La Compagnie triumphs at Travel & Leisure Awards: it's the world's best airline
In its own small way, the news has something historic about it. Because after 27 consecutive years, Singapore Airlines has lost its [...]
Singapore Airlines
La Compagnie
Emirates
Star Alliance
SkyTeam
Oneworld
In its own small way, the news has something historical. Because after 27 consecutive years, Singapore Airlines has lost its leadership as the world's best airline at the Travel & Leisure Awards, the awards that are given annually by the U.S. travel magazine of the same name. In practice, Singapore Airlines has held the scepter since the awards were first presented 27 years ago, in 1998. Singapore, on the other hand, which has triumphed in recent months in the Skytrax awards.
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From the vote of some 165,000 readers of the magazine and website, French La Compagnie came out the winner for 2023, The only existing all-business commercial company in the world. Fleet-wise, it's a bit like David knocked out Goliath, as La Compagnie's fleet consists of just two aircraft (expected to become four in the next few years): two Airbus A321LRs, the long-haul (Long Range) version of the European consortium's popular twin-engine aircraft, outfitted with just 76 seats. The network is also limited in size, as La Compagnie flies only to Paris Orly, New York Newark, Milan Malpensa and, in summer, Nice.
Getting on one of its planes is like stepping into a boutique hotel, where every detail is taken care of and customer attention is utmost. Prices, however, are lower than those charged in Business Class by all other airlines on the Atlantic, as a round trip starts at less than 2,000 euros. On board, dishes from star chefs, champagne, seats that turn into beds, individual in-flight entertainment. On the ground, fast track at checkpoints and access to lounges.
In Travel & Leisure's (T&L) ranking of airlines, where the aspects to be voted on were cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, and value for money, In second place was Emirates, which, in addition to the renowned First and Business Classes, offers an Economy on its Airbus A380s that from the standpoint of comfort, food, service and entertainment, is unmatched in the world. The Emirates airline is set to rise next year in rankings compiled by rating agencies and trade magazines (such as Travel & Leisure), as its new premium economy, now found on about 20 A380s, will be installed in an increasing number of airplanes.
Third place went to Qatar Airways, whose Business product, the QSuite, remains among the best products in its class in the world. Singapore Airlines slipped to fourth place, a 'victim' of the Covid and travel restrictions that have kept her stationary (or nearly so) for about two years, perhaps causing her to lose some of her polish, at least in the eyes of T&L readers.
The rest of the top ten compiled by the American magazine is, basically, a parade of Far East companies Asian with the only exceptions being, in sixth place, Air Tahiti Nui and, in ninth place, Britain's Virgin Atlantic. Fifth ranked All Nippon Airways (ANA) with its stellar premium products ('The room' in Business Class and 'The suite) in First Class. Seventh was the other Japanese Japan Airlines, whose highlights are its food and beverage offerings and in-flight service, followed by Cathay Pacific, with Taiwan's Eva Air rounding out the magnificent top ten.
