Passengers name PAL as one of the world’s top 50 airlines

PAL

Philippine Airlines has been named one of the Top 50 Airlines in the world by independent flight review firm Skytrax.

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Responding to the news, the flag carrier’s president Jaime Bautista said: “I am overwhelmed with pride and joy. This latest win shows how far we have come in working to transform our airline, and this victory is especially sweet because it reflects the votes of our beloved customers.” 

As well as being ranked 49th out of 335 airlines, PAL was also recognised as the second-most improved carrier in the world. It has risen 38 places from its 83rd rank in 2016 and by 18 levels from its 67th rank last year.

The airline’s Chief Customer Experience Officer Jessica Abaya said: “We also placed Top 30 in the World’s Best Cabin Cleanliness category. This recognition inspires us to focus even more on delighting our customers.

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“It also gives us greater confidence to reach our long term vision of becoming the 5-Star, full-service national carrier of the Philippines.”

The recognition for PAL comes after it received a 4-Star Global Airline rating and took delivery of a new Airbus A350-900 — widely considered to be the world’s most advanced passenger aircraft.

“The 4-Star award, Top 49 ranking and the 2nd Most Improved Airline vote challenge us to keep up the progress, and our hi-tech new A350s and A321-neos mark our determination to hit full 5-Star status by the end of 2020,” Mr Bautista added.

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The rankings were based on reviews by 20 million passengers from 100 different countries.

“We are honoured to be recognised by millions of passengers, and we renew our commitment to keep on serving them better from the caring Heart of the Filipino,” Mr Bautista said.

“The future is bright for Philippine Airlines.  As the Philippines’ first and only 4-Star Airline, we will continue to provide more innovations and product refinements.

“Indeed, we will take in 27 new aircraft starting with our recently arrived new A350s and A321 NEOs, so that we can fly more customers more comfortably and conveniently to their dream destinations.”

The Skytrax ranking was topped by Singapore Airlines, with Qatar Airways in second place.

The rest of the top 10 was dominated by Asian and Middle Eastern names. Third place went to ANA All Nippon Airways, fourth to Emirates, fifth to Taiwan’s EVA Air and sixth to Cathay Pacific.

Lufthansa was the only European carrier to make the top 10, in seventh place. It was followed by China’s Hainan Airlines in eighth, Garuda Indonesia in ninth and Thai Airways in 10th.

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