Cathay Pacific voted Asia's top airline
Cathay Pacific Airways' decision to invest in superior product and services, even during the current industry downturn, has been rewarded with the carrier being named Best Airline - Asia in a global poll of more than four million travellers.
In the survey, conducted between August 2001 and March 2002 by UK-based consulting firm Skytrax, Cathay Pacific was also voted Best Airline Trans-Pacific and was overall ranked as the number-two airline in the world.
Despite the current world recession Cathay Pacific has stood out from the competition by publicly committing to maintaining the momentum of its product enhancements. The airline's acclaimed New Business Class product - launched at the end of last year - will next month have been installed on one-third of its long-haul fleet. Newly fitted aircraft regularly operate routes to Australia, Europe and North America.
Cathay Pacific's New Business Class product features one of the longest and widest stretch-flat seats in the sky, an exclusive bar and reception area for passengers to meet and mingle inflight, and a private dressing room. Cathay Pacific is the only airline in the world to offer an onboard high-speed data network for inflight email.
Two of Cathay Pacific's current line-up of inflight wines have won top international awards. The newest addition to its inflight "cellar" - the Voyager Estate Chardonnay 1999 - is the holder of a Double Gold from the San Francisco International Wine Competition. The Taylors' St Andrews Shiraz 1998 has already picked up a string of awards, most recently the title "Australia's Best Shiraz" at the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. Both wines are served in the airline's acclaimed new First Class cabin.
Cathay Pacific has also been actively investing in its ground product. The airline recently opened the doors to The Pier, its new lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The Pier features a Juice Bar, exclusive Day-Break Rooms, three bars and two restaurants, 60 broadband-connected computers and a wireless LAN for connecting with laptop computers. The airline has also recently opened new First and Business Class lounges in Seoul and Bangkok.
Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: "We are very proud that more than four million travellers recognised Cathay Pacific, the airline of Hong Kong, as being Asia's best airline. Not only is the result a travellers' seal of approval for our superior product, it is also note of thanks for the high standard of service maintained by Cathay Pacific staff. Their dedication to providing service straight from the heart is second to none."
