The annual OAG Airline Industry Awards have been announced with Singapore Airlines once again being named "Airline of the Year". OAG is a London-based aviation information company that says their awards are like the "Oscars of the Airline Industry" as they are voted upon by frequent fliers worldwide.
The top award winners by category for 2009 are:
Airline of the Year: Singapore Airlines
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline: Virgin Atlantic
Best Trans-Pacific Airline: Singapore Airlines
Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines
Best Business Class: Continental Airlines
Best Economy/Coach Class: British Airways
Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines
Best Low-Cost Airline: Southwest Airlines
Best Airline Based in Western Europe: Virgin Atlantic
Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines
Best Airline Based in Pacific/Australia: Qantas
Best Airport: Singapore Changi
Awards were also given to the top rated airlines in other parts of the world including Africa, Central and South America, as well as the Middle East and Indian sub-continent. All votes were made on-line and were tabulated by OAG. It comes as little surprise that U.S.-based carriers aren't very highly regarded for service, especially with the domestic airline industry in such turmoil these days.
For many years the Asian airlines, especially Singapore Airlines, have been considered to deliver the best service. Other Pacific region carriers known for superior service include Cathay Pacific, Thai, Air New Zealand and Korean Air. Many surveys in recent years show a preference for European over American carriers when it comes to in-flight service across the Atlantic.
Comments
I'm not really surprised that only Continental and Southwest won awards out of all of the American carriers. Our idea of service and that of the Asian and European carriers is like night and day. It seems that the larger the airline is, the worse the service gets.
where's delta?
Notice how Virgin got in there a few times....with this London-based company deciding who gets what. Maybe we need the USA, Canadian, Russian and German judges to help keep things in perspective.
Interesting.
No only where's Delta? Where's United and American? As i said, U.S. airline service isn't very good compared to other parts of the world. I can personally attest to the fact that none of these carriers belong in the same breath with Singapore, BA, Korean or Cathay. That much is for sure. And everything i've heard about Virgin is just superlative.
I am not at all surprised to see Singapore Airlines on top again. They and Cathay Pacific and the best airlines in the world. I am surprised to see Continental as having the best business class, though. I admit I have been avoiding flying with American carriers internationally for the past 8-10 years, so maybe I am missing something. But, knowing Continental's domestic first class, I cannot imagine how their international biz class can be on par with Singapore's, Cathay's, Qantas' or Lufthansa's. Anyway, good for them.
Interesting voting choices. I remember when OAG was the only game in town for flight schedules and airport information. They must have adapted to still be around. I'm surprised that JBLU didn't get any recognition. It must be because WN has a larger presence.
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