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Singapore Airlines - Source: Reuters
Singapore Airlines has topped an Australian survey as the best
airline to fly with internationally, while British Airways trailed
with the lowest satisfaction rating for flights from Australia to
Britain.
In a survey about 9,000 members of Choice, a consumer advice
organisation, were asked to rate their satisfaction on recent
international flights on cost, in-flight service, seat comfort, leg
room, timeliness, food quality and check-in process.
Singapore Airlines was voted the best airline for 11 out of the 12
most popular international destinations for Australians.
This list included to Britain, the United States, Italy, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and
Japan.
The one destination where it was not No. 1 was to New Zealand,
as its flights are operated by Air New Zealand.
V Australian, Virgin Blue's trans-Pacific carrier, was ranked
second in terms of satisfaction for flights to the United States
while bankrupt Japan Airlines came second for flights to
Britain.
Australian airline, Qantas, was criticised for not delivering on
cost or in-flight service, lagging ninth when it came to flights to
Britain and fifth on flights to the United States.
For flights to Britain, British Airways came last in overall
satisfaction, beaten by Japan Airlines, Emirates and Thai
Airways among others due to its poor scores for cost and
in-flight service.
Travellers heading to New Zealand rated Emirates as the best
carrier with the airline beating Air New Zealand and the Australian
carriers in terms of value.
Choice advised passengers flying internationally to check out at
least three airlines before booking, taking into account the
in-flight service, number of stopovers and type of plane.
"Passengers who have flown to the UK on the new A380s for example,
say the aircraft have wider seats with a deeper pitch, which can
make the difference between getting some sleep and being awake for
24 hours," said Choice spokeswoman Elise Davidson.
