SAA Named Best Airline in Africa

{{South African Airways has been named the Best Airline in Africa in a global customer satisfaction survey.}}

The announcement was made during the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony hosted at the 50th International Paris Air Show. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are regarded as the most prestigious accolades for the world airline industry and provide a global benchmark of airline excellence.

This year is SAA’s 11th consecutive year of winning the award, making South Africa’s national flag carrier the most awarded airline on the continent. Each year, Skytrax, an independent aviation research organisation, conducts a customer satisfaction survey among 18 million business and leisure air travellers from 160 countries to decide the award winners.

The survey covers over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.
Over a 10-month period, air travellers complete an online survey questionnaire about their experience with airlines on the ground and on-board.

The survey measures passenger satisfaction across more than 40 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service including check-in, boarding, on-board seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service.

“We are delighted that customers from across the world have, for 11 years in a row, voted us the Best Airline in Africa,” said Suretha Cruse, SAA customer service executive.

“It is a remarkable achievement that resonates with our vision, which is to be Africa’s leading world-class airline. We also acknowledge that a fundamental cultural mindset change towards an efficient service-driven organisation is required in what is an extremely competitive industry.

“Hence, and in line with our long-term turnaround strategy, exceptional operational and customer service will be SAA’s DNA forthwith,”

SAA wins on average one award every month, having scooped six accolades since the beginning this year.

SAA is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 26 destinations across the continent, as well as major destinations within South Africa and internationally from its Johannesburg hub. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance.

SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries – SAA Technical; Mango, its low-cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA; and South African Travel Centre.

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