Croatia Airlines, Air Serbia and Adria Airways have been named among Eastern Europe's best carriers at the prestigious World Airline Awards, hosted by Skytrax, at the Farnborough Air Show yesterday. For the first time, three of the largest carriers from the former Yugoslavia have been featured among the best in the category, while Air Serbia and Adria were also named among the continent's top regional airlines. Croatia Airlines was voted Eastern Europe’s fourth best airline, Air Serbia came seventh, while Adria positioned itself as the eight best. As a result, the Croatian and Slovenian carriers retained their positions from last year, while Air Serbia made its debut. In the process, the trio managed to outperform the likes of Romania's TAROM and Russia's Pobeda. Aeroflot was awarded the title of Eastern Europe’s best carrier for a second year running, followed by LOT Polish Airlines and S7 Airlines. Croatia Airlines was trailed by ČSA Czech Airlines and Wizz Air.
BEST AIRLINES IN EASTERN EUROPE
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aeroflot |
| 2 | LOT Polish Airlines |
| 3 | S7 Airlines |
| 4 | Croatia Airlines |
| 5 | ČSA Czech Airlines |
| 6 | Wizz Air |
| 7 | Air Serbia |
| 8 | Adria Airways |
| 9 | TAROM |
| 10 | Pobeda |
Air Serbia and Adria Airways were both among the top ten best regional airlines in Europe. According to Skytrax, the category is the most important global quality distinction for airlines. For these World Airline Awards, regional airlines were defined as full service carriers that primarily operate domestic or International flights up to approximately six hours. Air Serbia settled for seventh place, while Adria came behind in eighth, ahead of Olympic Air and Aigle Azur. Ultimately, Aegean Airlines was named the best regional carrier, followed by Air Nostrum, Air Malta, S7 Airlines and Luxair. It is the second year in a row that Adria has featured in the category and the first for Air Serbia. None of the carriers from the former Yugoslavia were ranked among the world’s top 100 airlines. Croatia Airlines, which came 99th in 2014, failed to make the list this year. Montenegro Airlines is the only carrier from the former Yugoslavia not have been featured in any of the several dozen categories.
BEST REGIONAL AIRLINES IN EUROPE
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aegean Airlines |
| 2 | Air Nostrum |
| 3 | Air Malta |
| 4 | S7 Airlines |
| 5 | Luxair |
| 6 | ČSA Czech Airlines |
| 7 | Air Serbia |
| 8 | Adria Airways |
| 9 | Olympic Air |
| 10 | Aigle Azur |
The World Airline Awards, described as "the Oscars of the aviation industry", are the most coveted quality accolades for the world airline industry and a global benchmark of airline excellence handed out based on passenger experience. The survey operated online between August 2015 and May 2016, with 19.2 million customer surveys completed, across a range of topics, resulting in the awards for airline of the year, together with regional and best airline awards. More than 104 different nationalities participated in the customer satisfaction survey, which covered over 280 airlines, from largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers. The surveys measure standards across 41 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service. The survey customer voting processes and Airline Awards results analysis were independently assessed in detail by the UK Advertising Standards Authority.
BEST AIRLINES IN EUROPE
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turkish Airlines |
| 2 | Lufthansa |
| 3 | Air France |
| 4 | Swiss Int. Air Lines |
| 5 | Austrian |
| 6 | KLM |
| 7 | British Airways |
| 8 | Finnair |
| 9 | Virgin Atlantic |
| 10 | Norwegian Air Shuttle |
Overall, Turkish Airlines was once again named as Europe’s best carrier. Star Alliance, of which both Croatia Airlines and Adria Airways are members of, was awarded for the best alliance in the aviation industry, outperforming last year's winner Oneworld. Emirates was named the world’s best airline, taking the title over from last year’s victor Qatar Airways. Thai Airways was the industry's most improved, while Air Asia is the world's best low cost airline. This year marked only the fifth time any airline from the EX-YU region made it into the awards list and the third time a carrier from the region was featured in two categories. Earlier this year, Skytrax named the world’s best airports, with Belgrade and Skopje ranking fifth and ninth in Eastern Europe respectively.
WORLD'S BEST AIRLINES
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 1 | Emirates |
| 2 | Qatar Airways |
| 3 | Singapore Airlines |
| 4 | Cathay Pacific |
| 5 | ANA |
| 6 | Etihad Airways |
| 7 | Turkish Airlines |
| 8 | Eva Air |
| 9 | Qantas |
| 10 | Lufthansa |
I'm sure the comments will turn nasty but for what it's worth congrats to all three. It's nice that all three of them have done well. Hopefully they win a category next time and try to improve services.
ReplyDeleteNo offence but how does Adria make it onto the list where until recently you had to pay for a bottle of water on board?
ReplyDeleteTrue you pay for food which is standard in most European airlines nowadays. But they have quite good service, nice crew, free inflight entertainment system so it's not bad. Still better than sister Austrian in my opinion.
DeleteOh and also their cabins and planes are all relatively new (CRJ fleet) and in good condition.
DeleteI just went into the skytrax website and the first review that popped up was about Adria (probably the latest review on the website). This sums up the airline well.
Delete"The airline did its job. It got me to my destination on time. It is an impressive and efficient small airline that made the journey very pleasant".
Montenegro Airlines service is on part with most airlines in ex-yu. It is interesting they didn't get a single mention anywhere.
Delete*I meant "on par"
DeleteInteresting that Etihad has ended its boycott of these awards. They accepted awards yesterday. Won in three categories.
ReplyDeletethey only aacept if they are winning. Its either win or whine. mimimimi
DeleteI think there is quite a big difference in service between OU, JP and JU so it is odd that they are all ranked so closely.
ReplyDeleteHaving flown Wizz on numerous unavoidable occasions, and not being a fanboy of any of the 3 flag carriers, the placing of W6 in front of JU - hahaha, yeah right! Sorry but JP, JU and OU are waaaaay better than šizzair
ReplyDelete+10000
Deleteim not too sure about it
DeleteWrong estimation. Wizzair has newer planes, less delays, better stuff. Of course it is a LCC and you have to pay 2€ for a bottle water and maybe it is not represented at some main airports. Legacy carrier: you pay the bottle in the ticket-price (several hunder times) and mostly you fly not intercontinental, so a smaller airport is often same good for reaching your destination. I am speaking with some flying experiences (100x wizzair, 50x jat/air serbia, 30x easyjet, 20x qatar, 20x swiss, 10x ryanair, 10x lufthansa, air-france, klm, emirates, air asia, jetstar…)
DeleteYou sound like Radovan boosting about all his travels. ;-)
Deleteempiric data Hombre, just empiric data! You can't compare anything without a significant number of tries
DeleteOh irony please stop killing me.
ReplyDeleteWhat's ironic?
DeleteI will just say ADRIA
Deletei wonder why YU3 didn't make top 100, i mean they certainly offer better products then American Eagle, TAAG and some other listed. it must be that those payed more then YU3
ReplyDeleteIsn't Skytrax based on voting? I think a number of winners and high-ranked carriers receive their votes from people who never boarded on an airplane in their life but still vote because they see it as their patriotic duty.
DeleteIMHO the two so-so relevant lists here are Best regional airlines in Europe and Best airlines in the world. The other two are highly doubtful.
Skytrax lists still mean something It's good for reputation. So congratulations.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Skytrax, Air Serbia, Adria Airways and Croatia Airlines are all three star airlines, except Air Serbia's rating is being reviewed.
ReplyDeleteActually I just noticed that Croatia Airlines' ratings are being reviewed as well.
DeleteSkytrax says Adria does best in Friendliness and service hospitality and Responding to customer requests. Worst in Staff Language skills.
Air Serbia could be bumped up to 4 star, don't think Croatia's rating will change.
DeleteMaking changes to service is not that difficult. With a new owner that is not afraid to invest some money, OU could easily do extremely well (their starting point is much better than with what Etihad had to deal with when they started transforming Jat). Adrid is good too but having flown with them many times I have actually also noticed that their staff language skills are quite low which is a surprise. Don't know if it has to do from which country you get your Adria crew but fully agree with that rating from Skytrax.
DeleteEveryone knows that in order to win here you just have to pay Skytrax. Been that way for years.
ReplyDeleteand if that is true, you really think that several hundreds of airlines would still participate in this award? and that this will not be in media already?
Deletetypical mentality in which if we are not the best something is fishy, because no one can be better than us if everything is regular.
+1 to the last comment.
DeleteThere is more transparency in the Etihad-JAT deal than in the way Skytrax operates. Reviews are highly moderated and hand picked by administrators, allowing them to tailor a perception of each airline. They accept payments from airlines and are not a public company. They have been criticized for all of this many times.
DeleteReally? And most of media, professional associations, organizations, institutions, all important air companies, airports, supporting companies, universities, scientists... take their awards as real and relevant.
DeleteBut who are they, you are the one who should evaluate them!
I sent my review of Air Serbia about two years ago. Most ratings were around 4 stars. Skytrax never published my review. This is my only proof something is wrong with review selection and Skytrax voting system. I am not using Skytrax for airline info any more.
DeleteAnd you base your evaluation that "Reviews are highly moderated and hand picked by administrators, allowing them to tailor a perception of each airline. They accept payments from airlines and are not a public company. They have been criticized for all of this many times." on one comment of yours that was not published???? Congratulation
DeleteAnon at 4:20 WTF r u talking about? I wrote the comment at 4:02 but NOT the comment at 10:54! I have nothing to do with that comment.
DeleteI created my opinion on Skytrax review system based on exclusion of my reasonable and moderate review. If my comment is not there, why would I trust Skytrax with any other review? They might have created all other reviews by themselves for all I know.
Since then, I look at photo trip reports available on other sites, and look for more than one review if available. Those are far more detailed, with many pictures to prove the point and allow you to form your own opinion before choosing an airline. I also look at seat charts from seatguru and other sites as they are more important to me than other features.
Skytrax review system is a dinosaur compared to photo/video trip reports and reviews. Sure, Skytrax is big now, but is not open and is not innovative. You know what happened to dinosaurs?
I have never flown Croatia Airlines. Can anyone describe their service? Do you get a meal? What's the crew like? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFlew with them a fair bit, service is ok not spectacular, you don't get a food as per say you get cheese and olives and salty cracker forgot the name of the thing. soft drinks or water.
DeleteFlight attendants are sometimes rude, and act like they've got the job for life.
I've never flew with Air Serbia so can't compare. I fly with OU cause they're cheapest, not cause they're the best. I don't need aeroplane food, unless I fly yo US/Canad, Asia, there's no need for food on-board, soft drinks and water yes, I drink loads of water and I got annoyed look by a flight attended for asking for a 2nd glass of water. She was like how dare I, this was on flight to Paris.
I was like you took my water bottle, wtf I suppose to have, ffs.
Otherwise flight was on time, and service was ok.
Cool :)
ReplyDeleteI voted for Turkish. Flew with them many times. Excellent service, food, cabins. Really above average in Europe.
ReplyDeleteTotally disagree. One of the below average airline.
DeleteIf Adria and Croatia Airlines are that good, why don't they have a surge in passengers and open new routes.
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines launched over five new routes and its passenger numbers are growing steadily.
DeleteEven if they had not launched new routes what kind of correlation does that have with being listed at an awards ceremony?
DeleteIt would be interesting to see the exact perimeters they were ranked on.
ReplyDeleteMy breakdown:
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia: dedicated business class, dedicated airport lounge, above average catering with menus, not part of alliance, in flight entertainment and wifi.
Croatia Airlines: no dedicated business class, no dedicated airport lounge, no inflight entertainment, part of alliance.
Adria Airways: no dedicated business class, no dedicated airport lounge, inflight entertainment, part of alliance, pay-on board service, new aircraft, pay for luggage.
to add:
Delete- Air Serbia part of fleet is ancient (ATR and 737-300), long-haul, problem with timing, not so good connectivity to huge hubs (frequencies are 2 times per day or less), more routes and flights than others, more feeding routes then others, routes just from Belgrade
- Croatia average age of fleet, no long-haul, excellent connectivity to FRA, VIE, MUC (4-5 times per day from ZAG and few times per day from other Croat airports), good connectivity to ZRH, BRU (3 times per day from ZAG and few times per week from other Croat airports), 2 times per day to CDG, AMS, LHR from ZAG + from other airports from Croatia, domestic routes (2-5 times per day), lot of routes from other Croat airports
- Adria, several other bases, no domestic routes, no flights from other Slovenian airports
Yeah but if you are going to mention JU's older aircraft then we might as well add that OU sends its turboprop to destinations such as BRU and CPH. This alone is a very big minus.
DeleteAlso JFK was severely late last week, most flights depart more or less on time but even if they are late they more than compensate inflight.
True about OU to BRU and CPH.
DeleteThis ranking makes no sense whatsoever.
ReplyDelete1. Air Serbia is a far better airline than Croatia
2. Turkey is not even in Europe so i don't see how TK can be an 'European airline', it should actually rank against those from the Gulf/Middle-East
3. Aegean service is crap
The only list that makes sense is the world awards, where i'd still put Qatar ahead of Emirates but anyway the contrast is not as stark as between JU and OU/JP
You should learn some geography first. And if you maintain continuous education over a period of time you may become able to write a comment that makes sense.
DeleteTeach me please?
DeleteSo far, this is what geography says, i see no Turkey:
Deletehttps://www.biketours.com/photos/BTC1511_Map_Graphic_EUROPE.png
No more than Gibraltar would make the UK an African country.
DeleteGibraltar is in Europe and in particular it is part of the Iberian peninsula. It is not in Africa.
DeleteBUT I agree here with Aerologic. Only 3% of Turkey is in Europe, the rest of it is in Asia.
Aerologic 6 consecutives skytrax awards that AEGEAN has, do not agree with you that their service is crap...Aurevoir
DeleteHaving a map from biketours.com and saying Turkey is not in Europe is as dumb as saying that Gibraltar is in Africa.
Delete97% of Turkey is in Asia, 3% of it is in Europe.
DeleteAerologic is a known chauvinist who has long been teaching the visitors of this blog his visions of the world. The guy hates Turkey, TK and IST and never misses an opportunity to preach how Turkey does not belong to Europe and how TK is not an European airline. The fact that Skytrax and the rest of the aviation world clearly see Turkey in Europe does not bother him too much - he keeps steady course on his mission.
DeleteA chauvinist troll and a disgrace to this blog.
I understand AEROLOGIC, he is just bitter that inspite all this effort that Airserbia has done all these years has won nothing from any airline organization. But what can we do that's life, perhaps next year.
DeleteWell many people hate Turkey nowadays (understandable). I would name at least 10 reasons why but don't want to hurt feelings of some Turkish fanboys here (nor breach site rules).
DeleteI think Anonymous 4:35 PM is what is disgracing this blog.
DeleteUnfortunately, my dear YYZ, there is nothing "understandable" in hating entire countries or nations. If you are from Serbia you should be the first to know just how wrong this is! Pity that you and a couple of your friends around here are typical narrow minded Balkaners who like to thrash and bash everyone and have zero respect for humanity.
DeleteThe online experience onboard JU as opposed to OU/JP is miles ahead. This is on the Airbus planes. Anyone denying that has either not flown with each of the three, or has never flown at all.
Delete*flying experience, not online experience. Sorry.
Delete@3:24PM
DeleteI interchanged it with Ceuta in Spain having other things on my mind (some of us work @Anonymous) but anyway, the message is clear.
So anyone who can look at the map and knows some history is a chauvinist to you?
DeleteThere is nothing European about Turkey notwithstanding <3% of territory and more so by the day, therefore i see no sense in putting them into it.
Domestic airport to Turkish is Istanbul Ataturk airport. It is Europe.
DeleteThen call them Yesilkoy or Bakirokoy Airlines but not Turkish Airlines, please.
DeleteCalling Turkish a European airline is an insult to the intelligence, it's like calling Beauvais a Parisien airport, it's nothing more than a marketing trick, accept it like that.
DeleteAEROLOGIC calm down, as I said before it's a pity that AIRSERBIA has won nothing but what can we do that's life. At least they got into some lists for the first time,maybe next year.
DeleteTurkish Anon 7:06 don't be upset. Next year and the year after that just like this year and all previous years TK will be winning comfortably the "award" for least safety oriented European airline.
DeleteWith the least professional operation and the worst safety culture!.
So the ASL hater brigade is not the only one on this blog. Good to know they have company to play with.
DeleteAnon 8:06 PM I'm not upset, infact I'm glad that you admit TK is a european airline, so all the fuzz before has no point. Thank you.
DeleteSo in the unlikely event that the new IST airport was built on the Asian side, you'd agree that TK is a Middle-Eastern airline?
DeleteNot smart enough try better! I don't talk with hypothetical scenarios. Goodnight.
Delete@10:19PM
DeleteThe European Comission wouldn't agree with you.
The fact that 97% of Turkey belongs to Asia/Middle-East is all but a hypothetical scenario. Talking of hypothetical scenarios, it seems to me much less likely than that fact changes, than an Asian airport being built as a base for TK or SAW being expanded.
Delete@10:19PM
DeleteAre you trying to say that Turkey is an European country??? The respective airline belongs to the country/continent whose name it bears, period.
This voting isn't based on objective criteria, but on subjective passanger impressions of the airline, the crew, overall flight experience, the state of the planes...etc.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all three and especially to OU. Maybe this finally shuts up certain commentators "objective" views about OU being all but dead and buried, it's only a matter of time before OU gets bankrupt, they are no good at anything...blah, blah. Naturally those are the same who equally "objectively" claim that ASL is the best thing this world has seen since iPhone came out, lol!!
iPhone is crap as well.
DeleteMichael,
DeleteYou said it yourself - the voting and the rating is not objective. Accordingly, OU's ranking is not objective either and you cannot use it as an argument for anything.
The only thing you can do - and you did it well as always - is use today's news feed (and any given day's news feed) do show us how badly you hate ASL. Good for you.
This voting isn't based on objective criteria, but on subjective passanger impressions of the airline, the crew, overall flight experience, the state of the planes...etc.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all three and especially to OU. Maybe this finally shuts up certain commentators "objective" views about OU being all but dead and buried, it's only a matter of time before OU gets bankrupt, they are no good at anything...blah, blah. Naturally those are the same who equally "objectively" claim that ASL is the best thing this world has seen since iPhone came out, lol!!
@ Michael 1219
DeleteWell said and totally agree
OU is as good as dead under current management unless they come up with a rational and sustainable business strategy.
DeleteOk lot of people seem to be passing a lot of judgment here so I am interested who do people here think is the best airline in Europe?
ReplyDeleteI think there are no real good airlines in Europe except Aeroflot or tiny ones such as Air Malta simply due to the market environment/conditions under which they operate, we've seen it with Air Serbia, the drop in the level of service since the beginning. Right now on all the flights on less than 2 hours you get basically nothing.
DeleteI agree with the comment above. I do think Aeroflot is currently above the rest. Finnair is also a very good airline but not so much on short haul flights. Alitalia has improved a lot too but nowhere near the best.
DeleteOk then AEROLOGIC how would you describe your ideal inflight service of an average airline?
DeleteIt's difficult to judge. Most European airlines have crap inter European service where you have to pay for everything. Long haul is a different story.
DeleteI flew with Aeroflot from BEG to Moscow 10 months ago. Vacuum packed sandwiches and water or juice. Service came just once. Cramped. No lights dimmed during flight (flight departed BEG after midnight). The flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg was a bit more roomy, but the catering was as basic as it gets. Cabin crew, moderately friendly. Nothing that would indicate rthat this is the "best" airline in Europe.
DeleteTo sum it up, I take these subjective Skytrax reports with a great pinch of salt.
That's interesting. I think on JU you get an actual full hot meal service to Moscow.
Delete@2:42PM
DeleteWhat was the aircraft to MOW, 738 or A320? They seem to have switched to 738 completely when it comes to their Belgrade flights.
Don't know about Moscow but from LED and back two weeks ago we had a choice of two meals in economy, one traditional Serbian meal and one standard. Plus drinks and later tea and coffee. I bought the ticket during a promotion and it was real value for money. Much better than Aeroflot to tell you the truth, at least on this instance.
DeleteWhat were the loads?
DeleteIt was full from LED, C class as well. A week later I would day around 80% from BEG, 2 in C.
DeleteFor me, the BEG-MOW was a 738. MOW to LED and return was A321. My return flight from MOW to BEG was with Air Serbia. Full warm meal and bar service on JU. Nothing like that on Aeroflot.
DeleteDobre Vesti za ASL .
ReplyDeleteJedino da se zamene ATR avioni i sigurno bi bile bolje ocene . Airbus Flota je najmladja od svih EX YU Kompanija pa je to takodje plus za ASL.
INN-NS
As you can probably see for yourself OU is above JU in the rankings.
DeleteGood for them. But when are they going to improve the passenger experience with onboard wifi and movies, as well as a dedicated business class lounge ?
DeleteOK airbus fleet is younger than Croatia one, but again you publish lie!
DeleteAir Serbia airbus fleet 11,8 years
Adria airbus fleet 9,9 years
Croatia Airbus fleet 17,2 years
But that does not meter if you have planes old as 30 years (733 30,5 year, ATR 20,8 years)
all together:
Adria 9,4 years
Croatia 13,2 years
Air Serbia 17,2 years!!!!!
And that is what is important! Not just one model of plane which is 47,6% of your all fleet.
Last troll (as well as the first one),
DeleteINN-NS did not mention OU in a single word in his post. Not sure what kind of PTSP troubles you two but you should really seek some cure for it. Croatia is not under attack. Repeat, Croatia is not under attack. You are not being called to defend it. Those "zovi, samo zovi" voices only exist in your mind.
JU's Boeings are sued for charter flights, which is really fine. From 2018, JU will get 20 new Airbuses A320, which will propel it to the top of the fleet comparisons, affording it the youngest and most advanced fleet. The only critical point are the 2 ATR's from the 80's. The rest is more than satisfactory.
DeletePardon, 10 new planes. Typo.
DeleteThats it!
DeleteYou book Air Serbia and then you get Aviolet with ancient 737-300s.
JU will start getting NEOs from the 2nd part of 2018 on. There is no published schedule and last 733 might get replaced in 2018 or in 2020, we don't know that.
DeleteUnlike other some airlines like LH that operate 20+ year old planes with completely refurbished cabins, JU 733 cabin looks and feels old. Granted, no loose screws and no grumpy grandma FAs any more, but 99% of regular passengers don't care how old is the plane as long as it looks and feels fresh in the cabin. For them, JU 733 is not satisfactory. If they bought Air Serbia ticket to Stuttgart expecting fresh looking A319 with wifi and Elevate Play but got 733 with old cabin and none of entertainment, they are righfully not satisfied.
And even if 733 was satisfactory back in 2013 or 2014, it is no longer. Bar must be raised. I can't have same sales quota as last year and Air Serbia can't claim 733 is satisfactory any more. It is paid off but JU has to kick the habit, same for ATR -200 series.
^Well said.
DeleteJel se vama dize na ovo prepucavanje? I ovom Inn-NS i ovom mali marko tj Inn-HR...
DeleteSlican se slicnom raduje.
What makes Adria and Air Serbia "regional" airlines and not Croatian Airliens according to Skytrax? Using Skytrax's own definition, all three must be regional. And if OU is already placed better in Eastern Europe list, how can they not be placed better than JP and JU in the Regional list?!?! Is Skytrax low on common sense?
ReplyDeleteOU is also a regional airline, they just did not make it into top 10.
DeleteIf all three are both listed as Regional and airlines in Eastern Europe categories, how can OU be placed ahead of JP and JU in the category addressing region of Eastern Europe, but behind them in Regional Airlines category? It makes no sense.
Delete