Cathay Pacific has edged out Singapore Airlines to be named the world’s best airline in the annual Skytrax awards.
Qantas slipped from its position as the world’s third best, but stayed in the top 10 at number six.
The annual Skytrax awards are among the most highly regarded in the industry, with the results based on surveys of more than 16 million air passengers conducted over eight months.
Skytrax chief executive Edward Plaisted praised Cathay for its performance, pointing out that the airline has won the award three times in the last ten years.
“A factor behind the Cathay Pacific win is clearly the consistency of product and service that they provide to their customers,” he said. “Not only are Cathay Pacific satisfying their passengers onboard flights, but the ratings they achieved for their airport operations in Hong Kong also played a considerable part in this success”.
Malaysia Airlines was awarded for the world’s best cabin staff, the sixth time the airline has won the award in the past ten years.
Singapore Airlines won for best first class, Etihad for best business class and Qatar for best economy class.
In the southern hemisphere, Qantas was named best airline Australasia with the best low cost airline Australasia award going to Jetstar. AirAsia won best low-cost airline overall.
Airline of the Year 2009
1. Cathay Pacific
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Asiana Airlines
4. Qatar Airways
5. Emirates
6. Qantas
7. Etihad Airways
8. Air New Zealand
9. Malaysia Airlines
10. Thai Airways
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
By: Ren Frew - 9th April 2009 at 11:25
Not a single European or American carrier in there… I wonder what that says about Western air transport?
I think it says the poll was conducted in South East Asia and the Antipodes…:D
By: rob39 - 9th April 2009 at 11:06
Hi all
Any news on how Palmair did this year?
Are they still using 737-200’s? saw it one year in tenerife, amazing aircraft and loads of people turning up to see/photograph the aircraft.
By: abutcher1985 - 9th April 2009 at 10:33
I’m more surprised that Ryanair got a whole 2 stars!
By: Skymonster - 9th April 2009 at 09:54
I’m surprised Ryanair aren’t on the list… 😮 Oh, now, come to think about it, maybe I’m not surprised! :rolleyes:
Andy
By: T5 - 9th April 2009 at 04:03
The thing is are these surveys taken from business and first class passengers or the Hoi polloi down the back end???
I’d like to think passengers in all classes have been surveyed, otherwise these results count for nothing. I am sure that this is the case though. If you go onto the SkyTrax website, they are often asking for visitors to complete surveys, which no doubt is for working out the best airlines, best business/first etc.
By: steve rowell - 9th April 2009 at 02:03
The thing is are these surveys taken from business and first class passengers or the Hoi polloi down the back end???
By: KabirT - 8th April 2009 at 06:11
Does this come as a surprise to you? What surprises me is that they are not higher up in the table. Whilst their domestic service is not up to much, their long haul service has always been fantastic, even if the economy cabin on the 747s is in need of a serious update. The cabin staff are the friendliest I have ever experienced, the food is faultless and the selection of drinks on offer (even to those in cattle class) is probably the most extensive I have ever come across.
I have been on TG twice on DEL-BKK route and had terrible experience. Have not taken TG since, this was good 5 years back so I don’t know if they may have improved.
IN a few years or so I think we will see either 9W or IT on such a list. 😀
By: steve rowell - 8th April 2009 at 01:51
Not a single European or American carrier in there… I wonder what that says about Western air transport?
They’re there somewhere
By: T5 - 8th April 2009 at 01:22
Wow… I can’t believe QTR made it!
The worst airline i’ve flown on! (It does make you wonder about Syktrax ratings)
Good to see ETD got an ‘award’ too.
No matter which airlines make it into the top 10, it is never going to please everybody. My parents are currently in Thailand after again flying with Qatar Airways and they said that their flights were excellent (and they fly a lot). And as I have mentioned in another thread, I don’t particularly like Emirates.
I guess this table has been put together based on passenger reviews and these are the airlines where the good reviews far outweigh the bad. I guess you could say that your experience with Qatar Airways and mine with Emirates were isolated cases!
By: B77W - 8th April 2009 at 00:06
Wow… I can’t believe QTR made it!
The worst airline i’ve flown on! (It does make you wonder about Syktrax ratings)
Good to see ETD got an ‘award’ too.
By: abutcher1985 - 7th April 2009 at 21:38
Not a single European or American carrier in there… I wonder what that says about Western air transport?
By: T5 - 7th April 2009 at 19:37
Thai??? really?:confused:
Does this come as a surprise to you? What surprises me is that they are not higher up in the table. Whilst their domestic service is not up to much, their long haul service has always been fantastic, even if the economy cabin on the 747s is in need of a serious update. The cabin staff are the friendliest I have ever experienced, the food is faultless and the selection of drinks on offer (even to those in cattle class) is probably the most extensive I have ever come across.
It’s also good to see both Etihad and Asiana in there as well. Both are great airlines and I would rate Asiana’s domestic service better than any other airline I have travelled with.
By: KabirT - 7th April 2009 at 19:19
Thai??? really?:confused:
By: steve rowell - 7th April 2009 at 11:05
Where is British Airways in the listing? :p
I guess it’s not The Worlds favourite airline anymore
Sign In
April 7, 2009 at 10:02 am