Turkish Airlines has been chosen "Best Airline in Europe", “Best Airline in Southern Europe” and awarded “World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge”, and “World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining” in 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards-Istanbul, last June 17. Skytrax, the acknowledged name associated with air travel excellence in 21st century by providing unique products to the global aviation industry through professional Audit and Service Benchmarking programs for airlines, airline alliances, airports and related air transport product and service suppliers across the globe, has released its latest ratings. With no outside sponsorship, advertising or influence, it is the most respected global airline passenger survey firm in the industry. This year's awards were based on 13.02 million survey questionnaires completed by 112 different nationalities of airline customers during the survey period from May 2014 to January 2015. The survey covered 550 airports worldwide. This established, industry survey is Independent and evaluates traveller experiences across different airport service and product key performance indicators - from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through to departure at the gate. And in this year's awards, Turkish Airlines has scored a resounding success, with air travellers once again recognizing the airline as the "Best Airline in Europe", for the fifth year running. It's refurbished and expanded lounge which offers the wide range of activities and services transforms preflight or connecting time into its own special experience, unique to Turkish Airlines, earned the flag carrier the top spot in the category, "World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge”. Turkish Airlines was also awarded in the category, “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” for the second consecutive time, for its excellent catering service that has been a hallmark of guest comfort in its world-renowned lounge at Ataturk Airport--“Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul”. Turkish DO&CO; its successful partner in catering, has repeatedly won awards for providing Turkish Airlines' passengers with the best meals in the sky and also in its lounges. The results of the 2015 World Airline Awards were announced today in the Passenger Terminal EXPO Exhibition Hall at Paris expo Porte de Versailles. Awards for being the "Best Airline in Europe", “Best Airline in Southern Europe”, “World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge”, and “World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining” were presented to Turkish Airlines' Deputy Chairman and CEO, Temel Kotil Ph.D. by the CEO of Skytrax, Edward Plaisted. The awards mark a continued period of success for the airline, which has seen a significant passenger numbers rise compared to the same period last year. The airline was ranked as a 4-star airline in 2007 and joined Star Alliance in 2008. While keeping its 4-star airline title again in 2008, Turkish Airlines was named “Best Airline in Southern Europe”. Maintaining the same momentum in 2010, Turkish Airlines continued to be recognized as the "Best Airline in Southern Europe" and “Best Catering in Economy Class” with the inflight service provided by Turkish DO & CO. The airline also took 3rd place of the best airline companies in Europe. In 2011, Turkish Airlines was chosen as the winner of the 3 categories by Skytrax; “Best Airline in Europe”, “Best Premium Economy Seats” for its Comfort Class seats and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” at the 2011 World Airline Awards. Turkish Airlines scored the same success at the 2012 Skytrax World Airline Awards, with its passengers voting the airline as the "Best Airline in Europe" the second year running. It was also named by Skytrax as the winner in 3 categories, "Best Airline in Southern Europe" and "Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat" for its Comfort Class seats. In 2013, Turkish Airlines was chosen as the winner of the 3 categories by Skytrax; “Best Airline in Europe” for the third consecutive time, "Best Airline in Southern Europe" the fifth year running and was also named as the winner in the category, "Best Business Class Catering”. And in last year's awards, national flag carrier of Turkey has been chosen "Best Airline in Europe" for the fourth year running, “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the sixth year running and awarded “Best Business Class Onboard Catering” for the second consecutive time, and also “Best Business Class Lounge Dining”. Turkish Airlines continues to consolidate its position as one of the world's leading airlines by significant investments made in recent years, the awards received, impressive growth figures, large-scale aircraft orders, a continuously expanding route network and innovative approaches that are constantly improved by its huge family over 40,000 employees. They all help to maintain its continued popularity amongst airline passengers.— SG
