Continental is best in North America

The annual passenger survey conducted by U.K.-based Skytrax (www.airlinequality.com) has released its 2008 results, and Singapore Airlines has repeated last year’s performance by capturing the survey’s “Airline of the Year” honors as the world’s best. The Skytrax survey is noteworthy for its depth: The 2008 poll included interviews – mostly online -- with 15.4 million travelers from 95 countries, and covers 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction. In the “Airline of the Year” category, Cathay Pacific ranked second, up from third place in 2007; Qantas was third (up from fifth place last year), while Thai Airways ranked fourth (down from second place in 2007). Other airlines in the top 10 (and their 2007 ranks) include: fifth place, Asiana (12th place); sixth, Malaysia (sixth); seventh, Qatar Airways (fourth); eighth place, Air New Zealand (seventh); ninth place, Emirates (ninth) and 10th place, Etihad Airways (23rd).

In other categories, the survey ranked easyJet as the best low-cost airline; Asiana Airlines as having the best cabin staff; Emirates as the best in in-flight entertainment; Qantas as having the best first class lounges; Virgin Atlantic for the best business class lounges; Asiana for best economy class service; Cathay pacific for best first class service; Singapore for best business class service. Among regional winners, Continental was rated the best airline in North America, Lufthansa was best in Europe, South African Airways best in Africa, Qatar Airways best in the Middle East, LAN best in South America, Singapore best in Asia and Qantas best in Australasia.