The World Airline Awards are the highest quality recognition that an airline can receive and are based on the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax. This year’s award survey was carried out between August 2006 and June 2007. 14,836,129 passengers were interviewed.

The Top Ten Results for Airline of the Year:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Thai Airways
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Qatar Airways
5. Qantas
6. Malaysia Airlines
7. Air New Zealand
8. China Airlines
9. Emirates
10. British Airways

I found it interesting yet not surprising that there were no US airlines on the list. In fact, the ‘Best Airline’ award winner for North America was Air Canada. US airlines did win various ‘North American’ only titles though, however. Still, as an American, this begs for further discussion- Because for me it’s about American pride.

There used to be a time when US airlines would have taken top honors. Over here in the states we refer to it as ‘the legacy era’ and the airlines still around from that era are referred to as ‘legacy era’ carriers today. Not surprisingly either, I can name all of them on both hands: American, Continental, United, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, and Alaska Airlines. Now, they are shadows of their former pre-deregulation selves, both in status and in service.

Today’s legacy era carrier in the US is focused on an entirely different set of priorities then the recent award winning international carriers from abroad. These priorities include, but are not limited to:

• Survival
• Profit
• ROI for investors (shareholders)
• Cost savings

In contrast, the priorities for the international award winning carriers tend to focus more on the customer experience; Things like service and quality. US airline execs will tell you that they are only doing what it takes to compete in today’s ‘tough’ airline environment. They will say that travelers in the US are primarily focused on cost savings over everything else. Interestingly, it’s these same travelers who always seem to be the first to complain about the service and quality of today’s airline experience in the US.

I say they got what they paid for.

If the US carriers plan to return to the top ten on the annual World Airline Awards list, ticket prices need to be raised and priorities have to change.

And neither is likely to happen anytime soon-
Just my take on it.
~Capt’n chris

Other Sources:
The Times of India

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