29 August 2008
South African Airways has been named “best airline in Africa” at the 2008 Skytrax World Airline Awards, which are based on an annual survey by British aviation experts Skytrax.
The Skytrax survey is recognized as an independent passenger survey of global airline standards. Based on interviews of an estimated 15-million passengers worldwide, the survey measures over 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction with airline products and service standards.
South African Airways (SAA) also won the Skytrax award for “best cabin crew in Africa”.
SAA features the only non-stop service from the US to South Africa, with daily departures from Washington, DC and a daily direct service from New York.
The airline recently upgraded its in-flight entertainment on these flights, increasing the number of movies available from 15 to 44, ranging from global blockbusters to more culturally diverse options that include South African and Hindi choices. A number of channels with TV programmes and music from many different genres round out the offerings.
Each seat on board, whether in premium business class or economy class, includes a personal, on-demand entertainment system with the full range of upgraded content.
“Add to that Africa’s best cabin crew, great food, complimentary South African wine, plus amenity kits in each seat, and SAA is the clear choice for service to Africa,” SAA said in a statement this week.
“Travellers in premium class enjoy 180 degree fully flat-bed seats, and in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors.”
In addition, SAA’s local network, with connections to more than 20 South African destinations and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, make the airline “the savvy traveler’s gateway to Africa.”
As a Star Alliance member, SA Airways also offers its customers 975 destinations in 162 countries and 18 100 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 30 cities in the US through code share service with Star Alliance member United Airlines.
Members of United Airlines’ Mileage Plus, US Airways’ Dividend Miles and Air Canada’s Aeroplan programmes can earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights.
SAinfo reporter
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