Results based on nearly 19 million passenger responses worldwide

MONTREAL, July 15, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada has been named Best Airline in North America in the Skytrax 2014 World Airline Awards at the Farnborough International Airshow. It is the fifth consecutive year Air Canada has been recognized as the best airline in North America and among the leading carriers of the world. The annual poll, based on surveys of nearly 19 million global passengers, is regarded as a key benchmarking tool for product excellence and customer satisfaction by the global airline industry.

"We are extremely pleased that the Skytrax World Airline Awards have recognized Air Canada as the Best Airline in North America for five straight years. The North American aviation industry is highly competitive and it is therefore a source of great pride for Air Canada to consistently lead in this geography in terms of both service excellence and industry-leading products. Being the Best Airline in North America also places Air Canada amongst the leading airlines of the world and sets the bar very high to continue improving.  We are delighted to have established a leadership position in such a global industry from a Canadian base," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"This award also reflects what more than 35 million customers tell us each year through their greatly appreciated loyalty: that Air Canada is one of the safest, most comfortable and convenient airlines to fly. I thank our 27,000 employees around the world, who all share in winning this award, for their professionalism and dedication."

"Air Canada has a secure grip on this award as Best Airline in North America, being a repeat winner again in 2014. With the awards voted for by airline customers worldwide, they represent the voice of passengers, and being a truly global survey are regarded as a benchmark of airline excellence," said Edward Plaisted, Chief Executive Officer of Skytrax. "This award recognizes the front-line service quality being delivered by Air Canada staff across all customer-facing areas, both in the airport and onboard environment, and it is their success that we are honoring today with this award."

About the World Airline Awards

The World Airline Awards (http://www.worldairlineawards.com/) are managed by aviation research organization, Skytrax Research of London, UK.  The transparency and global coverage of the survey distinguish these awards as the most prestigious and respected quality recognition for today's world airline industry.  The Survey operated between August 2013 and May 2014, with more than 100 customer nationalities from over 160 countries participating. The 2014 Awards are based on 18.85 million completed customer surveys, and included over 245 airlines worldwide. The survey covers all types of airline, from largest international airlines to small domestic carriers, with customers ranking quality standards across more than 40 areas of airline front-line product and service.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 180 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2013 served more than 35 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in the United States and 73 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,269 destinations in 193 countries.  Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2014 for the fifth consecutive year.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.

SOURCE Air Canada