[flying1977]

It's good to see all the improvements and investments is slowing paying off for Qantas. Skytrax award voted Qantas:

- 3rd best airline in the world, behind Singapore and Cathay
- best first lounge in the world
- best airline Australasia
- best economy class onboard catering
- best regional airline Australasia


Noticed EK have not improved at all, they have gone down in ranking in many catagories. I think they need to change their focus from expanding back to their service and product.

http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Aw...eYear-2008.htm

[aubs]

THE WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS™ : Results by Region

Now out. Summary of the local players (skytraxx site is very badly laid out)

Qantas -
3rd best airline global
Best First Class Lounge
Best Airline : Australasia
Best Economy Class Onboard Catering
Best Regional Airline Australasia
3rd best global onboard catering

Air New Zealand
Best Airline : Transpacific
Best Cabin Staff Australia/New Zealand
2nd best global Business Class
5th best cabin staff

Jetstar (including Asia)
Best low-cost airline : Asia
Best low-cost airline : SE Asia
3rd best global low-cost airline

Virgin Blue ( I didn't think they classed themselves as low cost)
Best low-cost airline : Australia / Pacific
2nd best global low-cost airline

[NM]

I have merged the two threads on this same topic and moved into the Travel news forum.

[aubs]

Also SMH article

Good news for Qantas in airline awards - News - Travel - smh.com.au

Interesting comment here:

Recent reports on Qantas' woes did not escape the notice of Skytrax's CEO, Edward Plaisted, who said that the criticism of airlines from within their own regions did not reflect the experiences of global customers.
"The global rating for Qantas is interesting," he said. "We do find that many flag-carrier airlines suffer fairly vitriolic levels of reporting in their local regions, and the airline industry remains a business that some areas of the press seem to love to hate."

AND SMH is doing a your comments section. Waiting for more vitriole.

[simongr]

I wonder how the SYD FCLounge was rated better than the FRA FCTerminal...

Oh love this:

Still, on balance, I'd rather travel with Qantas than any other airline. Once you get up to silver frequent flyer status you get significant benefits like priority baggage and checkin via the business class queue too, which makes it well worth keeping your business with Qantas.

Hmm I guess we are really in a world of our own being OWE/OWS...

[serfty]

QANTAS wins 2008 World's Best First Class Lounge Award

"This lounge in Sydney is the flagship for Qantas. Designed by Australian Marc Newson, the lounge concept for both product and staff service has been modelled around the finest quality you would expect to find in a 5-star hotel or restaurant, and the best part is that the concept is being so well delivered by Qantas" added Plaisted.

Last year's winner of the award, Thai Airways First Class lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, remains well placed in 2nd for 2008, ahead of Qatar Airways First Class Premium Terminal at Doha Airport (3rd), Lufthansa's exclusive First Class lounge in Frankfurt Airport (4th) and a consistent achiever in the World Airline Awards, Cathay Pacific Airways First Class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport in 5th place. ...

BEST FIRST CLASS LOUNGE : 2008

Rank Airline           Airport  2007
	
 1   Qantas              SYD     12
 2   Thai Airways        BKK      1
 3   Qatar Airways       DOH      2
 4   Lufthansa           FRA      3
 5   Cathay Pacific      HKG      4

It a BIG jump from 12th, although I'm surprised either of the previous SYD lounges rated as good as 12.

Of course, where does that leave l'il bro MEL FLounge; surely it's better than the Wing.

[codash1099]

Does anyone take these awards seriously?

[AlphaVictor]

Jetstar Australia did last year, but won't this year. No real gongs.
(Bring back the Choice survey results :-))

[pauly7]

Originally Posted by aubs

THE WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS™ : Results by Region

Now out. Summary of the local players (skytraxx site is very badly laid out)

Qantas -
3rd best airline global
Best First Class Lounge
Best Airline : Australasia
Best Economy Class Onboard Catering
Best Regional Airline Australasia
3rd best global onboard catering

Air New Zealand
Best Airline : Transpacific
Best Cabin Staff Australia/New Zealand
2nd best global Business Class
5th best cabin staff

Jetstar (including Asia)
Best low-cost airline : Asia
Best low-cost airline : SE Asia
3rd best global low-cost airline

Virgin Blue ( I didn't think they classed themselves as low cost)
Best low-cost airline : Australia / Pacific
2nd best global low-cost airline

General obs were that we are pretty lucky in this region with alot of the top 10 airlines from Asia/Pac Region. Mirrors my experiences for sure.

Not sure Virgin will be overjoyed about being best low cost airline in Oz - wonder if they will spruik it in Jetstars face though?!!

[Mal]

Some more balanced comments from C-Mail readers here:
Survey votes Qantas third best airline in world | The Courier-Mail

Can't work out where all the knockers are. Perhaps they're out at the Ekka tonight!