Posted on 06/04/2005 10:32:02 AM PDT by pissant
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Does the notion of air travel conjure images of gate agents bickering over carry-on bags, harried flight attendants and adult-sized bodies crammed into a child-sized seats?
Well, guess what: on some airlines, a flight is a trip to be enjoyed, not endured. A massive survey released Thursday names airlines that customers actually like to fly.
The poll, conducted by London-based consultancy Skytrax, asked people to grade the world's airlines according to a broad variety of criteria. Taken over the course of a year, it tallied more than 12 million responses, from citizens of 94 countries.
The winner was Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong-based carrier most Americans only get to fly if they're making the long haul to Asia. (Click here to see complete results.)
Cathay won particular praise for its first-class and business-class service, but Skytrax made it clear that the best airlines keep folks happy back in the cheap seats, too.
"This is the most representative survey of airline passengers across the globe," said Miller in a statement. "It encompasses all passenger types, be they business travellers, vacationers or backpackers."
(snip)
1. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong
2. Qantas Airways, Australia
3. Emirates, Dubai
4. Singapore Airlines, Singapore
5. British Airways, United Kingdom
6. Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia
7. Thai Airways, Thailand
8. Qatar Airways, Qatar
9. Asiana Airlines, South Korea
10. ANA All Nippon Airways, Japan
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
British Airways is excellent. Even AirFrance is better than any US carrier (runs for cover)
I have had the good fortune of twice flying CP on trips to HK..there is nothing like it in the world..
I've flown Singapore Airlines two times. I was expecting to see them on the list, and am not surprised that they are indeed near the top. Even "coach" feels like first class on SA....
A gross oversite, IMO. LOL
IMHO, the best US airline is Midwest Airlines (used to be Midwest Express).
Mark
I like Alaska Air.
I've never flown to the orient. But it's nice to know they take care or you on a 10 hour flight!
No need. You are right. My last 3 flights to Europe on American carriers were nightmarish...dirty planes, inedible food and rude cabin attendants, and everyone packed in like sardines.
Yup! Sky candy!
No male stewardesses either, I'm guessing!
All turboprops?
I would have to choose Cathay,
I have heard, Value for money, EMIRATES!
The good ole USA isn't doing too well on this one,is it?
But where is Aeroflot ? hehe..
"I've flown Singapore Airlines two times."
I have a dreadful fear of flying, but I must say even from their ads Singapore Air looks luxe. Remember their old ad campaign touting their stewardesses "The Singapore Girl"?
I guess it was too un-PC and they dropped it. But I always had the feeling they didn't drop the quality of their staff.
Yup, Singapore Airlines is one of the best.
I asked my wife not to take that job.
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