Best Airlines (OAG Awards)
Jan 20, 1999 | 8:49 am
#1
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Best Airlines (OAG Awards)
I haven't seen the whole report but would be interested. OAG Worldwide reported that Air Canada was voted Best Domestic North American Airline in the 1999 OAG Airline of the Year Awards. This is quite a feat considering the membership and travelling on U.S. airlines.
Emirates was Airline of the Year, while Air Canada placed 3rd in that category.
I would like to know the criteria, how many voted, etc etc. but I do think that Air Canada has improved substantially from the bad old days and is now an excellent carrier. I have heard that Emirates is also excellent.
Emirates was Airline of the Year, while Air Canada placed 3rd in that category.
I would like to know the criteria, how many voted, etc etc. but I do think that Air Canada has improved substantially from the bad old days and is now an excellent carrier. I have heard that Emirates is also excellent.
Jan 20, 1999 | 10:07 am
#2
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Here is Air Canada's Press Release:
AIR CANADA VOTED BEST NORTH AMERICAN DOMESTIC AIRLINE
MONTRAL - Air Canada has been voted the best North American domestic airline for both long- and short-haul travel in the 1999 OAG (Official Airline Guide) Airline of the Year Awards. At the ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, the airline also won the bronze award in the global Airline of the Year category as well as the silver award for its executive/business class within North America.
"We are very honored to be recognized by premium business travellers around the world," said Robert Milton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "It is a recognition for all our efforts and initiatives to provide superior world-class customer service. But the award also reminds us that consistently meeting our customers' expectations within our complex operational environment is a never-ending challenge."
The OAG awards are voted by top frequent flyer business travellers from around the world and organized by travel information publisher OAG. Since its inception 16 years ago, the OAG awards have become coveted industry honors. The profile of the voters represent the very essence of corporate business travel globally.
AIR CANADA VOTED BEST NORTH AMERICAN DOMESTIC AIRLINE
MONTRAL - Air Canada has been voted the best North American domestic airline for both long- and short-haul travel in the 1999 OAG (Official Airline Guide) Airline of the Year Awards. At the ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, the airline also won the bronze award in the global Airline of the Year category as well as the silver award for its executive/business class within North America.
"We are very honored to be recognized by premium business travellers around the world," said Robert Milton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "It is a recognition for all our efforts and initiatives to provide superior world-class customer service. But the award also reminds us that consistently meeting our customers' expectations within our complex operational environment is a never-ending challenge."
The OAG awards are voted by top frequent flyer business travellers from around the world and organized by travel information publisher OAG. Since its inception 16 years ago, the OAG awards have become coveted industry honors. The profile of the voters represent the very essence of corporate business travel globally.
Jan 20, 1999 | 10:30 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,065
OAG's European Press Release:
LONDON - JANUARY 19 1999: British Airways, Swissair and Virgin Atlantic today were among the European airlines winning accolades at the 1999 "OAG Airline of the Year" Awards, the air transport industry's premier global awards, voted for by frequent business travellers around the world and organised by travel information publisher OAG Worldwide.
The awards, announced simultaneously in Washington D.C., London and Hong Kong, saw British Airways win ten awards, including a global gold for its first class service; gold awards for best European airline and its frequent flyer programme in Europe; silver for best transatlantic carrier and bronze awards for its services to the Far East/Australasia and for its short-haul Executive/ business class. Emirates retained the title of "OAG Airline of the Year".
Swissair won nine awards, including a gold for best short-haul executive/ business class within Europe and the Middle East, and a silver for the same class globally. The Swiss carrier also won four other silver and three bronze awards.
Virgin Atlantic also made its mark on the awards by taking two gold and one silver award in the global categories and a further two golds and one bronze in the European awards. In the Transatlantic service it took gold, along with the long-haul executive/ business class, while taking bronze in the best European airline category.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines took silver for best service from Europe to the Far East/Australasia, also winning a bronze award for its Transatlantic service, and two further bronze awards within the European region. British Midland captured gold for its short-haul economy service within Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The importance of frequent flyer programmes to European travellers was emphasised by the
silver and bronze awards won by SAS and Sabena respectively, with British Airways taking gold.
Travellers aren't just concerned about their flight, placing emphasis on the airport as well, so airport awards also were included. Copenhagen Airport was voted best airport in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with Manchester and Amsterdam Schiphol taking silver and bronze. Copenhagen Airport also achieved a bronze award in the global "Airport of the Year" category.
Sandy Whetton, president of OAG Worldwide, says: "European carriers continue to offer high service standards, ensuring that they continue to compete effectively in a busy market-place.
British Airways, Swissair and Virgin Atlantic have all demonstrated that they can provide quality service on a global scale, which has been recognised in their awards this year."
Established over the last 16 years as a barometer of the views of UK business travellers, the
awards have become coveted industry honours. OAG Worldwide relaunched these awards for
1999 and extended the voting to frequent travellers around the world.
The profile of the voters - subscribers to OAG Worldwide's print and electronic travel
information services, including the OAG Pocket Flight Guides, OAG Flight Planners and OAG
FlightDisk - represents the very essence of corporate business travel globally. It is this which
differentiates the OAG awards from other award programmes.
All collection and analysis of data was developed and carried out by ACNielsen International
Research, one of the largest research consultancies in the world. The methodology was
developed specifically to ensure that all airlines and airports, irrespective of size, competed on a
level playing field, and the analysis of votes cast was conducted under strict market research
codes of practice.
[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 01-20-99).]
LONDON - JANUARY 19 1999: British Airways, Swissair and Virgin Atlantic today were among the European airlines winning accolades at the 1999 "OAG Airline of the Year" Awards, the air transport industry's premier global awards, voted for by frequent business travellers around the world and organised by travel information publisher OAG Worldwide.
The awards, announced simultaneously in Washington D.C., London and Hong Kong, saw British Airways win ten awards, including a global gold for its first class service; gold awards for best European airline and its frequent flyer programme in Europe; silver for best transatlantic carrier and bronze awards for its services to the Far East/Australasia and for its short-haul Executive/ business class. Emirates retained the title of "OAG Airline of the Year".
Swissair won nine awards, including a gold for best short-haul executive/ business class within Europe and the Middle East, and a silver for the same class globally. The Swiss carrier also won four other silver and three bronze awards.
Virgin Atlantic also made its mark on the awards by taking two gold and one silver award in the global categories and a further two golds and one bronze in the European awards. In the Transatlantic service it took gold, along with the long-haul executive/ business class, while taking bronze in the best European airline category.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines took silver for best service from Europe to the Far East/Australasia, also winning a bronze award for its Transatlantic service, and two further bronze awards within the European region. British Midland captured gold for its short-haul economy service within Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The importance of frequent flyer programmes to European travellers was emphasised by the
silver and bronze awards won by SAS and Sabena respectively, with British Airways taking gold.
Travellers aren't just concerned about their flight, placing emphasis on the airport as well, so airport awards also were included. Copenhagen Airport was voted best airport in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with Manchester and Amsterdam Schiphol taking silver and bronze. Copenhagen Airport also achieved a bronze award in the global "Airport of the Year" category.
Sandy Whetton, president of OAG Worldwide, says: "European carriers continue to offer high service standards, ensuring that they continue to compete effectively in a busy market-place.
British Airways, Swissair and Virgin Atlantic have all demonstrated that they can provide quality service on a global scale, which has been recognised in their awards this year."
Established over the last 16 years as a barometer of the views of UK business travellers, the
awards have become coveted industry honours. OAG Worldwide relaunched these awards for
1999 and extended the voting to frequent travellers around the world.
The profile of the voters - subscribers to OAG Worldwide's print and electronic travel
information services, including the OAG Pocket Flight Guides, OAG Flight Planners and OAG
FlightDisk - represents the very essence of corporate business travel globally. It is this which
differentiates the OAG awards from other award programmes.
All collection and analysis of data was developed and carried out by ACNielsen International
Research, one of the largest research consultancies in the world. The methodology was
developed specifically to ensure that all airlines and airports, irrespective of size, competed on a
level playing field, and the analysis of votes cast was conducted under strict market research
codes of practice.
[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 01-20-99).]
Jan 20, 1999 | 10:40 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,065
The Global Press Release:
EMIRATES TAKES GOLD AROUND THE GLOBE
London - January 19, 1999: Emirates has shown that its high standards are recognised by frequent travellers globally, by winning the 1999 OAG Airline of the Year Award, the air transport industrys premier global awards, voted for by frequent business travellers around the world and organised by travel information publisher OAG Worldwide. Singapore Airlines took the silver award and bronze went to Air Canada.
The awards, announced simultaneously at events in Washington D.C., London and Hong Kong, saw Emirates walk off with the global "OAG Airline of the Year" title for the second year in succession. Emirates also took gold for best Middle Eastern & Indian continent airline, for the tenth consecutive year.
Singapore Airlines won a total of 15 awards, more than any other airline, 11 of them gold. In the global categories, these included best transpacific airline; best from Europe to Asia Pacific; best short-haul executive/ business class; and best economy class in both short and long-haul categories. SIA also won six of the eight Asia Pacific categories, plus an additional silver award.
British carriers featured heavily in the global awards, with Virgin Atlantic taking old for best transatlantic carrier and best long-haul executive/ business class and silver for its long-haul economy class, while British Airways won gold for its first class for the second year running. British Airways also won silver for best transatlantic carrier, with bronzes for best airline from Europe to Asia Pacific and for its short-haul executive/ business class.
Singapore Changi airport retained the title of the worlds top international gateway by winning the best airport category for the fourth consecutive year. Cincinatti and Copenhagen took silver and bronze respectively.
Other global award winners included KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which picked up silver for its services from Europe to Asia Pacific and bronze for best transatlantic service. Qantas and Japan Airlines won silver and bronze respectively for best transpacific service, while Singapore and Swissair took the same awards for best first class service. In the category for best long-haul executive/ business class, Singapore Airlines took silver and Continental Airlines won bronze.
In the regional categories, Air Canada triumphed with both long-haul and short-haul domestic airline awards for North America, while Varig continues to win its laurels for best Caribbean, Central and South American airline.
British Airways won gold for best European airline, while South African Airways took gold for best African airline. Singapore Airlines won best Asian airline, with Qantas taking gold for the Pacific region.
Copenhagen won best airport Europe, Africa and Middle East region, with Manchester and Amsterdam close behind. Singapore Changi won gold in Asia Pacific, Osaka Kansai and Melbourne taking silver and bronze, while in the Americas, Cincinnati beat off strong opposition from Denver and Orlando.
EMIRATES TAKES GOLD AROUND THE GLOBE
London - January 19, 1999: Emirates has shown that its high standards are recognised by frequent travellers globally, by winning the 1999 OAG Airline of the Year Award, the air transport industrys premier global awards, voted for by frequent business travellers around the world and organised by travel information publisher OAG Worldwide. Singapore Airlines took the silver award and bronze went to Air Canada.
The awards, announced simultaneously at events in Washington D.C., London and Hong Kong, saw Emirates walk off with the global "OAG Airline of the Year" title for the second year in succession. Emirates also took gold for best Middle Eastern & Indian continent airline, for the tenth consecutive year.
Singapore Airlines won a total of 15 awards, more than any other airline, 11 of them gold. In the global categories, these included best transpacific airline; best from Europe to Asia Pacific; best short-haul executive/ business class; and best economy class in both short and long-haul categories. SIA also won six of the eight Asia Pacific categories, plus an additional silver award.
British carriers featured heavily in the global awards, with Virgin Atlantic taking old for best transatlantic carrier and best long-haul executive/ business class and silver for its long-haul economy class, while British Airways won gold for its first class for the second year running. British Airways also won silver for best transatlantic carrier, with bronzes for best airline from Europe to Asia Pacific and for its short-haul executive/ business class.
Singapore Changi airport retained the title of the worlds top international gateway by winning the best airport category for the fourth consecutive year. Cincinatti and Copenhagen took silver and bronze respectively.
Other global award winners included KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which picked up silver for its services from Europe to Asia Pacific and bronze for best transatlantic service. Qantas and Japan Airlines won silver and bronze respectively for best transpacific service, while Singapore and Swissair took the same awards for best first class service. In the category for best long-haul executive/ business class, Singapore Airlines took silver and Continental Airlines won bronze.
In the regional categories, Air Canada triumphed with both long-haul and short-haul domestic airline awards for North America, while Varig continues to win its laurels for best Caribbean, Central and South American airline.
British Airways won gold for best European airline, while South African Airways took gold for best African airline. Singapore Airlines won best Asian airline, with Qantas taking gold for the Pacific region.
Copenhagen won best airport Europe, Africa and Middle East region, with Manchester and Amsterdam close behind. Singapore Changi won gold in Asia Pacific, Osaka Kansai and Melbourne taking silver and bronze, while in the Americas, Cincinnati beat off strong opposition from Denver and Orlando.
Jan 20, 1999 | 11:48 am
#5
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
I will get to read the OAG press release eventually, but I notice NO U-S carriers scored high on this survey.
Congratulations to your Air canada, BlondeBomber. I will always remember that carrier for the most personable flight attendant! CATMAN
Congratulations to your Air canada, BlondeBomber. I will always remember that carrier for the most personable flight attendant! CATMAN
Jan 20, 1999 | 11:59 am
#7
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To reiterate from Merry's post:
Singapore Airlines won a total of 15 awards, more than any other airline, 11 of them gold. In the global categories, these included best transpacific airline; best from Europe to Asia Pacific; best short-haul executive/ business class; and best economy class in both short and long-haul categories. SIA also won six of the eight Asia Pacific categories, plus an additional silver award.
Non U.S. Star Alliance (Varig, Thai, Ansett, Air New Zealand and Air Canada won awards) (and is Singapore Airlines in waiting?) and Oneworld carriers did quite well globally.
U.S. Airlines do need to buff up their image and make some fundamental changes in the way they present themselves. Continental seems to have been rewarded for some moves in this direction--it was the only one to win a global award (bronze for long-haul business class)
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 01-20-99).]
Singapore Airlines won a total of 15 awards, more than any other airline, 11 of them gold. In the global categories, these included best transpacific airline; best from Europe to Asia Pacific; best short-haul executive/ business class; and best economy class in both short and long-haul categories. SIA also won six of the eight Asia Pacific categories, plus an additional silver award.
Non U.S. Star Alliance (Varig, Thai, Ansett, Air New Zealand and Air Canada won awards) (and is Singapore Airlines in waiting?) and Oneworld carriers did quite well globally.
U.S. Airlines do need to buff up their image and make some fundamental changes in the way they present themselves. Continental seems to have been rewarded for some moves in this direction--it was the only one to win a global award (bronze for long-haul business class)
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 01-20-99).]
Jan 20, 1999 | 12:36 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,065
My congratulations go to Emirates.
But let me just air this though: Emirates the "Airline of the Year" ("as recognised by frequent flyers globally") doesn't have a Frequent Flyer program or participate in any millage schemes!
It could make one suspect that all those miles/points and bits of plastic and call centers detract from service - but that couldn't possibly be true could it?
MF
[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 01-20-99).]
But let me just air this though: Emirates the "Airline of the Year" ("as recognised by frequent flyers globally") doesn't have a Frequent Flyer program or participate in any millage schemes!
It could make one suspect that all those miles/points and bits of plastic and call centers detract from service - but that couldn't possibly be true could it?
MF
[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 01-20-99).]
Jan 20, 1999 | 12:55 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 1,433
this doesn't say much for African airlines, does it?
I don't think SAA had much in the way of competition - and I don't think that they would have won a gold medal if they were competing in any other region...
I don't think SAA had much in the way of competition - and I don't think that they would have won a gold medal if they were competing in any other region...
Jan 20, 1999 | 1:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,065
BlondeBomber:
"OneWorld carriers did quite well globally", let us just count up:
Star-Alliance:
1 for Varig
1 for SAS
5 for Thai (1 global)
1 for Air New Zealand
0 for Lufthansa
4 for Air Canada (1 global)
1 for United
1 for Ansett
Total for Star Alliance = 14 (2 global)
OneWorld:
10 for British Airways (5 global)
0 for Canadian Airways
4 for Cathay
6 for Quantas (1 global)
6 for American Airways
Total for OneWorld = 26 (6 global)
I think "quite well" may be an understatement!
MF
PS: Singapore won't be joining StarAlliance unless BA sells it's shareholding!!!
[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 01-20-99).]
"OneWorld carriers did quite well globally", let us just count up:
Star-Alliance:
1 for Varig
1 for SAS
5 for Thai (1 global)
1 for Air New Zealand
0 for Lufthansa
4 for Air Canada (1 global)
1 for United
1 for Ansett
Total for Star Alliance = 14 (2 global)
OneWorld:
10 for British Airways (5 global)
0 for Canadian Airways
4 for Cathay
6 for Quantas (1 global)
6 for American Airways
Total for OneWorld = 26 (6 global)
I think "quite well" may be an understatement!
MF
PS: Singapore won't be joining StarAlliance unless BA sells it's shareholding!!!
[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 01-20-99).]
Jan 20, 1999 | 1:50 pm
#15
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Merry: Singapore is a de facto alliance member (for me) by virtue of its partnerships (including frequent flyer considerations) with the main alliance carriers I fly (Lufthansa, Air Canada and Air New Zealand). Don't be surprised if the impossible does happen. With Singapore tacked on to Star Alliance they would get 29 awards in total making it comparable to Oneworld.
Yes I will concede that Oneworld stacked up quite well -- but then it doesn't seem to be acting much like an alliance now does it? They seem to be having start up problems. Let's hope that they get coordinated soon. There's nothing like competition to improve our lot.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 01-20-99).]
Yes I will concede that Oneworld stacked up quite well -- but then it doesn't seem to be acting much like an alliance now does it? They seem to be having start up problems. Let's hope that they get coordinated soon. There's nothing like competition to improve our lot.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 01-20-99).]