I don't take SkyTrax ratings seriously. AC keeps flaunting the fact that they're "Best in North America". Best of the worst, they mean. Because of the US airline industry's precipitous nosedive in standards post-deregulation, Canada has followed suit.

I think one reason many people prefer Asian and Gulf carriers is because of their service. I think some of these people are simply hoity-toity and want to stroke their egos with feelings of superiority. I have no problems with having an egalitarian attitude towards service. I always treat anyone who provides me a service as an equal human being and I respect the fact that they have job requirements which mean that sometimes I can't get exactly what I want. AF has this attitude towards service and I usually find AF service to be quite satisfactory, unlike many of the American majority on FT. What I have a problem with is getting talked down to, which happens quite often on US airlines. I see this on AC less often, but it still happens.

At a fundamental level, it is the flawed cultural and social ideals in North America fueled by corporate greed and rampant consumerism which have caused the race to the bottom, demand for unrealistically low prices and financial insecurity across the board. AC's problems are further compounded by their complacency and the government's willingness to protect them to their demise.

I ought to buy you a drink next time I'm in YYC. ^