The Industry’s First Rating Program Based Solely on Verified & Certified Passenger Feedback
(ATLANTA) The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, announced the recipients of the industry’s most anticipated honor: the APEX Official Airline Ratings™. Airlines worldwide were honored today with four-and five-star Official Airline Ratings for their commitment to elevate the passenger experience.
The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ recognizes airlines in four categories:
· Global Airlines
· Major Airlines
· Regional Airlines
· Low-Cost Carriers
Passenger Rating Methodology
The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ stands as the only airline rating program based solely on independently verified passenger feedback. The industry’s most anticipated honor receives airline customer feedback and insights gathered through APEX’s partnership with TripIt® from Concur®, the world’s highest-rated travel-organizing app. Using a five-star scale, airline customers rate approximately one million flights across over 600 airlines worldwide. APEX then verifies, validates, and independently certifies the customer data via a professional third-party auditing company.
Only a single-digit percentage of over 600 rated airlines worldwide receive the prestigious APEX Four Star Airline award based upon customer votes that require the vast majority of all of their ratings to be four-and-five star.
Another single-digit percent of rated airlines worldwide reaches the highest threshold: APEX Five Star Airline. Only verified five-star ratings from passengers help airlines reach this highest level requiring the vast majority of their independently verified customer ratings to be five-star. For example, APEX requires four times the number of five-star votes to counteract a single one-star vote. This provides tremendous power to customers when they are disappointed by their customer experience as airlines rely upon feedback to further improve their in-flight product and airline service. The threshold required for 2021 APEX Five Star Airline status went up this year, but many airlines rose to the challenge despite COVID-19.
This year’s honorees spanned from across several continents. Nearly 30 global airlines, 14 major and a single regional airline reached APEX Five Star status as determined by their passenger ratings. 3 global airlines, 5 major airlines, and a single regional airline reached APEX Four Star status. Additionally, six low cost carriers reached their highest attainable award globally with APEX Four Star status.
“APEX designed the Official Airline Ratings™ to capture the voice of customers’ votes worldwide. Our 2021 recognized airlines demonstrate exemplary dedication and innovation to advancing the passenger experience even in these unprecedented COVID-19 times,” said APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader. “As an industry, our highest priority remains the global return of air travel centered upon health safety for our customers.”
The APEX 2021 Official Airline Ratings™ were awarded today at an award ceremony during FTE APEX Virtual Expo, air transport’s first major digital tradeshow. The event further inspired the aviation industry’s recovery and enabled much-needed collaboration en masse by delivering meaningful engagement between stakeholders and suppliers across the industry at networking events, expo booths, panel discussions, and industry keynotes.
At their request, several APEX Four Star and APEX Five Star airline names have not been included in the following list. APEX accommodated the exceptions made due to COVID-19 and will make future announcements with the airlines as appropriate.
FIVE STAR GLOBAL AIRLINES
Aeromexico
Air Canada
Air New Zealand
American Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
China Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Finnair
Japan Airlines
KLM
Korean Air
LATAM Airlines Group
Lufthansa
Qantas
Qatar Airways
SAS
Saudia
Singapore Airlines
SWISS
Thai Airways International
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Xiamen Airlines
FIVE STAR MAJOR AIRLINES
Aer Lingus
Air Astana
Air Tahiti Nui
Alaska Airlines
AVIANCA
Copa Airlines
Gulf Air
JetBlue Airways
Kuwait Airways
Middle East Airlines
Oman Air
Philippine Airlines
Virgin Australia
WestJet
FIVE STAR REGIONAL AIRLINES
JSX
FOUR STAR GLOBAL AIRLINES
Air France
British Airways
TAP Portugal
FOUR STAR MAJOR AIRLINES
Air Transat
Brussels Airlines
Fiji Airways
Royal Brunei Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
FOUR STAR REGIONAL AIRLINES
Aeromar
FOUR STAR LOW-COST CARRIERS
Citilink
Frontier Airlines
GoAir
Southwest Airlines
SpiceJet
Spirit Airlines
###
About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)
As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX accelerates our industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience. APEX reinvests all of its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought-leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry. For more information, please visit apex.aero.
For more information about the APEX, please visit apex.aero, sign up for the APEX Daily Experience e-newsletter, or follow APEX on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Click on the video below to view the award presentation