BlondeBomber

The survey (Business Traveller Magazine, winners announced last week) shows some of the flaws in surveys. Note who are some of the best and worst for international travel. How can you be in the top 5 in both best and worst unless it is strictly a numbers game?

Delta is 4th worst for international business travel, 6th best business class and 4th best for overall international travel.

United is 5th worst for international business travel, 2nd best overall for international travel and international business class.

Worst Airline for International Business Travel
1. Aeroflot (1)
2. Northwest Airlines (T6)
3. TWA (2)
4. Delta Air Lines (3)
5. United Airlines (4)

Best Airline Overall for International Travel
1. Singapore Airlines (1)
2. United Airlines (3)
3. British Airways (2)
4. Delta Air Lines (4)
5. Swissair (6)
6. American Airlines (5)
7. Virgin Atlantic Airways (T11)
8. Cathay Pacific (8)
T9. KLM (10) Lufthansa (T11) Continental Airlines (7)
10. Japan Air Lines (JAL) (T17)

Best International Business Class
1. Singapore Airlines (1)
2. United Airlines (3)
3. British Airways (2)
4. Continental Airlines (5)
5. Virgin Atlantic Airways (8)
6. Delta Air Lines (4)
7. American Airlines (6)
8. Swissair (T10)
9. Cathay Pacific (T10)
T10. KLM (T9) Lufthansa (11)

Merry

BB: This is a fantastic example of what happens when you count votes rather than 'score' an airline.

I thought this about another recent series of awards, but galently decided not to comment!
MF

Rudi

I (don't mind) repeat(ing) myself: I only believe in statistics that I did falsify myself.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 02-08-99).]

megamiles

The OAG awards use a "score" based methodology so that smaller airlines are not discriminated against (which were the other recent awards referred to)

These I presume are using a survey "vote" based methology.

(added later) yes, Blonde I am also avoiding triggering a messy debate - hence the charming term - "smaller airline"

[This message has been edited by megamiles (edited 02-08-99).]

BlondeBomber

I think Merry was thinker closer to our talking home for the awards he was referring to (but I won't go there even though I am already there).

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 02-08-99).]

Merry

I think the OAG Awards were spot on.

I think the awards which loose all credability are those where the United/Continental/AA/Delta 'block-vote' is allowed to come into play.
MF

Catman

Remember, surveys are just one way of measuring what SOME people who answer them
feel.

It does not reflect what We as individual flyers like and dislike.

I like BlondeBomber's choice of words: Defy Belief. I'm trying to figure out what that means to be super at one catagory and horrible at another.

It's like saying our beloved MEG is a gifted commedianne but but a horrible actress. (which SOME alleged critics say.)

This of course is hereacy! CATMAN

JAWS_II

I'm with Rudi! Liars figure and figures lie!

MileageAddict

You know folks, I could give a hoot about all these awards and surveys. I fly enough to know which airlines take good care of me and which ones I try to avoid. Same goes with hotels and rental cars. As with any other business I encounter through life, I stick with the ones that treat me right.

kokonutz

Of course, MA is right. My thought, though, is that it would be interesting to have a (somewhat) unbiased source sample each of the airlines in various classes of service throughout a year for this Board, and provide anecdotal ratings on the service. I always prefer real life stories to "statistics," even though they are incomplete and reflect only a particular event on a particular day, because they give a human element to the analysis, and always create a forum for interesting discussion/debate. Its why I LOVE reading restaurant reviews!

I'll volunteer if someone will underwrite the venture