NEEDHAM, Mass., April 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers’ Choice® awards for airlines, identifying travelers’ favorite carriers around the globe. For 2018, Singapore Airlines was named the number one airline in the world and Southwest Airlines ranked as the best U.S. carrier. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of airline reviews and ratings submitted by travelers worldwide, over a 12-month period on TripAdvisor Flights.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Travelers’ Choice awards for airlines, the 2018 award categories expanded to honor 69 airlines that provide exceptional value and service across the world. In addition to the world list, the Traveler’s Choice awards recognize the best airlines in seven regions including Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, South Pacific & Oceana, Africa & Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. The awards also recognize the top airlines in four distinct service classes: International First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy. The hallmarks of Travelers’ Choice award winners are outstanding service, quality and value.
“We’re thrilled to recognize the global TripAdvisor community’s favorite airlines and shine a spotlight on the carriers around the world that provide the very best flying experiences,” said Bryan Saltzburg, senior vice president and general manager for TripAdvisor Flights. “As the airline industry introduces new fare products and a widening array of in-flight offerings, consumers continue to seek out the carriers that deliver value and a quality experience. The Travelers’ Choice awards for airlines recognize the carriers that exceed passenger expectations and receive top marks from travelers.”
“We are honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Best Airline in the World title in the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Airlines 2018. The award is a validation of the hard work and dedication of our thousands of staff all around the world, who focus their attention every day on ensuring that Singapore Airlines remains competitive on a global level,” said Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Mr. Goh Choon Phong. “Our business model is based around three main pillars – product leadership, service excellence and network connectivity. We are continuing to invest heavily in all three areas to ensure we have industry-leading offerings that meet and exceed our customers’ expectations, both on the ground and in the air.”
“It’s an honor to receive several TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards for Airlines including being the only U.S.-based carrier named a top ten airline in the world,” said Ryan Green, Southwest Airlines vice president and chief marketing officer. “The real winners today are our more than 120 million customers who put their trust in Southwest to get them to wher they need to be safely, on time, and with the world-renowned hospitality our 60,000 Southwest employees provide.”
