"Premier Traveler" Magazine Applauds Four Stellar Airlines -- Singapore, Asiana, ANA and Hainan -- and One Exceptional Charit...
November 15 2012 - 12:24PM
Marketwired
It was a night to applaud great achievements: A November 9th gala
at the soignée Sofitel Los Angeles celebrated the airlines, hotels
and service providers voted Best of 2012 by 10,000 Premier Traveler
magazine readers. Editor-in Chief Ally Miola took center stage
alongside actor-writer-director Chad Michael Murray to honor
airlines including
Singapore, Asiana, ANA and
Hainan, and to kick off the magazine's annual
fundraising efforts for Ronald McDonald House New York providing a
temporary "home-away-from-home" for pediatric cancer patients and
their families.
Singapore Airlines took three awards,
including Airline with the Best First Class
Service in the World. Yachting is the pastime passengers may
recall flying Suite Class on this world-renowned carrier. "The A380
is some of the most expensive real estate in the world," says James
Boyd, Vice President, Public Relations. "So we engaged a designer
of luxury yachts, who must accomplish the same goals, to help us
utilize every square inch."
To create an atmosphere that is comfortable and comforting, both
crucial to passengers aloft, Boyd notes, Singapore Airlines takes
inspiration from stars in a variety of fields: Celebrity Chef
Alfred Portale contributes the cutting edge culinary concept of
bathing dishes in a 'nage,' herbed broth, to soften the drying
effects of altitude, and Suite Class has hand stitched armchairs in
the style of master Italian craftsmen at Poltrona Frau. And even if
competitors may ultimately match the high end hardware and systems,
personalized service is the foundation of Singapore Airlines' win
for Best In-Flight Services in the World and
Airline with the Best Economy-Class Service in the
World, supported by its hub Changi
Airport voted Best Airport
in the World. "When passengers tell us our longest haul
flights are their favorites," says Ken Bright, Vice President of
Marketing-Americas, "we feel that's a testament to our cabin crews:
their training, the selection process -- only 10% of those who
apply are chosen -- and their dedication."
Flying Asiana Airlines, which took honors for Best Airline to Asia, Best Flight Attendants in the
World and Best Airline Advertizing
Campaign, can be a magical experience. Literally. Teams of
flight attendants help passengers pass the time on long-haul
flights with magic tricks, caricature sketches, mini facials and
"The Delighter," a cultural pageant that revolves around 5,000
years of traditional Korean fashion. Will the sushi chef be on
today's flight? Will I have time for a manicure and makeup
consultation? We board every Asiana Airlines plane with a sense of
charmed anticipation.
"Since our inauguration in 1988, Asiana has been centered on the
philosophy of achieving customer satisfaction," says Mr. Tae-Keun
Han, executive vice president of Airport and Cabin Services. "And
it's this foundation that motivates the Korean carrier to take
in-flight entertainment to new heights."
Does it seem as though business people travel on their stomachs?
We know there's more to ANA's win for
Best Trans-Pacific Business Class Service
than the food: There's staggered seating to give many passengers a
window AND an aisle, and a flock of new Boeing 787 Dreamliners
waiting in the wings. Still, it takes some serious culinary chops
to win an award for Best Airline Cuisine:
Dishes like the thick, savory breakfast omelet redolent of earthy
kudzu root from the two Michelin star chefs at Sekiyou, a
traditional Japanese hot springs inn. "This is just one part of
ANA's Inspiration of Japan," promises Yuji Hirako, Senior Vice
President, ANA The Americas, "that transforms an airline cabin into
a memorable one-of-a-kind traveling experience."
Another airline that goes the extra mile is Hainan Airlines, voted Best Airline in
China. "Our people work hard day after day to provide
personalized service to all our customers, and know many of them by
name," says Managing Director, North America, Joel Chusid. "Those
with special needs are especially looked after by our in-flight and
ground staff. Still," Chusid notes, "as a fast-growing airline with
global expansion plans, we are not immune to criticism. So when
customers do contact us with a concern, we respond promptly and
take it as a challenge to resolve the situation and avoid a
recurrence."
Still, the evening's most dramatic moment may have been the
heartfelt thanks bestowed by Frank Kalman upon Ronald McDonald
House of New York, which supported his family during several rounds
of daughter Calli's cancer treatment, an experience he compares to
"running through a minefield carrying your child in your arms." On
November 8th a healthy Calli appeared at her father's side, a
college graduate and married the "love of her life," a story
Patrick Khoury, Senior Director at Air
Canada, found so inspiring he offered Calli and her new
husband two tickets to anywhere the airline flies.
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