Australia's favourite airline revealed

[Greg McDonald]

From news.com.au:

SINGAPORE Airlines has been voted Australian's favourite international carrier in a survey by consumer group Choice.

It was followed by Japan Airlines and Emirates when it came to flying to the UK in the survey of 9000 Choice members.

British Airways ranked last thanks to its poor scores for cost and in-flight service.

Virgin Blue's full-service carrier V Australia ranked best for price for people travelling to the United States and was only second to Singapore for overall satisfaction.

It was followed by Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines and Qantas while United Airlines ranked last.

Emirates was the best when flying to New Zealand, followed by Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue, Qantas and Jetstar.

Jetstar ranked lowest or second lowest for people travelling to Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan.

Common gripes from members who have flown with Jetstar to Asia include delayed departures, late arrivals and poor communication.

Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the number of customers travelling on the airline had grown dramatically over the past year and it must be doing something right.

He said it was now the third largest international carrier to Australia after Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

"We have a very vibrant and fast developing international operation," he said.

The survey asked members to rate their satisfaction for their most recent international flights in various areas, including cost, in-flight service, seat comfort, leg room, timeliness, food quality and check-in process.

Choice said when browsing international flights online people should clear their cookies and refresh their page as the prices for flights on some sites increase if you navigate away from the page and return later.

It also said you check out at least three airlines before you book.

"Passengers who have flown to the UK on the new A380s for example, say the aircraft have wider seats with a deeper pitch, which can make the difference between getting some sleep and being awake for 24 hours," a Choice spokeswoman said.

British Airways was unable to comment yesterday.

[Grahame Hutchison]

"Choice", believe it or not !

NOT

[Will H]

SINGAPORE Airlines has been voted Australian's favourite international carrier in a survey by consumer group Choice.

It was followed by Japan Airlines and Emirates when it came to flying to the UK in the survey of 9000 Choice members.


I'm confused how JAL got put into the mix of going to the UK. Sure, SYD-NRT-LHR is only 100 miles longer than going via DXB (and that doesn't take into account layovers), but the number of pax routing that way is minuscule.

Interesting to hear V was second overall.

[Andrew P]

Choice said when browsing international flights online people should clear their cookies and refresh their page as the prices for flights on some sites increase if you navigate away from the page and return later.

an interesting comment

[lloyd fox]

I'm confused how JAL got put into the mix of going to the UK. Sure, SYD-NRT-LHR is only 100 miles longer than going via DXB (and that doesn't take into account layovers), but the number of pax routing that way is minuscule.

SYD is not the only city JAL fly out of.:p

BNE-NRT-LHR is very popular.

[Michael Cleary]

Not being able to see the actual Choice report without spending money, you do wonder if the media twist it a bit when reporting.

The SMH version has this within it:

To the US, new trans-pacific Virgin Group airline V Australia was narrowly edged out for top spot by Singapore Airlines (80 versus 81 overall), but V Australia scored significantly higher on value for money at 88, against Singapore Airlines' 72.

So, people are paying to fly from AU to the US via Singapore (and with a stop in Tokyo on the way)???

A quick check reveals that to depart on 8 May and return on 8 June would cost AUD 2723 (including a whopping 817.40 on taxes) at a minimum and take around 36 hours (a big gap in Singapore). Only if you are in desperate need of bumping up your KF points I think.

I know SQ are good, but I would bear with one of the other options for around 14 hours and pocket the difference in the fare.


Choice indeed, not worth the subscription to their site.

[Montague S]

A quick check reveals that to depart on 8 May and return on 8 June would cost AUD 2723 (including a whopping 817.40 on taxes) at a minimum and take around 36 hours (a big gap in Singapore). Only if you are in desperate need of bumping up your KF points I think.



you are quoting for peak period, so what is your point about the price? I have flown the majors nonstop across the pacific from Sydney & Melbourne and via Asia and Tokyo....I'll take the Asia & Tokyo route everyday.

[Laurent Sanhard]

Ba got the rough end of the stick !! , I would rate them as one of the best for in-flight service , as for cost , I have only flown them from UK , so the fare was cheaper than flying from AUS, interesting survey:cool:

[Michael Cleary]

Montague, I probably should have worded it differently.

I was just rather surprised that from the "9000 Choice members" that were said to have been surveyed, that (the SMH says) a majority (enough to put it at the top) have selected SQ ahead of the 4 Airlines that operate direct.

As to the price, I just grabbed a couple of dates at random, but a look now shows UA at AUD 1051 for the same dates (and QF at AUD 2431 !!). Prices of course fluctuate wildly these days, so on a given date, SQ could well be the cheapest. Even a RTW ticket can work out cheaper than the Trans-Pacific fares sometimes.

Like all surveys, it probably depends on how the questions are asked - and just how the responses are collated.

With the time to spare, a one or two stop trip via Asia is an attractive idea, especially when some Airlines offer a free or heavily discounted Hotel room along the way.

[Will H]

SYD is not the only city JAL fly out of.:p

BNE-NRT-LHR is very popular.

And DXB isn't the only stopover point and LHR isn't London's only airport. ;)

And JAL's 767 to BNE and 777 to SYD can't compete with the scores of Emirates and Etihad flights, let alone CX and SE Asia carriers.

[Graham F]

I think some of you are being a bit unkind to Choice. I am a member and have on occasions been asked to survey a particular product or service. There surveys are far more representative than the minuscule surveys done by companies which might only be a 10 person focus group or a survey of maybe 100 people. A survey of 9000 would produce highly significant answers.
I have not yet seen the article mentioned but Choice usually include a statistical measure saying something like "any difference less than 5% is not significant". I would refrain from commenting until I see the article and not rely on what newspapers have done to a press release.
I should also point out that companies hate Choice because they cannot influence the results.

[Grahame Hutchison]

I should also point out that companies hate Choice because they cannot influence the results.

Companies may not (maybe they can) be able to influence Choice, but that does not stop Choice having its own political agenda on a particular topic. I speak from first hand experience.

[lloyd fox]

Well they probably lost some more passengers to this choice survey if they had another one today

This was on the 9 news last night and AFP were called as quite a few angry pax.

Another Qantas aircraft has had a mechanical problem, with an engine fault grounding a flight out of Brisbane Airport.

QF15 was scheduled to leave for Los Angeles at 11am yesterday when a problem was discovered with the wiring in one of the 747's engines, the airline said.

The problem was fixed by the afternoon but the aircraft was forced to stay put overnight because the crew members' shift was due to end.

The 386 passengers were sent home in taxis or put up in hotels, with the flight now due to depart at 10.30am today.

Also yesterday, a Qantas flight was delayed for five hours in Perth after a defect was discovered in a wing flap.

A replacement was installed and the aircraft left for Brisbane at 1pm (WST), Qantas said.

On Tuesday a Sydney-Singapore flight was forced to turn back when a pilot discovered a problem in one of the engines.

On Wednesday, a superjumbo suffered two tyre blowouts while landing at Sydney Airport.

Qantas said the situations were not emergencies, and no passengers were put in danger at any time.

[Mike W]

C'mon. It's only natural to root for the "Home Team" but let's face it, being the best is far more than just being a local. QF certainly have their time but competition doesn't stop at one place. That's only good for us and if you choose Qantas as your airline of Choice (no pun intended), then as they hopefully respond to this competition and improve, then you will be the beneficiaries.

As for JQ? Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the number of customers travelling on the airline had grown dramatically over the past year and it must be doing something right. Yes Simon, the answer I believe is related to the numbers after the $ sign. My signature is partly true due to having travelled on this airline and referenced it against others.

[Tony G]

you are quoting for peak period, so what is your point about the price? I have flown the majors nonstop across the pacific from Sydney & Melbourne and via Asia and Tokyo....I'll take the Asia & Tokyo route everyday.

Agree.I have flown both with KAL and JAL to europe and both provide a stopover at a nice airport hotel. I think it a its a great way to fly and feel rested. The service on both airlines was great.

[Ash W]

There surveys are far more representative than the minuscule surveys done by companies which might only be a 10 person focus group or a survey of maybe 100 people. A survey of 9000 would produce highly significant answers.


Except of course that a survey of 9000 people who subscribe to a consumer affairs magazine is hardly going to be representative of the population as a whole.

[Garry Emanuel]

Should we remember the numbers that fly versus the number that were surveyed/participated/responded ?

In the general population, those that reply to such surveys are ones with either an outstanding experience to report or the exact opposite - rarely the average user that has a neutral experience. More to the point, without a baseline reference, such surveys can be very "unhelpful" to both the "good" and the "bad" as there is no "line drawn under what each respondent deems to be a "good or bad" experience.

I find Choice to be very reliable and a valuable source of information when "they" do the research. The articles they provide that rates products (and services) is very helpful when making decisions on what to buy.

I find the "user surveys" to be considerably less helpful and in many instances biased - both positively and negatively ! ! ! !

I am sure most of the carriers rated would find a positive in the outcomes reported. As a consumer and Choice subscriber, I find there to be very little of value in this report.