PH flag carrier receives new Four Star Major Airline rating
FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines ( PAL) has received the Four Star Major Airline 2020 rating from the Airline Passenger Experience Association ( APEX), a US- based air travel organization.
This is PAL’s second consecutive award from APEX. In 2018, the Filipino airline garnered the association’s Four Star Major Regional Airline 2019 rating.
PAL’s latest rating is the result of a comprehensive survey of 1.4 million airline customers, conducted through app- generated neutral, third- party passenger feedback collection and insights validated and certified by APEX.
From July 2018 to July 2019, respondents rated key aspects of the inflight experience of nearly 600 airlines, such as seat comfort, inflight meals, cabin service, inflight entertainment and WiFi connectivity. More than 1.4 million flights were rated by passengers to produce this year’s APEX Official Airline Ratings, recognizing airlines in four categories: Global Airlines, Major Airlines, Regional Airlines and Low Cost Carriers.
“We are elated by this industry recognition. More importantly, we wish to thank our passengers for validating PAL’s brand of service. Their feedback and ideas help us make PAL a more formidable competitor. This accolade will make us work even harder to further improve the over- all passenger experience in all our flights,” said PAL President and COO Gilbert Santa Maria.
To achieved this feat, PAL has pursued various initiatives such as the introduction of a brandnew fleet of high- technology aircraft, the expansion of its flight route network featuring more convenient nonstop routes to key global centers and tourist markets, and the roll out of service innovations such as an all- new Premium Economy cabin and upgraded Business and Economy Class products on its long- haul aircraft.
“Only a small, single digit percentage of these airlines reached the prestigious APEX Four Star Airline status,” said APEX Chief Executive Officer Joe Leader. “All of us at APEX take extraordinary pride in giving full power to airline passengers as the ultimate source of validated truth in airline ratings worldwide.”
In June, PAL surged to a global ranking as the 30th Best Airline in the World, thus earning the World’s Most Improved Airline Award from the London- based Skytrax rating organization. In 2018, the same rating body certified PAL as a Four Star global airline for the first time.
APEX is a non- profit community that aims to elevate the air travel experience. Headquartered in New York City, the organization is composed of the world’s leading travel industry stakeholders, including media, airlines, and other aviation- related firms.