Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/633921
B M & T ••• November/December 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 36 F R O M T H E M O T H E R L A N D S outh African Airways (SAA), Africa's most awarded airline, has been named "Best Airline in Africa" by Skytrax for the thirteenth consecutive year. Responses from air travel- ers to the Skytrax survey also ensured that SAA was honored with the award for "Best Airline Staff in Africa" for the fourth time. The awards for "Best Airline Staff" are special and coveted acco- lades, as they represent the combined quality performance of an airline's front-line staff, including the on-board cabin crew and air- port customer service staff. Mango, SAA's low-cost carrier, received the award for "Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa." The awards were pre- sented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony during the Paris Air Show, Le Bourget. The awards are based on a consumer satisfaction survey con- ducted each year by Skytrax, an independent aviation research organization. This year, the survey elicited responses from 18-mil- lion business and leisure air travelers from 160 countries, covering more than 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers. The online survey is open for a 10-month period, giving passen- gers an opportunity to rate their experience in the air and on the ground. It measures satisfaction across 41 key performance indica- tors of airline front-line product and service including check-in, boarding, on-board seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beve r- ages, inflight entertainment and staff service. "It is a distinguished honor to, once again, receive these awards. We are committed to excellence and strongly believe that an out- standing customer experience is what makes a great airline," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president for South African Airways in North America. "SAA is proud to be the only Skytrax 4-Star air- line flying between the U.S. and Africa, and we are pleased that trav- elers recognize us as the best way to travel to Africa." South African Airways offers the most daily flights between the U.S. and South Africa with nonstop service from New York-JFK Airport and direct service from Washington, DC-Dulles Airport to Johannesburg. SAA currently offers daily nonstop service between Washington, DC-Dulles Airport and Dakar, Senegal, and on August 3rd, launched a new nonstop flight four days per week between Washington, D.C.-Dulles International Airport and Accra's Kotoka International Airport. For reservations and information, customers should visit www.flysaa.com or contact South African Airways' North America Reservations Center at (800) 722-9675, or your professional trav- el consultant. ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS South African Airways (SAA), South Africa's national flag carri- er and the continent's most awarded airline, serves 67 destinations worldwide in partnership with SA Express, Airlink and its low cost carrier Mango. In North America, SAA operates daily nonstop flights from New York-JFK and direct flights from Washington D.C.-IAD (via Accra, Ghana* and Dakar, Senegal) to Johannesburg. SAA has codes share agreements with United Airlines, Air Canada and JetBlue Airways , which offer convenient connections from more than 30 cities to SAA's flights. SAA is a Star Alliance member and the recipient of the Skytrax 4-Star rating for 13 consecutive years. SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS WINS " BEST AIRLINE IN AFRICA " SKYTRAX AWARD FOR THE 13TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR The Airline Also Wins "Best Airline Staff in Africa" Skytrax Award