SYDNEY - Australians have rated their flag-carrier Qantas as the
worst international airline in a survey conducted by a consumer
watchdog.
Respondents to the survey repeatedly described Qantas staff as
aloof and said the carrier's seating was cramped and
uncomfortable
The survey of 4,000 people voted Singapore Airlines
best while Emirates, Air New Zealand, Malaysia
Airlines, Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific all beat Qantas, the
consumer magazine Choice said on Tuesday.
Choice asked subscribers to rate airlines they had used recently on
value for money, booking processes, convenience, the check-in
procedure, in-flight service, seat comfort, legroom and
cleanliness.
Respondents to the survey repeatedly described Qantas staff as
aloof and said the carrier's seating was cramped and
uncomfortable.
Qantas told the magazine it was surprised by the result.
'In the past two years Qantas has been named one of the world's top
airlines in the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards, the
world's largest airline passenger survey, which in 2006 interviewed
over 13.6 million travellers.
'Qantas achieved the ranking of number two in the world in 2005 and
2006,' a spokesperson said.
Choice speculated that the difference in results might be due to
the Australian base of the survey and a tendency for people to to
be particularly critical of their national airline. -- AFP
