Here’s a version with some commentary . . . and I have
highlighted mentions of Australian and NZ airlines.
World's best airline named as Qantas slips in rankings
CRAIG PLATT - THE AGE
May 21, 2010 - 1:32PM
Qantas slipped to seventh place in the annual World Airline Awards, while Asiana was named the world's best.
South Korea's Asiana Airlines has been named the airline of the year at the annual World Airline Awards.
Qantas lost another spot in the 2010 awards announced last night in Hamburg, Germany, dropping to seventh place, down from sixth last year. In 2008, it was rated the world's third best airline.
The annual awards by Skytrax are based on surveys with more than 17 million passengers, carried out over 10 months.
Passengers rate airlines on customer service, comfort of seating, quality of food, lounges and cabin crew.
Air New Zealand overtook Qantas to become the best rated airline in the Australia/Pacific region, climbing from eighth last year to fifth this year.
Last year's top airline, Cathay Pacific slipped back to fourth place, while Singapore maintained its spot as the number two airline.
Asiana ranked third last year. Skytrax chairman Edward Plaisted praised the airline's commitment to customer service. “Asiana Airlines are clearly meeting and exceeding their customers' expectations,” he said.
Asian airlines dominated the award categories, with the full service airlines joined by AirAsia winning the Best Low-Cost Airline award and Garuda Indonesia picking up the Most Improved award.
Qantas took out two awards for its premium economy class – Best Premium Economy and Best Premium Economy Seat. Virgin Blue also received an award for best low-cost carrier in the Australia/Pacific region.
The final top 10 ranking in the awards were:
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Qatar Airways
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Air New Zealand
6. Etihad Airways
7. Qantas Airways
8. Emirates
9. Thai Airways
10. Malaysia Airlines
Other awards announced included:
Best Low-Cost Airline Worldwide
AirAsia
Most Improved Airline
Garuda Indonesia
Best Cabin Staff
Singapore Airlines
Best Inflight Entertainment
Emirates
Best Airport Services
Thai Airways
Best Economy Class
Malaysia Airlines
Best Premium Economy Class
Qantas
Best Business Class
Qatar Airways
Best First Class
Etihad Airways
Best Airline: Transatlantic
Virgin Atlantic
Best Airline: Transpacific
Cathay Pacific
Best Airline: Australia/Pacific
Air New Zealand
Best Airline: Europ
Lufthansa
Best Airline: India/Central Asia
Kingfisher Airlines
Best Airline: Middle East
Qatar Airways
Best Airline: North America
Air Canada
Best Airline: South East Asia
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Lounge - Business Class
Virgin Atlantic
Best Airline Lounge - First Class
Thai Airways
Best Airline Seat - Business Class
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Seat - Economy Class
Kingfisher Airlines
Best Airline Seat - First Class
Etihad Airways
Best Airline Seat - Premium Economy Class
Qantas Airways
Best Low-Cost Airline Australia/Pacific
Virgin Blue
Best Onboard Catering - Business Class
Qatar Airways
Best Onboard Catering - Economy Class
Turkish Airlines
Best Onboard Catering - First Class
Etihad Airways