers, across all cabin travel types (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class passengers). Air travellers were surveyed by telephone, questionnaires and online about their experiences with airlines on the ground an in the air during a 10-month period. The survey measured passenger satisfaction across more than 38 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service, including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, inflight entertainment, and staff service. The survey covered over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways landed all three First Class titles, winning the Best First Class Airline title, Best First Class Seats, and Best First Class Airline Catering.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “To once again win these Skytrax Awards in the First Class category is a fantastic achievement for Etihad Airways. The Skytrax awards are renowned across the world for reflecting the thoughts and views of millions of air travellers and we are delighted that our premium service and product is considered the industry’s very best.
“We are immensely proud of being the youngest airline with the fastest rise into the elite group of best airlines listed in the Skytrax ranking. Air travellers who take part in the survey vote on every element of their travel experience, and this recognition indicates that our premium innovations pay dividends as they meet the expectations of the discerning traveller, who again voted us the best.”
Emirates
Emirates achieved a repeat success, with air travellers worldwide again naming the carrier as having the World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment.
“Emirates continues with its long-standing winning record in taking this award for 2012, and they must be very proud of this fantastic customer recognition of their inflight entertainment standards,” said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax.
“As an onboard product amenity, inflight entertainment has become a great quality differentiator and continues to grow in importance for customer satisfaction rankings. Emirates clearly remains a favourite airline for this among passengers.”
Air Canada
Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada, said: “We are delighted at again being recognised as the Best International Airline in North America. It affirms Air Canada’s ranking among the world’s best airlines and underscores the success of our strategy to transform Air Canada into an international powerhouse.
“This top rating by air travellers for three consecutive years demonstrates that passengers appreciate the Air Canada travel experience, including our recently expanded, award-winning seatback entertainment system offering, concierge service, enhanced mobile and online services, and the evolution of our Maple Leaf lounge product.
“The award also recognises the dedication and professionalism of Air Canada employees in delivering our world-class products and services and taking care of our customers.”
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines received the 5-Star Airline certification and won the award for World’s Best Cabin Staff. The Malaysia Airlines Satay Service was also honoured as the Best Airline Signature Dish.
Chief Executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said: “I am pleased that our MAS team has been recognised for its passion to deliver the best service to our guests for memorable experiences during their journey with us. It is an honour to be recognised by our passengers as leading the way in service and hospitality on board Malaysia Airlines, and to receive this prestigious 5-star ranking.
“Of course, this is not the end for us. With our new fleet of planes and a significant refurbishment throughout our services, we hope to win more next year.”
World’s Best Airline of the Year
1 Qatar Airways
2 Asiana Airlines
3 Singapore Airlines
4 Cathay Pacific Airways
5 All Nippon Airways
6 Etihad Airways
7 Turkish Airlines
8 Emirates
9 Thai Airways
10 Malaysia Airlines
World’s Best First Class Airline
1 Etihad Airways
2 Singapore Airlines
3 All Nippon Airways
4 Cathay Pacific Airways
5 Emirates
6 Qatar Airways
7 Qantas Airways
8 Lufthansa
9 British Airways
10 Malaysia Airlines
World’s Best Business Class Airline
1 Cathay Pacific Airways
2 Qatar Airways
3 Oman Air
4 Singapore Airlines
5 Etihad Airways
6 Swiss International Air Lines
7 South African Airways
8 Virgin Australia
9 Hainan Airlines
10 Qantas Airways
World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline
1 Qantas Airways
2 Turkish Airlines
3 Air New Zealand
4 All Nippon Airways
5 British Airways
6 EVA Air
7 Virgin Australia
8 Virgin Atlantic
9 Japan Airlines
10 Air France
World’s Best Economy Class Airline
1 Singapore Airlines
2 Qatar Airways
3 Asiana Airlines
4 Garuda Indonesia
5 All Nippon Airways
6 Malaysia Airlines
7 Turkish Airlines
8 Thai Airways
9 Cathay Pacific
10 Virgin Australia
World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines
1 AirAsia
2 Virgin America
3 Jetstar Airways
4 AirAsiaX
5 easyJet
6 WestJet
7 Jetstar Asia
8 Southwest Airlines
9 Azul Airlines
10 Indigo Airlines
Best Low-Cost Airlines in Europe
1 easyJet
2 Norwegian
3 Niki
4 Germanwings
5 Wizzair
6 Iceland Express
7 BlueAir
8 Onur Air
9 Pegasus Airlines
10 flyBe
World’s Best First Class Airline Seats
1 Etihad Airways
2 Singapore Airlines
3 Cathay Pacific
4 Emirates
5 Lufthansa
6 All Nippon Airways
7 Korean Air
8 Oman Air
9 Air China
10 British Airways
World‘s Best Business Class Airline Seat
1 Oman Air
2 Cathay Pacific
3 Qatar Airways
4 Singapore Airlines
5 All Nippon Airways
6 Asiana Airlines
7 Korean Air
8 Virgin Atlantic
9 Air China
10 China Southern
World’s Best Premium Economy Airline Seats
1 Turkish Airlines
2 Air New Zealand
3 Qantas Airways
4 Virgin Australia
5 Virgin Atlantic
6 All Nippon Airways
7 British Airways
8 EVA Air
9 Japan Airlines
10 Air France
World’s Best Economy Airline Seats
1 Asiana Airlines
2 Qatar Airways
3 Singapore Airlines
4 Gardua Indonesia
5 Korean Air
6 Thai Airways
7 Air China
8 Malaysia Airlines
9 South African Airways
10 All Nippon Airways
