1. JAPAN AIRLINES
AVERAGE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE (OTP) 88.8 per cent
OTHER REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS CARRIER The flag carrier of Japan recently announced a new cabin layout for its B787-8 aircraft (see here), which finally sees it offer a fully flat bed on its long-haul Dreamliner flights. Other new additions include new Tumi-branded amenity kits (see here), and the opening of refurbished Sakura lounges at Haneda Airport (see here).
2. AIR NEW ZEALAND
AVERAGE OTP 88.3 per cent
OTHER REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS CARRIER 2014 proved to be an extremely rosy year for ANZ, as the airline reported its third consecutive year of profit (see here). Along with the delivery of its very first B787-9, ANZ also rolled out several new cabin products on the aircraft (see here). The carrier also improved ties with several airline partners, most notably Singapore Airlines, which resulted in a 30 per cent capacity boost on flights between New Zealand and Singapore (see here).
3. ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS
AVERAGE OTP 87.3 per cent
OTHER REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS CARRIER The Japanese carrier kicked off the new year with the announcement of a new daily Kuala Lumpur service (see here). In addition, ANA is expected to launch a new route between Tokyo-Narita and Houston in June, while simultaneously increasing frequencies for its Narita flights to Singapore and Bangkok (see here).
4. BANGKOK AIRWAYS
AVERAGE OTP 86 per cent
OTHER REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS CARRIER The airline boasts an increasingly impressive presence within Asia, and maintains close partnerships with a number of established carriers including the likes of Qantas (see here), Cathay Pacific and Etihad Airways. Infrastructure has also improved, with Bangkok Airways introducing new self-service check-in kiosks at its base in Suvarnabhumi Airport last year (see here).
5. VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
AVERAGE OTP 85.5 per cent
OTHER REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS CARRIER It’s full speed ahead for VA’s three-year growth strategy, Virgin Vision 2017. Towards the end of last year, the carrier unveiled its impressive new business class product (see here), which can rival Qantas’ new seat any day. Meanwhile, stakeholder Singapore Airlines appears genuinely invested in the airline, as both carriers have launched a new frequent flyer conversion initiative (see here), which allows points and miles to be converted at a ratio of 1.35:1.
Clement Huang