Qatar Airways heads up awards for the "front" of plane service, with Singapore Airlines in 2nd place and Cathay Pacific 3rd.

		Qatar Airways wins the 2007 Award for world's Best First Class service
	"Global survey ..... multi-national interviews ..... Global awards"

"Our smallest survey section in terms of respondent numbers, the award for Best First Class is nevertheless a true top quality accolade, recognising in many respects what should be the pinnacle of both product and service for any airline that provides a First Class cabin" commented Edward Plaisted (CEO of the research organisation Skytrax).

"This is not an award based purely on the quality of champagne or caviar served, or how long an airline's flat bed may be in their First class cabin - it is very much an examination of the complete package that goes to make up the typical First Class experience. This is an extremely competitive market, and whilst there is a trend for some airlines to substitute First Class for a 'Premium' business class, those that retain First Class know that to win support and loyalty you have to offer that little bit extra - something that is truly special" added Plaisted.

"All round excellence is the most accurate description of a good First Class service, and with customer's paying very high fares for this privilege, airlines know that to retain loyalty they have to be looking to exceed every level of expectation - creating the feel-good factor, and making the customer feel special".

"This year we have seen a jump into the top spot by Qatar Airways, and this is clearly recognition of their new Premium Terminal facilities at the home base airport in Doha, geared totally towards the premium customers. Lufthansa is another airline to offer such a facility, and whilst Lufthansa scored well in the First Class lounge section, their onboard First Class product does not match the likes of Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines".

"Next year will surely also hold some further surprises for us, since by that time customers will have had the chance to experience the yet to be unveiled First Class cabin onboard Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 - the first airline to operate this double-decker aircraft type".

Result publication allowed with prior consent of Skytrax



 

Survey respondents nominated airlines for Best First Class based on Quality attributes, including items below:

  Check-in facilities & services
  First Class lounge facilities & services
  Airport Services - Priority & Service assistance
  Onboard : Cabin seats
  Onboard : Comfort & Amenities
  Onboard : Inflight Entertainment
  Onboard : Catering standards & Options
  Onboard : Staff Service Efficiency
  Onboard : Staff Service Characteristics
  Onboard : Staff Service Consistency
  Arrivals : Priority & Service assistance

Any further enquiries should be directed to:

Mr Peter Miller
Marketing Director
SKYTRAX RESEARCH
E-mail: miller@airlinequality.com