LONDON – Virgin Australia recently was the top rated Domestic Australian Airline in Canstar Blue’s 2022 Domestic Airlines ratings, scoring five out of five stars in all but one category, including service.
The accolade is another achievement in what has been a huge year for Virgin Australia, which significantly grew its domestic and short-haul international networks, rebuilt its team to over 7,000 people, and returned to profitability.
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the award recognised the value and choice offered by the airline, as well as the outstanding efforts of its team.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team, being rated five out of five stars by our customers in six of seven key areas is great recognition of the extraordinary teamwork evident in our airline every day,” she said.
“It shows that we’re hitting the mark in the areas our guests really care about, including service, value for money and our flight schedule.
“This recognition is another achievement in what’s been a wonderful year for Virgin Australia, and I would like to thank our entire team for their continued passion and commitment to serving Australia with flair.”
“The hard work and dedication to making a difference is noticed by many and is infectious.”
Virgin Australia was rated five stars for overall satisfaction, flight schedule/availability, service, value for money, flight punctuality, and frequent flyer program. It was awarded four stars for in-flight offerings.
About Canstar Blue
Canstar Blue surveyed over 850 people who had flown on a domestic flight in Australia in the last two years to compile the ratings.
Earlier in 2022, Virgin Australia was awarded Best Cabin Crew for the fifth time at the AirlineRatings.com Excellence Awards.
Summary
The latest accolade, albeit a relatively minor domestic award, caps off what has been a reasonable year of consolidation for the Australian carrier.
In October, Virgin Australia announced its plan to return to profitability by June 2023, with a further fleet expansion of four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft slated for the second half of the New Year.
Four 737 MAX aircraft are also scheduled to arrive for the airline in February 2023.
CEO Jayne Hrdlicka began the transformation process back in November 2020 and it appears that the strategy is bearing fruit after what have been significant hard years for the airline sector.
Having undergone a restructuring process this year, the signs are that the carrier will switch to a strategy of expansion and growth next year; in line with its prediction of a return to profitability mid-year.
