Asia flies high in latest Skytrax survey

The Asia aviation industry has outperformed its European and North American counterparts, capturing several of the top prizes at last week’s Skytrax 2012 World Airline Awards.

Presented at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK last Friday, the Skytrax awards rank the world’s top carrier as well as bests in categories like “best by cabin”, “best seats”, “best lounges”, “best regional airlines” and more.

Qatar Airways won the most prestigious award – The Best Airline in the World – for second year running, while Thai Airways International came in at No 9.

The World Airline Awards are the primary benchmarking tool for Passenger Satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world, according to Skytrax. The survey measured passenger satisfaction across more than 38 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service, including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service. The Survey covered more than 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.

The latest survey showed nine of Asia airliners – including Singapore Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, Thai Airways International and Malaysia Airlines – dominating the Top 10 of World Best Airlines, leaving a bit of “air space” for Turkish Airlines.

Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline with over 2,500 flights weekly, enjoyed the world's Best Inflight Entertainment award, while Etihad – Emirate’s direct rival and Arab Emirates’ flag carrier won world’s best First Class Airline. The world’s Best Business Class went to Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways.

The large majority of airlines around the world offer 31-32-inch seat pitch (some even lower at 29-30 inch) in economy class, making it seem more like cattle class. There are an elite few, such as Thai Airways and Qatar Airways and Asiana Airlines, that still provide a comfortable 34-inch seat pitch, with good recline, where travellers will enjoy greatest comfort.

However, a bigger seat alone isn’t always better, when it comes to the world’s Best Economy Class Airline, since the in-flight entertainment, food quality, crew attention and other factors are also counted. Singapore Airlines (with its 32-inch seat pitch), for example, beat Qatar Airways and Asiana Airlines to secure the world’s Best Economy Class Airline. Passengers travelling in economy class on Singapore Airlines can expect a good food, as the airline also won the world’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering. 

Thai Airways International, on other hand, was ranked No 8 in terms of the world’s Best Economy Class Airline, but Thailand’s national carrier snapped world’s Best Airline Ground Services at the 2012 World Airline Awards.

AirAsia also helped Asia’s aviation industry to shine by winning the world’s Best Low-Cost Airline. Malaysia Airline, which recently took delivery of its Airbus A380 aircraft, was recognised for the world’s Best Cabin Staff award.

Many airline passengers who have experienced Suvarnabhumi Airport’s slow passenger flow and found themselves running to the gate are hoping that the airport will improve its service and win a Skytrax award sometimes in the future. But it’s a wish that’s unlikely to come true in the near future.

Thailand’s largest airport plunged from 13th in 2011 to 25th on the 2012 World’s Top Airports survey.