Passengers Make Their Top Airline Picks Known With Passenger Choice Awards

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A list of airline companies from around the globe have been selected as finalists for the Passenger Choice Awards, a yearlong survey asking passengers to rate their travel experience — Categories range from Best Cabin Ambiance and Best Inflight Video to awards for the best overall airline in the five regions of the world.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony 17 September in Long Beach, CA.

The Passenger Choice Awards give flyers the most direct way to compare the accomplishments of various airlines as they relate to the entire passenger experience.   With the announcement of the current winners, voting for next year's awards program is already underway and available by logging onto www.passengerchoiceawards.com and filling out the survey.  Virtually any member of the traveling public can vote in 14 separate categories—and in 13 languages— to recognize outstanding services, products and innovations.

Finalists are listed alphabetically:

Best Overall Passenger Experience (Up to 50 Inflight Entertainment equipped planes) 
AIR NEW ZEALAND
KINGFISHER AIRLINES 
SRILANKAN AIRLINES
TACA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA 
VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Best Overall Passenger Experience (Over 50 Inflight Entertainment equipped planes)
AVIANCA
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS 
EMIRATES
GARUDA INDONESIA
SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Best in Region: Africa
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

Best in Region: Americas
AVIANCA
JETBLUE
LAN AIRLINES
TACA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA

Best in Region: Asia and Australasia
AIR NEW ZEALAND
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS 
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES

Best in Region: Europe
BRITISH AIRWAYS
NORWEGIAN
SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
TURKISH AIRLINES 
VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Best in Region: Middle East
EMIRATES
ETIHAD AIRWAYS
GULF AIR
OMAN AIR
QATAR AIRWAYS

Best Inflight Publication
AIR ASTANA 
AVIANCA
GARUDA INDONESIA
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
V AUSTRALIA/VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
VIRGIN AMERICA

Best Inflight Entertainment User Interface:
AVIANCA 
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
EMIRATES
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Best Inflight Connectivity & Communications
EMIRATES
GULF AIR
NORWEGIAN
OMAN AIR
VIRGIN AMERICA

Best Inflight Video
AIR NEW ZEALAND
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES
TURKISH AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA

Best Cabin Ambiance
AIR NEW ZEALAND
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Best Food & Beverage (in conjunction with the International Flight Services Association)
EMIRATES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES LTD.
TURKISH AIRLINES 
VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Best Ground Experience
AIR NEW ZEALAND
JET AIRWAYS
KINGFISHER AIRLINES 
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC

While voting for the 2012 Passenger Choice Awards campaign ended on 30 June, the 2013 awards cycle kicked off on 1 July.  To take the survey, visit www.passengerchoiceawards.com.  Stay updated by liking the Passenger Choice Awards on Facebook and by following us on Twitter.

ABOUT APEX:
The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe. Visit www.apex.aero for more information.

Contact: Ron Gumucio – 212.297.2113 [email protected]

SOURCE Airline Passenger Experience Association