Australians reveal their worst airline By Angela Saurine NEWS.com.au August 30, 2009 03:53pm Text size + - Print Email Share Add to MySpace Add to Digg Add to del.icio.us Add to Fark Post to Facebook Add to Kwoff What are these? Delayed ... Fair Trading recommends consumers always check the terms and conditions on airline tickets / AFP Tiger Airways voted least favourite Airline complaints on the rise All the latest travel news AUSTRALIANS have voted Tiger Airways their least favourite airline, says a new survey.
The Domestic Airline Satisfaction Survey conducted by Choice magazine ranked Tiger lowest, with a 55 per cent satisfaction rate.
Jetstar was rated second-lowest, with a 60 per cent satisfaction rate, while Virgin Blue was the most satisfactory, at 68 per cent.
Travellers liked Virgin Blue's friendly crew, but some found its quirky on-board banter irritating.
Internationally, Singapore Airlines was rated number one for overall satisfaction, with a 78 per cent rating, followed by Emirates, Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific.
Jetstar was the lowest-ranking airline for international satisfaction, with a 53 per cent satisfaction rating.
Qantas was second-lowest, with 59 per cent, and Virgin Blue third worst, with 65 per cent.
There was some good news for Tiger Airways, as it was voted best when it came to value for money, at 75 per cent.
John of Perth The survey comes as the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading revealed it received 1546 travel-related complaints in the 2008/09 year, compared with 1200 in 2007/08 and just 1006 in 2006/07.
Complaints also included unsatisfactory service, cancellations and non-listing of prices and fees.
But a Fair Trading spokeswoman said mere complaints or allegations against a trader did not mean that the firm had contravened the law.
"Fair Trading recommends consumers always check the terms and conditions on airline tickets when booking travel ¨C especially regarding inclusions/exclusions, cut-off times for check-ins and changing the days and times of travel," she said
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