customer profile Reaching for the stars Focus on in-flight comfort and service has made Asiana Airlines a 5-star attraction By Kevin Yoo In the highly competitive commercial airlines business, leading the pack and staying on top is a feat. Yet Asiana Airlines has done it four years running, winning “best airline” accolades from five organizations within 25 years of its launch as South Korea’s second flag carrier. “We continue to look for ways to improve our in-flight services and product offerings by maintaining a modern fleet of fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible aircraft,” said Doo Jin Lee, senior vice president of Public Relations for the airline. Boeing’s partnership with Asiana Airlines dates from the airline’s inception in 1988 when Asiana took delivery of its first airplane, a Boeing 737-400. The airline made its inaugural flight in 1989 and has rapidly expanded, with service to 71 cities in 23 countries. As a member of the Star Alliance network, Asiana Airlines currently operates 23 Boeing passenger airplanes on 91 routes around the world. The carrier also operates 11 Boeing Freighter airplanes on 28 routes. Its Boeing fleet is composed entirely of 767s, 777s and 747s. “Our dedication to ensuring the highest safety and comfort for our passengers has been our No. 1 priority,” Lee said. The effort has paid dividends. In 2009, Air Transport World magazine named Asiana its “airline of the year.” From 2010 through 2012, respectively, Asiana won the same honor from the airline research group Skytrax and from Global Traveler and Premium Traveler magazines. In fact, the airline was honored twice in 2012, also receiving Business Traveler’s prestigious “best overall airline in the world” award. In addition, Skytrax has awarded Asiana Airlines a Five Star Airline ranking. To date, only six other airlines have received this classification. Last summer, Asiana became the first carrier in Korea to introduce two-door suites, called “OZ First Suites,” on a new Boeing 777-200ER (Extended Range) airplane. The suites feature Boeing’s Signature Interior, which comes standard on all 777 airplanes; beds that fold flat; and 32-inch (81-centimeter) video display screens that, according to Lee, are the largest on any commercial passenger jet. Asiana is slated to receive its 13th 777-200ER later this month, and the airplane will become only the second 777-200ER to feature the new OZ First Suites. “Over the years, Boeing aircraft have played an instrumental role in helping Asiana Airlines become a world-class, five-star airline,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing, Northeast Asia, for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to continuing our long and mutually beneficial relationship.” n kevin.k.yoo@boeing.com See the Boeing statement on the Asiana Airlines accident. PHOTO: A Boeing 777-200ER (Extended Range) in Asiana Airlines livery. Asiana Airlines 36 BOEIN G FRONTIERS / JULY 2013
Frontiers July 2013 Issue
To see the actual publication please follow the link above