You’re probably wondering why I am writing about the World Airline Awards–it’s not a gut issue, and certainly not a going concern for many averages people.
However, I argue that air carriers are some of the worst-hit by skyrocketing fuel prices and the increasing cost for almost everything else. On top of super higher costs, airlines have to offer better deals and everything else to attract passengers to keep its competition at bay.
And so these awards come at a very challenging time for the industry. You’ve probablu heard or read that airlines are scrimping on service or amenities just to manage costs. For example, JetBlue has now removed all pillows and blankets from its cabins, and is charging passengers $7 for a reusable pillow-and-blanket kit. Fees are also slapped on frequent flier miles use, extra baggage, food and drinks and even a glass of water!
So these awards show resiliency. After all, whatever the costs are, airlines are, at the end of the day, offering a service to millions of people around the world.
Here are some of the awardees:
2008 AIRLINE OF THE YEAR – Singapore Airlines (3rd time in ten years)
BEST LOW-COST AIRLINE (Worldwide) – easyJet
BEST LOW-COST AIRLINES (Asia) – Jetstar Asia
BEST ECONOMY CLASS – Asiana Airlines
Let’s see how Skytrax ranked our own air carriers:
THREE STAR AIRLINE (out of a perfect 5)
NOT FOUND: Cebu Pacific, SEAIR, Asian Spirit, Air Philippines
About Skytrax: http://www.airlinequality.com/index.htm
About the World Airline Awards: http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards_2008/ResultsFull-08.htm
2 Comments
August 14, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Welcome to the blogsphere, Charo!!
August 14, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Singapore Airlines is really touted as the best airline among the regular jetsetters, especially in terms of comfort. At least they don’t make do with plastic utensils for their meals, like a certain international airline I USED to like @_@ Cost-cutting measures everywhere!