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LONDON, UK – 9 April 2018 – UK airlines Jet2.com and Virgin Atlantic are today named Europe’s Best Low Cost Airline and Europe’s Top Major Carrier according to the Travellers’ Choice Awards for Airlines, announced by travel planning and booking site, TripAdvisor.
As well as the Best Low Cost Airline award, this year Jet2.com also takes the title of best airline in the UK and seventh best in the world – the only UK airline to be named among the world top ten.
In their second year, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for airlines identify travellers’ favourite carriers around the globe. In addition to the world list, the Traveller’s Choice awards recognise the best airlines in four distinct service classes: International First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of airline reviews and ratings submitted by travellers worldwide, over a 12-month period on TripAdvisor Flights. Each category awards one airline as ‘Best’ with a number of other airlines awarded as equal ‘Winners’ apart from in the case of the ‘World’s Best Airlines’ which ranks airlines from one to ten.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We are extremely proud to have received these four prestigious accolades from TripAdvisor, which show that Jet2.com is a world class performer when it comes to delivering the best customer experience. We have been beating the competition to win prestigious awards in the UK for some time, and now we are taking that success onto a global stage. The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for airlines are based on the experiences of paying customers, which makes them truly representative and all the more rewarding to receive as a result.
“The four awards are yet another endorsement of our commitment to delivering the best experience for our customers. Our family friendly formula, low fares, brand new aircraft and generous 22kg baggage allowance are very clearly working with customers, and all of that is complemented by the brilliant Jet2.com team who work tirelessly every day to look after our customers.”
Jet2.com and Virgin Atlantic also take prizes this year in the Class of Service categories, as does another UK airline, Thomson Airways. In Economy Class, Jet2.com is named Europe’s Best, while Virgin Atlantic is named a winner. For Premium Economy, Virgin Atlantic takes the top award with Thomson Airways, named a winner. In the Business category, it’s Russian airline, Aeroflot which is named Best in Europe but Virgin Atlantic places as a winner.
“The fact that three UK airlines have won in this year’s awards and one of those is named among the world top ten, shows just how well the UK industry is competing with some of the biggest players worldwide,” commented Katherine Clark, Regional Business Development Director, EMEA, TripAdvisor Flights.
The biggest winner in the awards this year is Singapore Airlines, claiming the title of top airline in the world. In addition, the airline boasts awards for Best First Class and Best Economy Class in the world.
Among the top ten best-rated airlines in the world Air New Zealand and Emirates come in at second and third place respectively. Asia holds the highest number of individual winners in the world top ten with four winning carriers – Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, EVA air and Korean Air).
Breakdown of winning airlines:
Best Airline – UK
Top Low Cost Airlines in Europe:
Top Regional Airlines in Europe:
Top Major Airlines in Europe:
Class of Service Global Winners:
Recognising airlines around the world that provide a consistently exceptional passenger experience in each cabin
Best First Class: Singapore Airlines, Singapore
Best Business Class: Qatar Airways, Qatar
Best Premium Economy: Air New Zealand, New Zealand
Best Economy: Singapore Airlines, Singapore
Top 10 Airlines in the World:
Recognising airlines around the world that provide a consistently exceptional passenger experience in each cabin
1. Singapore Airlines, Singapore
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “I flew from Sydney to Singapore in business class. The food was the best I have had in the last ten years. Service was great and the staff actually wanted to be there. One of the best, if not the best airline.”
2. Air New Zealand, New Zealand
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “The flight attendants are friendly, courteous, professional, and dedicated to customer service. The dinner was excellent, even in Economy class, and there was complimentary NZ red and white wine. Even the safety videos are entertaining. I wouldn’t fly any other airline between the U.S. and New Zealand.”
3. Emirates, United Arab Emirates
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “This airline is the essence of style, class and comfort. Everything I had expected was surpassed. From their presentation, to their service, which is professional, but does not override their personable approach to travellers. The Airbus is huge, but the atmosphere within is comfortable, seats are wider, windows are bigger.”
4. Japan Airlines, Japan
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “This airline carrier is exquisite and features great on board meal service, drink service, and the entertainment is great. They provide excellent service with exceptional leg room. This airline is truly above most others and comes with outstanding crew members.”
5. EVA Air, Taiwan
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “One of the things that separates EVA out from other airlines is in the little things. I was blown away by the novelty of the "Character" flight we took. Everything from the pillows to the meals - it was Hello Kitty cuteness overload. Kids’ meals are excellent. These small personal touches made our entire flight experience so much nicer!”
6. Southwest Airlines, United States
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “We choose to fly Southwest whenever we can. Their flights are on time and the service is friendly and efficient. We don't mind not having assigned seats. Bags fly free, and we always check ours. Frequent Flier miles are easy to accumulate with their membership program.”
7. Jet2.com, United Kingdom
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “We have just come back from Portugal and all I can say is what a fab service from Jet2. From start to finish, they made my holiday less stressful. I have never been with them before and can certainly say they’re better than most other companies I have been with.”
8. Qatar Airways, Qatar
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “I've travelled a lot in my life and Qatar is one of my favourite airlines to travel with. The bar in a380 (business class) is the best. The service regardless of class is fab. The treatment of frequent fliers is great... food very tasty for economy ... and very big portions… Entertainment is top notch. They are one of my favourite airlines for eco travel.”
9. Azul, Brazil
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “Azul is a lovely airline, employing a fleet of Embraer regional jets offering 2 + 2 seating. Service is efficient and you always get a package of "aviõezinhos" (airplane shaped gummy bears) to chew on the short domestic hops.”
10. Korean Air, South Korea
According to a TripAdvisor reviewer: “We travelled from Chicago to Hong Kong with our toddler, and could not have been more pleased with the experience. Basic economy on KA is basically economy plus on other (especially US-based) airlines. The flight staff actually made me like the experience, rather than detract from it. I’ll be flying KA whenever possible in the future.”
For the complete list of winners from the 2018 Travellers’ Choice awards for airlines, visit www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Airlines. Travellers can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #TravellersChoice.
To find great airfares and traveller reviews covering hundreds of airlines worldwide, visit TripAdvisor’s global Flight Search at www.tripadvisor.com/cheapflightshome.
Methodology
Winners were based on airline reviews submitted on TripAdvisor Flights or via one of TripAdvisor’s review collection partners from February 2017 to February 2018.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, enables travellers to unleash the full potential of every trip. With over 600 million reviews and opinions covering the world's largest selection of travel listings worldwide – covering approximately 7.5 million accommodations, airlines, attractions, and restaurants -- TripAdvisor provides travellers with the wisdom of the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to do and where to eat. TripAdvisor also compares prices from more than 200 hotel booking sites so travellers can find the lowest price on the hotel that's right for them. TripAdvisor-branded sites are available in 49 markets, and are home to the world's largest travel community of 455 million average monthly unique visitors**, all looking to get the most out of every trip. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better.
The subsidiaries and affiliates of TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) own and operate a portfolio of websites under 20 other travel media brands:
www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com.
* Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, October 2017
** Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique visitors, Q3 2017
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