Middle Eastern and Asian airlines named the best in the world
Posted on Monday 16 July 2012
in Travel, Asiana Airlines, Emirates, Korean Air, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic
When booking international travel, it is always wise to read up on your preferred destination before booking your flights or hotels. While researching Dubai hotels and attractions is certainly an important part of planning an adventure, vacationers would also be wise to peruse the most recent edition of the World Airline Awards, an annual ranking of the best flight providers in the world.
Based on research performed by British Consultancy firm Skytrax, the World Airline Awards is the most prestigious award in the industry. The rankings are based on information drawn from satisfaction surveys filled out by travellers representing more than 160 countries around the world, who were polled on 38 key performance indicators. These factors represented a wide swatch of services and amenities, including check-in, boarding, seat comfort, food and beverage, entertainment and staff service.
A big year for Asian airlines
For the second year in a row, traveller on Qatar Airways flights have voted the state-owned airline the best carrier in the world. The carrier, which flies to more than 100 international destinations, sat atop a list dominated by airlines from Asia and the Middle East. South Korea-based Asiana Airlines was ranked second in the world, while Singapore Airlines earned third place in the annual survey.
Other airlines in the top 10 included All Nippon Airways (fifth), Emirates (eighth) and Malaysia Airlines (10th).
Elsewhere, Shanghai's China Eastern Airlines was named the world's most improved carrier, while All Nippon Airways was awarded the best Transpacific airline.
A Tumble for Qantas
Indian travellers who are booking Sydney holidays will likely be avoiding regional giant Qantas Airways Limited (ranked 15th), as the popular carrier fell out of the World Airline Awards' top 10 for the first time since the survey began in 2001. The news comes as Qantas' biggest rival, the recently rebranded Virgin Australia, surged 20 spots from its position last year to claim the number 12 ranking in the World Airline Awards.
More of the same
Despite Qantas' struggles, Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted told the press that this year's awards ceremony represented a return to form for many of the world's top carriers.
"[This year's event was] something of a victory over the more established legacy carriers that have previously taken the top prizes in these categories," Plaisted said, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.
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