Virgin America named USA's top airline, Singapore tops global ratings

By Ben Mutzabaugh
October 17, 2010

Virgin America is the best airline in the USA. At least that's according to Condé Nast Traveler magazine. The publication revealed this week that the California-based low-cost carrier was named the top North American airline in its 2010 Readers' Choice Awards. It was the third-consecutive year Virgin America took the top spot in Condé Nast Traveler's rankings.

"All of us here at Virgin America are humbled and honored to have been named the best domestic airline by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the third year consecutive year," Virgin America CEO David Cush says in a press release. "This award is not only an affirmation of our industry-leading service, but also a testament to our teammates' efforts to build a different kind of airline from the guest up. We're pleased to hear that our service is continuing to resonate with the travelers who expect more from a domestic airline."

Virgin America beat out rival discounter JetBlue to take the top spot. Rounding out the North America top 10 (in order) are Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, Continental, USA 3000, Southwest, Horizon Air and AirTran. Continental is the only legacy carrier to have made the top 10.

Globally, Singapore Airlines was tabbed as the world's top carrier, a familiar position for the carrier. It has taken the top spot in 22 of the 23 year years that Condé Nast Traveler has issued its Readers' Choice Awards.

Singapore edged out two Middle East carriers for the top spot, finishing ahead of No. 2 Etihad and No. 3 Emirates. Rounding out the global top 10 are V Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Air New Zealand, ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Japan Airlines (JAL).

In its online recap of the awards, Condé Nast Traveler suggests that "entertainment mogul Richard Branson has an aerial monopoly on fun." The publication notes Sir Richard "owns three of the five carriers that score the highest for In-flight Entertainment: Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, and V Australia."

How are the awards tabulated? The publication says that "every year since 1988, a select sample of Condé Nast Traveler readers have taken the Readers' Choice Survey. The questionnaire is available to all readers through a secure Website."

The final rankings were compiled by tabulating 25,916 responses. Condé Nast Traveler says airline were rated on five categories: cabin comfort, cabin service, entertainment options, food/beverages and ticketing/ground services.

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