Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has won the ‘World’s Most Improved Airline’ category of the 2021 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The airline also won this category in 2017 when it jumped from 82nd to 51st position in the rankings – a 40% improvement. This year saw Saudia improve by some 55%, now taking 26th place in the Skytrax ranking of global airlines.
More than 100 customer nationalities participated in the survey, with the 2021 Skytrax awards based on 13.42 million eligible survey entries counted in the final results. The Most Improved award cements the airline’s status as a full-scale global carrier, and reflects its dedication to quality and performance improvements in different award categories including cabin crew, food & beverage, in-flight entertainment and more.
Saudia now has a route network of more than 95 destinations and a fleet of 145 aircraft. Since the launch of its ‘SV 2020 Transformation Plan’ in 2015, the airline has been enhancing its onboard guest experience. Over the last 12 months, the transformation has been more rapid, with the airline introducing a range of new products and enhancing existing features, to modernise the guest experience. Initiatives include the signature Chef-on-board a la carte dining service; dine-on-demand; improved broadband internet connectivity; complimentary messaging plans across all cabins; and a new IFE platform with more than 5,000 hours of content.
Saudia’s director general, His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Alomar said, “As part of the airline’s SV2020 Strategy & Transformation Plan, Saudia has invested in new aircraft, product innovation and service enhancements with a single purpose – to provide all of our guests with the highest level of hospitality and comfort in the skies. We are delighted that the world is noticing and recognising our efforts.”
Commenting on the award, Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: ” Saudia continues to increase its global status and appeal amongst customers. Apart from overall improvement in the main survey, the airline performed well in many other survey sections which are considered for this award… Customers definitely recognise this improvement across the end-to-end passenger experience.”
World’s Best Leisure Airline
In other Skytrax World Airline Awards news, Air Transat took the title of ‘World’s Best Leisure Airline’ for the fourth time.
“Receiving this award once more is particularly significant this year, as the travel industry is just beginning to pick up under completely new circumstances. Knowing that the Air Transat experience still holds a place in the hearts of travellers fills me with pride and ambition for the future,” stated Annick Guérard, president and CEO at Air Transat.
“Air Transat’s achievement of being named the World’s Best Leisure Airline for the fourth time is remarkable,” added Edward Plaisted, CEO at Skytrax. “It is great recognition for all Air Transat front-line staff who are clearly delivering great customer satisfaction.”
Air Transat will be serving Canada, the United States, Europe and the South in the coming months with a new-generation fleet made up of the fuel-efficient Airbus A321neoLR.
