Hainan Airlines Holds Five-Star Rating for 13th Year, Secures Triple Win at World Award 2024

Alongside accolades for staff service and business class comfort, the carrier also celebrates a major safety milestone and expanded service offerings

On June 24, SKYTRAX, the global airline and airport service evaluator, unveiled the World Award 2024 in London, UK, with Hainan Airlines receiving the prestigious SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline accolade for its exceptional services and products for the thirteenth consecutive year. The carrier also triumphs in three categories: Best Airlines in China, Best Airlines Staff Service in China, and Best Business Class Comfort Amenities. Ding Yongzheng, Chairman of HNA Aviation Group, attended the World Award Ceremony.

Edward Plaisted, Chairman of Skytrax said: "We congratulate Hainan Airlines on the fabulous achievement of winning the Best Airline in China award for a remarkable thirteenth time. Their success in winning the Best Airline Staff Service in China award is a great reward for both the management and front-line staff of Hainan Airlines. Their final award for the Best Business Class Airline Amenities underlines the importance they place upon providing business class customers with the highest comfort levels onboard flights."

Mr. Zhu Tao, Chairman of Hainan Airlines said,"We are deeply honored to receive three prestigious awards at the 2024 World Award. This recognition is not only for Hainan Airlines' consistent efforts in product innovation, but also for our staff. With forward-looking concepts, Hainan Airlines works on innovative service models by technology and strives for eco-friendly operations. In the future, Hainan Airlines will promote this honour through five-star service, continuously pursuing excellence to provide travellers with safer, more convenient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly travel experiences."

Since joining the Liaoning Fangda Group, Hainan Airlines has begun a new chapter in its growth trajectory. By the end of February 2024, the airline had achieved a significant milestone of 10 million consecutive safe flight hours, earning the prestigious "Flight Safety Diamond Award" from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Hainan Airlines has also intensified its route recovery efforts, expanding its route network and enhancing its service offerings. Its commitment to safe, efficient, and high-quality aviation services has garnered widespread praise and favour among travellers.

Hainan Airlines continues to bolster the recovery of international routes and to broaden its network. For the 2024 summer and autumn seasons, the airline will operate nearly 500 domestic routes and over 40 international and regional routes, providing service to multiple cities across Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and beyond.

Saudia wins The World's Most Improved Airline at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, was named ‘The World's Most Improved Airline’ and ranked number one for the Best Economy Class Airline Catering at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

The event was hosted by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, known for its evaluation of the global airline industry. The World Airline Awards are based on a comprehensive global customer satisfaction survey conducted over several months, covering more than 375 airlines worldwide.

In recent years, Saudia has demonstrated unparalleled progress in its rankings, earning the title of ‘The World's Most Improved Airline’ for the third time. Saudia’s remarkable trajectory has seen its ranking surge over the past seven years, leaping from 82nd  place in 2017 to 23rd in 2023, and achieving the 20th position in 2024.

Saudia’s ‘SHINE’ transformation program has been instrumental in accomplishing this remarkable achievement as the initiatives are focused on elevating the guest experience, optimizing operational efficiency, and enhancing its service and product offerings, followed by the launching of Saudia’s new era of digital transformation and cutting-edge technologies. These efforts have propelled Saudia to rank among the top 10 airlines globally in On-Time Performance (OTP) throughout 2023, maintaining this position for six consecutive months. Notably, in May 2024, Saudia was ranked among the top five for arrival On-Time Performance (OTP-A) and first globally for the highest departure On-Time Performance (OTP-D).

Porter Airlines is North America’s Best Regional Airline........

Porter Airlines was selected as Best Regional Airline in North America at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

The category includes airlines that primarily or exclusively fly within North America. Over 100 countries participate in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to select the award winners. This year’s presentation ceremony was held in London, England.

“Porter has redefined air travel for 17 years. As our network quickly expands across North America, we are offering economy travellers an overall experience they will not find with any other carrier, like free beer and wine served in glassware, a selection of free premium snacks, high-quality fresh meal options, plus free streaming WiFi for all passengers,” said Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines. “We also understand that a quality product must be accompanied by the highest level of service and genuine hospitality. This prestigious award speaks to the unwavering commitment from our team members to provide this for all of our passengers.”

Porter continues to challenge the definition of economy air travel across North America by emphasizing an overall elevated economy experience on board. This includes a two-by-two configuration on every aircraft, ensuring no middle seats on any flight. The distinct regional service that Porter has developed since 2006 is the foundation for this standard in a network that now stretches across North America.

In the past 18 months, the airline has:

Hired more than 2,000 new team members

Taken delivery of 35 new Embraer E195-E2s

Total fleet size of 64, including 29 Dash 8-400 aircraft

Announced dozens of new routes and 20 new destinations

The airline now flies as far west as Victoria and as far east as St. John’s in Canada. It is also making further headway into the U.S., currently with five destinations in Florida, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Phoenix will also launch this winter.

“We congratulate Porter Airlines on this great achievement in being named the Best Regional Airline in North America at the 2024 Awards. This global region is a very competitive market, and Porter Airlines success demonstrates the success of their product that is so well supported by excellent staff service,” said Edward Plaisted, CEO, Skytrax.

Skytrax introduced the category for Best Regional Airline in North America in 2014. Porter is also one of only three carriers in North America to qualify for Skytrax’s Official 4-Star Rating, recognizing airlines that deliver overall quality performance.

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Delta ranked No. 1 in the annual Business Travel News Airline Survey for the 11th year in a row

Corporate travel professionals have rated Delta No. 1 in the annual Business Travel News Airline Survey for the 11th year in a row by a wide margin, citing the airline’s responsiveness to customers as well as its flexibility-minded approach throughout the pandemic and beyond.

"Delta's historic 11th consecutive Business Travel News award is because of the Delta people who go the extra mile every day for our customers,” said Steve Sear, E.V.P. – Global Sales and Distribution. “We've spent the past year working tirelessly to ensure our customers are comfortable returning to the skies. We continue to prioritize and make investments that improve and elevate the travel experience – from curb to claim – while delivering exceptional service to all of our travelers.”

The survey asks corporate travel professionals to rank airlines on range of key attributes, including customer service, distribution, and pandemic response. Delta not only led all categories – the only airline to sweep for eight consecutive years – it also built on its scores year-over-year.

Based on survey feedback, Delta’s business customers cited the following as most valued in 2021:  

Eliminating change fees, allowing free standby for same-day changes and introducing more refundable fare products.

Extending Medallion Status and key SkyMiles benefits into January 2023 to give the airline’s most loyal customers more flexibility.

Continuing to prioritize health and safety by maintaining and evolving the Delta CareStandard with the help of customer feedback and guidance from Chief Health Officer, Dr. Henry Ting. 

Increasing staffing across the operation by 8,000 people, hiring new employees in Airport Customer Service and Reservations & Customer Care, as well as pilots and flight attendants.

More award wins for Air Canada despite the challenging year

APEX 5-Star rating reflects performance based on passenger feedback

Global Traveler’s Best Airline in North America received for second straight year

Forbes lists the airline among world’s best places to work

Loyalty360 Platinum award for Innovation in Corporate Social Responsibility

 

There is no doubt that 2020 has been one of, if not the most challenging of years for the airline industry, however, despite this tumultuous year, the Canadian airline Air Canada still managed to gain a Five Star rating in the Global Airline category by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and by being named the Best Airline in North America by Global Traveller for the second straight year. These honours are the latest in a series of awards affirming Air Canada’s accomplishments in key aspects of its business, including customer service, human resources, corporate social responsibility and investor relations.

“COVID-19 has required us to rethink the total travel experience from start to finish, to ensure all our customers’ and employees’ safety while providing a comfortable journey. Being accorded a Five Star rating by APEX and named Best Airline in North America by Global Traveler based on customer feedback is the most gratifying and appreciated recognition. I would like to sincerely thank our customers for their unconditional support in these extraordinary and challenging times and our dedicated employees for their perseverance and hard work. These recognitions demonstrate that we are strongly positioned, as we continue to adapt and innovate through the twist and turns the recovery promises”, said Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.

American Airlines Voted Best Cargo Airline — Americas for 11th Consecutive Year

Rick Elieson, President of American Airlines Cargo, left, accepted the
Best Cargo Airline Americas award
from event host and travel writer Simon Calder.

For the 11th year in a row, 

American Airlines was named Best Cargo Airline — Americas by the readers of industry-leading publication Air Cargo News. The airline accepted the award at a gala dinner in London April 26. The awards, now in their 35th year, are recognized as some of the most prestigious honours in the air cargo sector. Over a two-month period, more than 20,000 global supply chain professionals voted for the airline they thought provided the best overall customer experience and service in each region.

“American is honoured to be awarded Best Cargo Airline — Americas by readers of Air Cargo News and is grateful to all of the leaders in the air cargo industry who voted for us,” said Rick Elieson, President of American Airlines Cargo. “This award underscores the strong relationships our team members have built with our customers and their commitment to providing the highest level of care as they safely and reliably transport more than 2 billion pounds of freight and mail around the world each year.”

Airline of the year 2018 - Air New Zealand

Congratulations to Air New Zealand for taking the top mantle Airline of the Year for 2018 from a safety and product rating Australian website. Yes, the airline of the year 2018, now we know Perth Australia is ahead of us here in the UK, but we didn't think it was that far ahead!

So even before the year has begun, Air New Zealand has won for a record fifth time in the AirlineRatings.com ratings.  The airline is being honoured for its record-breaking performance, multi-award-winning in-flight innovations, operational safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff. These factors have stamped the airline as a clear industry leader. (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the number of free flights they might  bung in the direction of Airline Ratings editor in chief Geoffrey Thomas) 

Seriously though, AirlineRatings Airline Excellence Awards are judged by six editors with over 180 years' industry experience, combines major safety and government audits, with 12 key criteria – up from nine last year - that includes: fleet age, passenger reviews profitability, investment rating, product offerings, and staff relations.

Photo AirlineRatings.com

AirlineRatings Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said: "In our objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance."

Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon, pictured left with Geoffrey Thomas receiving the award,  said: "This award is a testament to the huge effort from all of our people to deliver a world-class Kiwi experience on the ground and in the air. It is extremely rewarding to see their hard work recognized by such an experienced panel of aviation judges."

"Air New Zealand is committed to redefining the customer experience and we are looking forward to unveiling many exciting new initiatives in 2018."