December 9, 2020
APEX HONORS THE 2021 FOUR/FIVE STAR OFFICIAL AIRLINE RATINGS™ RECIPIENTS

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

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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