Asiana Airlines flying high

Yes even airlines have award shows.The World Airline Awards showcases the best in aviation on the planet. The annual event, which is conducted by Britain aviation consultancy SkyTrax, brings together roughly 40 different airlines to receive various awards, with winners chosen by actual customers. This year nearly 18 million travelers from 100 different countries took part in the 10 month survey, between July 2009 and April 2010. 

Here are this year's top 10 airlines:

1.   Asiana Airlines
2.   Singapore Airlines
3.   Qatar Airways
4.   Cathay Pacific
5.   Air New Zealand
6.   Etihad Airways
7.   Qantas Airways
8.   Emirates
9.   Thai Airways
10.  Malaysia Airlines

In a bit of an upset Asiana Airlines topped the odds on favorite Singapore Airlines. Commenting on the award, the chairman of SkyTrax Edward Plaisted said, "this is a fantastic achievement for Asiana
Airlines to be named winner of this top Airline of the Year Award, and
Asiana Airlines are clearly meeting and exceeding their customer's
expectations."

Mr. Plaisted added that Asiana Airlines delivered to their customers a strong product worthy of the honor and that the carrier is "succeeding in satisfying
the hardest critics – their users."
 

Other winners at the World Airline Awards include:

Best low-cost airline: AirAsia

Best regional airline: Dragonair

Most-improve airline: Garuda Indonesia

Best leisure airline: Thomson Airways

Best in-flight entertainment: Emirates

Best cabin staff: Singapore Airlines

Best airline alliance: oneworld

Best trans-Atlantic airline: Virgin Atlantic

Best trans-Pacific airline: Cathay Pacific

Best first-class airline: Etihad

Best business-class airline: Qatar Airways

Best premium economy class: Qantas

Best economy class: Malaysia Airlines

Source: World Airline Awards