What is a five-star airline?

Earlier today, I was reflecting rather sadly that the golden days of flying are over.  Airlines are all trying to raise revenue by doing something called unbundling.  Your ticket no longer represents the purchase of a package of goods and services, your ticket is being redefined as the right to your seat — and that’s all.  You pay for everything else.

In reality, unbundling has become a euphemism for a miserable product line and bad service.  But there are still some airlines that want to attract your attention with a wonderful experience rather than simply rock bottom prices.  These are the five-star airlines.

SKYTRAX provides a website that monitors airline and airport quality as well as offering a forum for passengers to post reviews.  I often use it and find it really useful particularly when I’m flying on an airline for the first time, and I want to know what to expect.

The very top airlines earn five stars, and only six airlines are considered to have attained the five star level of quality:

• Asiana Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Kingfisher
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines

I have flown in First Class and Business Class on Singapore Airlines, but never in Economy.  In both classes, the seats, the service, the food, the wine, and the in-flight entertainment systems are outstanding.  I especially like being offered a choice of Krug or Dom Pérignon in First class, and I also like the book-the-cook option for both First and Business Class, which allows you to select your meal before you ever leave the ground.  Click here for details.

I have flown on two legs of the same trip (Phuket to Seoul and Seoul to Beijing) on Asiana in Economy.  It was fine, but it did not really show the hallmark of a five-star airline although this may have been because I was flying relatively short distances at night.

There are two airlines that I believe come very close to the five-star standard.

The first is ANA.  Last summer, I flew from Washington to Tokyo and onwards to Bangkok on ANA All Nippon Airways in Economy.  I have never been so courteously and graciously treated in Economy.  When I described my pleasure to a flight attendant, a few minutes later, the head flight attendant came to our seats with lovely gifts for both my daughter and me.  This is, by far, the best experience in Economy I have ever had.

The other is Lufthansa.  I have flown in all classes and I find them to be excellent in every respect.