The Industry's first rating program based solely on berified and certified passenger feedback.
LONG BEACH, CA USA – The top airlines from around the world gathered in Long Beach, California, for the announcement of the industry’s most anticipated honor, the Official Airline Ratings, the first airline rating program based solely on verified and certified passenger feedback. The Airline Passenger Experience Association(APEX), the only non-profit membership trade association dedicated to improving the entire airline passenger experience, announced the airlines honored with four and five star Official Airline Ratings.
The Official Airline Ratings recognizes airlines in three categories:
- Global Airlines: Airlines with a large number of wide-body aircraft covering the globe
- Major Regional: Airlines covering a significant region of the globe
- Low Cost Carriers: Airlines that self-identify as being low cost carriers
APEX partnered with TripIt from Concur, the world’s highest-rated travel-organizing app, to gather anonymous passenger feedback based on verified travel itineraries. Using a five-star scale, more than 500,000 flights were rated by passengers from around the world between 24 October 2016 and to 31 July 2017. First, passengers rated their overall flight experience and then were given the opportunity to provide ratings in five subcategories: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and Wi-Fi. The overall ratings were certified by an external auditing service hired by APEX and used to establish the airline’s Official Airline Ratings.
“We are extremely proud of the results of our 100% verified passenger driven Official Airline Ratings program with TripIt,” said APEX CEO, Joe Leader. “Of 470 airlines rated worldwide, 12% of airlines reached five-star status and 14% reached four-star status in their respective categories.”
A four-decade old international trade association, APEX represents the world’s leading airlines, suppliers and related companies, working to elevate the passenger experience. APEX airline members will receive exclusive access to the anonymous feedback provided by the airline’s passengers, which can be used to curate best practices and improve in-flight experiences for travelers.
The Award Ceremony, hosted by Brian Kelly, CEO and Founder of The Points Guy, took place during APEX EXPO, the industry’s largest PaxEx event exclusive to experts and decision-makers committed to elevating the level of the worldwide airline passenger experience. The conference attracts more than 4,000 industry professionals, including representatives from more than 100 airlines, and showcases most comprehensive display of airline related technologies, products and services. APEX EXPO co-located with International Flight Services Association (IFSA) Conference & EXPO, and Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) Americas.
Four and Five Star Recipients of the 2018 Official Airline Ratings (All Listed in Alphabetical Order)
Five Star Global Airlines
- Aeroflot
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways
- Asiana
- Austrian
- Cathay Pacific
- China Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- EVA Air
- Garuda Indonesia
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines Group
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- SWISS
- Turkish Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Five Star Major Regional Airlines
- Aegean Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- Air Astana
- Alaska Airlines
- AVIANCA
- Avianca Brasil
- Bangkok Air
- Belavia – Belarusian Airlines
- Caribbean Airlines
- Cayman Airways
- COPA Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Icelandair
- LATAM Airlines Ecuador
- Middle East Airlines (MEA)
- Olympic Air
- Virgin Australia
- Vistara
Five Star Low Cost Carriers
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- GOL
- JetBlue
- Nok Air
- Southwest Airlines
- Sun Country
- Thai Smile
- Virgin America
- WestJet
Four Star Global Airlines
- Aeromexico
- Air Canada
- Air France
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Finnair
- KLM
- LOT Polish Airlines
- SAS
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- South African Airways
- TAP Portugal
- Thai Airways International
- United Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
Four Star Major Regional Airlines
- Air Serbia
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Bahamasair
- Batik Air
- Blue Air
- Brussels Airlines
- Bulgaria air
- Cathay Dragon
- Croatia Airlines
- Egyptair
- Fiji Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Hong Kong Airlines
- Jet Airways
- Kenya Airways
- La Compagnie
- LATAM Airlines Argentina
- LATAM Airlines Brasil
- Luxair
- Malindo Air
- Oman Air
- Royal Brunei
- Royal Jordanian
- S7 Airlines
- Silkair
- SriLankan
- TAROM
Four Star Low Cost Carriers
- Air Baltic
- AirAsia
- Allegiant Air
- Citilink
- Eurowings
- Flynas
- Germanwings
- Interglobe Aviation
- Interjet
- Jeju Air
- Jet Lite (India) Limited
- Jet2.com
- JetStar Asia Airways
- Jetstar Japan
- Monarch Airlines
- Norwegian Air International
- Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Scoot Private Limited
- SpiceJet
- Thai AirAsia
- Thai Lion Air
- Tiger Airways Singapore
- Transavia Airlines
- Vanilla Air
- Wizz Air Hungary
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
