10,000 Frequent Travelers in New Zagat Survey Rate 61 Major World Airlines.NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 1997-- -- Singapore Airlines  This article or section is written like an .Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view. Mark blatant advertising for , using . , Cathay Pacific Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (HKSE: 0293 ) is an airline based in Hong Kong, operating scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 104 destinations worldwide. It is the flag carrier of Hong Kong with its main base at the Hong Kong International Airport. [1]. and Swissair Win Top Ratings Internationally; Midwest Express, Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines, (NYSE: ALK) is an airline based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It operates hubs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Portland International Airport. and American Lead U.S. Domestics -- -- Penny-Pinching by Large Domestic Carriers Prompts Surveyor Criticism -- Americans literally have a long way to go if they want the best airline service, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a review of 61 air carriers worldwide in the latest Zagat Airline Survey. Of the 10 airlines ranked highest by Zagat travelers, seven are specialists in Asian or Pacific Rim Pacific Rim, term used to describe the nations bordering the Pacific Ocean and the island countries situated in it. In the post–World War II era, the Pacific Rim has become an increasingly important and interconnected economic region. routes. The new Zagat findings are based on ratings and commentary from over 10,000 frequent fliers, including roughly 1,400 travel industry professionals culled from groups such as Meeting Professionals International, the American Society of Travel Agents ASTA, short for the American Society of Travel Agents, claims over 20,000 members in 140 countries. Its members include travel agents and companies who offer travel products, such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc. , the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, and the Professional Convention Management Association. Surveyors rated each airline on the Zagat 0-to-30 scale for four criteria: Comfort, Service, Timeliness and Food. A rating of 0-9 signifies "poor to fair"; 10-15 means "fair to good"; 16-19, "good to very good"; 20-25, "very good to excellent", and 26-30 "extraordinary to perfection Adv. 1. to perfection - in every detail; "the new house suited them to a T" just right, to a T, to the letter ." Singapore Airlines earned its fourth consecutive top ranking, breaking its own previous high with an "extraordinary" average score of 26.84. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific was second with a 25.07 rating -- displacing Swissair, which came in third. Midwest Express, the highest-rated U.S. airline (24.47), was fourth overall, followed by Japan Airlines, Thai Airways This article is about the defunct airline in Thailand. For the present day airline, see Thai Airways International. Thai Airways (Thai: เดินอากาศไทย) was the national domestic air , All Nippon Airways, and two high fliers from down under, Qantas and Air New Zealand Parameter not given Error... ''Template needs its first parameter as beg[in], mid[dle], or end. Parameter not given Error... . Besides Midwest Express, tops among the U.S. Carriers were Alaska Airlines and American Airlines American Airlines Major U.S. airline. American was created through a merger of several smaller U.S. airlines and incorporated in 1934. It continued to buy the routes of other airlines, becoming an international carrier in the 1970s; its routes include South America, the , respectively rated 21.18 and 17.38. Following were United Airlines (17.13) and Delta (16.97). Continental, which has recently advertised itself as "No. 1" for long flights on the basis of a J.D. Power & Associates consumer survey, ranked 15th of 19 domestic carriers with a 14.42 rating. The Pampering of the Long-Distance Flier The imperative to stave off cabin fever cabin fever Relapsing fever, see there on long flights means that the trans-Pacific carriers "almost have to be the best," according to Tim Zagat, co-publisher with his wife Nina of the popular travel guide series. "A flight of 10 hours or more is going to be remembered -- for better or worse. The successful long-distance carriers make the passage something like a cruise, with wide-body planes, lots of amenities and an emphasis on personal service. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have become renowned for treating passengers like royalty Adv. 1. like royalty - in a royal manner; "they were royally treated" like kings, royally . " Singapore remains "best in the world," say surveyors, thanks to "near perfection in all areas" that makes passengers feel they "don't want to get off the plane." Transcendent service and comfort-rich amenities also made Singapore Air the number one Survey Value, its "Expensive" rating notwithstanding. Cathay Pacific likewise "makes a long flight over the Pacific pass quickly." Swissair was said to perform "like clockwork," delivering most passengers on time "to the nanosecond (1) One billionth of a second. Used to measure the speed of logic and memory chips, a nanosecond can be visualized by converting it to distance. In one nanosecond, electricity travels approximately a foot in a wire. " while offering "comfortable" if "slightly chilly" service. Euro-Paeans Besides Swissair, two other Europeans made the Top 10 among 42 international carriers. SAS (1) (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, www.sas.com) A software company that specializes in data warehousing and decision support software based on the SAS System. Founded in 1976, SAS is one of the world's largest privately held software companies. See SAS System. (Scandinavian Airlines), rated 23.10, was judged "an airline one can love," thanks to "special touches" such as "roomy sleeper seats." Close behind at 22.97 was Virgin Atlantic, a "hip," "youthful" "Studio 54 in the sky" pampering fliers with "headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. , slippers and eyeshades you can keep" -- at fares below those of other large carriers. Most European airlines performed well. Lufthansa (22.26), like Swissair, was seen to reflect national character, impressing surveyors as "a well-oiled machine" with "cool but efficient" service. British Airways British Airways in full British Airways PLC International passenger airline based in London. In 1936 British Airways Ltd. was founded through the merger of three smaller airlines. (21.94) was praised for regal treatment" and "Anglo punctuality Punctuality Fogg, Phileas completes world circuit at exact minute he wagered he would. [Fr. Lit.: Around the World in Eighty Days] Gilbreths disciplined family brought up to abide by strict, punctual standards. [Am. Lit. " -- factors that support BAs promotion offering free tickets to business class passengers who think the carrier isn't up to snuff. Meanwhile, Air France Air France in full Compagnie Internationale Air France French passenger and cargo airline with more than 200 destinations in some 80 countries. It introduced supersonic Concorde service in 1976, but financial loss led the company to cease its Concorde (21.20) maintained its national reputation for "ooh-la-la food" and "civilized service." Somewhat more heated was commentary about Alitalia (16.66) -- praised by some travelers for "molto mol·to adv. Music Very; much. Used chiefly in directions. [Italian, from Latin multum, from neuter of multus, many, much; see mel-2 bene" service, but scorched scorch v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. by others for "too many smokers," "chaotic boarding" and a "nonchalant non·cha·lant adj. Seeming to be coolly unconcerned or indifferent. See Synonyms at cool. [French, from Old French, present participle of nonchaloir, to be unconcerned : non-, attitude towards rules." Other solid European performers were KLM KLM Kaiserliche Marine (Enigma: Rising Tide game) KLM Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Airlines) KLM Klub Langer Menschen (German: Tall Person Club) ("a Dutch treat Dutch treat n. An outing, as for dinner or a movie, in which all persons pay their own expenses. Dutch treat Noun Informal an outing where each person pays his or her own expenses ") and Finnair, "a great introduction to a fascinating country" -- complete with a reindeer meat appetizer. Rated lower, but appreciated as a Eurobargain, was Icelandair ("love the stopover" in Reykjavik). U.S. Carriers Led by Midwest Express and Alaska Airlines As in the last Zagat Airline Survey, regional carriers led the domestic pack. First-place Midwest Express won raves for "first-class seating," "first-class service" and "first- class food" at "coach prices" -- along with such extras as "china and champagne service" and "two-by-two leather seating." Alaska Airlines, in second place among domestics carriers with an average rating of 21.18, was noted for "people-oriented service" that "could teach the big boys something." American, United and Delta finished third, fourth and fifth respectively among the 19 domestic airlines covered. But all three drew rueful rue·ful adj. 1. Inspiring pity or compassion. 2. Causing, feeling, or expressing sorrow or regret. rue comments about "penny pinching cutbacks" in food, on-board services and space. Ratings for American and Delta each slipped a point since the last Survey, from 18 to 17, while United's score remained unchanged at 17. The regionals may have clearer flying, as Tim Zagat points out: "These carriers can focus on relatively few routes, centered on a single hub, and servicing a smaller, more manageable passenger base. They don't have to be all things to all people -- as the national airlines do. Fewer routes means less potential for delays, missed connections, and other headaches, which can be a drag on Verb 1. drag on - last unnecessarily long drag out last, endure - persist for a specified period of time; "The bad weather lasted for three days" 2. the national carriers. Despite faring less than the foreign airlines, American, United and the other major U.S. carriers are "the workhorses of the sky, Zagat noted. They carry unbelievable numbers of travelers on a dizzying variety of routes across North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . A high volume of short, time-sensitive flights requires the use of narrow-body planes -- never a winner with passengers. Moreover, the average domestic flight lasts less than two hours, not much time for offering amenities, good food or personal service." Following American, United and Delta were mostly regional flyers, which overcame mediocre ratings by filling specific market niches with reasonable fares. Kiwi International (16.55) was praised for "cheap" rates and a "friendly, upbeat staff." Midway Airlines Midway Airlines can mean:
Wing and a Prayer At the other end of the scale, some airlines stay aloft mainly on budget pricing, or limited competition. Asian traditions of deferential deferential /def·er·en·tial/ (-en´shal) pertaining to the ductus deferens. def·er·en·tial adj. Of or relating to the vas deferens. deferential pertaining to the ductus deferens. service seem not to have extended to China Airlines. Rated by Zagat for the first time, the principal carrier for the Chinese mainland scored just 11.87, with passengers complaining of "lousy service" and "old planes" ("pray that it stays together"). Lower still came American carriers Tower Air (10.64--"cheap and they put you through the wringer wring·er n. One that wrings, especially a device in which laundry is pressed between rollers to extract water. Idiom: put (someone) through the wringer Slang To subject to a severe trial or ordeal. ") and Valujet (9.64--"cattle cars of the sky"). Barely clearing the treetops, with a 5.10 average, was the Russian Aeroflot, with "equipment older than Methuselah" that had one passenger quipping "quicker than Kevorkian." New to Zagat Frequent fliers will notice that the Survey's scope has widened considerably, with 19 previously unrated airlines added. New entries range from Indonesias Garuda to Icelandair, Korean Air This article or section is written like an .Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view. Mark blatant advertising for , using . , and the budget-minded Mexicana. Among first-time carriers taking high marks were Thai Airways, ranked No. 5 internationally with a 23.83 rating. Air New Zealand (No. 9 overall, rating of 23.28) had business-class customers cooing, "comfort is a lambswool-covered seat." Seoul-based Asiana offers "good competition" on Far East routes, smoothing the long way with "lots of food and drink"; Austrian Airlines Austrian Airlines AG is the flag carrier airline of Austria, headquartered in Vienna. It operates scheduled sevices to over 130 destinations. Its main base is Vienna International Airport, with a hub at Innsbruck Airport.[1] In 2006 Austrian had 10 million passengers. was likewise praised for "super food and service" and judged especially "good for short European hops." Delays, Cramped Seating, Poor Food are Chief Complaints Asked to name what annoys them most about airline travel, surveyors overwhelmingly picked "delays/waiting" No. 1 gripe gripe v. To have sharp pains in the bowels. n. 1. gripes Sharp, spasmodic pains in the bowels. 2. A firm hold; a grasp. . Delays were cited by three times as many respondents as No. 2 complaint, "cramped seating." The third biggest set of irritants related to food -- bad on-board cuisine or cutbacks in in-flight meal service. On the other hand, only a few surveyors complained about smoking policy, indicating widespread acceptance of the domestic smoking ban. Food is clearly the weak link in airline performance. The average food rating for all 61 airlines covered -- 15.69 -- lagged well behind average ratings for comfort (17.91), service (18.86) and timeliness (18.41). While carriers like Singapore, Cathay Pacific and Air France have raised in-flight dining to new heights, Aeroflot, with a 3.85 food rating, had a firm lock on last place, reportedly treating passengers to "a basket of apples for food" along with "water as the beverage--if they don't run out." Note: Participants in the airline poll were contributors to the upcoming fifth edition of the Zagat U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas Survey, a popular consumer guide to American business and vacation lodgings due out this June. The Airline Survey results and reviews will be published in full within the hotel guide. See charts for rankings and ratings of 61 airlines covered in the Survey. -0-
1997 Zagat Airline Survey
Contact: Allan Ripp 212-721-7468
Call if you would like full text of individual airline reviews.
TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
1997 1995 1997
Rank Rating Rating +/- Rating Voters
1. Singapore Airlines 26.84 25.85 +0.99 987
2. Cathay Pacific 25.07 23.39 +1.68 673
3. Swissair 24.92 23.93 +0.99 1072
4. Japan Airlines 24.20 22.96 +1.24 686
5. Thai 23.83 NA NA 451
6. ANA-All Nippon 23.74 22.18 +1.56 137
7. Qantas 23.59 22.41 +1.18 514
8. Air New Zealand 23.28 NA NA 439
9. SAS 23.10 NA NA 595
10. Virgin Atlantic 22.97 21.85 +1.12 895
NA = Not asked in 1995
TOP 10 DOMESTIC AIRLINES
1997 1995 1997
Rank Rating Rating +/- Rating Voters
1. Midwest Express 24.47 23.38 +1.09 490
2. Alaska 21.18 20.95 +0.23 1397
3. American 17.38 18.16 -0.78 6666
4. United 17.13 17.35 -0.22 5750
5. Delta 16.97 18.10 -1.13 6196
6. Kiwi 16.55 18.95 -2.40 435
7. Midway 16.27 16.43 -0.16 457
8. Reno Air 16.27 16.97 -0.70 474
9. Northwest 15.75 16.37 -0.62 2887
10. Aloha 15.74 15.99 -0.25 1093
The Overall Rating is the average of each airline's rating for
Comfort, Service, Timeliness and Food. All Zagat ratings are based on
a 30-point scale: 26-30 = Extraordinary to Perfection; 20-25 = Very
Good to Excellent; 16-19 = Good to Very Good; 10-15 = Fair to Good; 0-
9 = Poor to Fair.
-0-
1997 Zagat Airline Survey
Contact: Allan Ripp 212-721-7468
Call if you would like full text of individual airline reviews.
1997 AIRLINE OVERALL RATINGS(a)
Rank-Airline Rating Rank-Airline Rating
1. Singapore 26.84 32. Delta 16.97
2. Cathay Pacific 25.07 33. TAP Air 16.84
Portugal
3. Swissair 24.92 34. Alitalia 16.66
4. Midwest Express 24.47 35. Kiwi 16.55
International
5. Japan 24.20 36. Avianca 16.37
Airlines/JAL
6. Thai 23.83 37. Midway 16.27
7. ANA 23.74 38. Reno Air 16.27
8. Qantas 23.59 39. Northwest 15.75
9. Air New Zealand 23.28 40. Turkish 15.74
10. SAS 23.10 41. Aloha 15.74
11. Virgin Atlantic 22.97 42. Royal 15.56
Jordanian
12. Asiana 22.26 43. America West 15.52
13. Lufthansa 22.26 44. Southwest 15.48
14. Finnair 22.23 45. Iberia 15.46
15. KLM 22.05 46. Hawaiian 15.37
16. British Airways 21.94 47. Garuda 14.96
17. South African 21.61 48. TWA 14.84
18. Air France 21.20 49. Continental 14.42
19. Alaska 21.18 50. Mexicana 14.30
20. Austrian 20.87 51. BWIA 14.13
Airlines
21. Ansett of 20.07 52. USAirways 13.92
Australia
22. Aer Lingus 19.96 53. Aeromexico 13.72
23. Korean Air 19.23 54. Aero
California 12.99
24. Varig 19.19 55. Carnival 12.55
25. Air Canada 18.87 56. Olympic 12.17
26. Sabena 18.15 57. Air India 12.16
27. Icelandair 17.56 58. China Airlines 11.87
28. American 17.38 59. Tower Air 10.64
29. Philippine 17.28 60. Valujet 9.64
Airlines
30. El Al 17.23 61. Aeroflot 5.10
31. United 17.13
(a) The Overall Rating is the average of each airline s rating for Comfort, Ser Timeliness and Food. All Zagat ratings are based on a 30=point scale: 26-30 = }g [ V L to Perfection; 20-25 = Very good to Excellent; 16-19 = Good to Very Good; 10-15 = Fair to Good; 0-9 = Poor to Fair. CONTACT: Zagat Survey Allan Ripp, 212/721-7468 or Andrew Sprung, 212/721-3495 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion