Originally Posted by JDFlyer

Al, my point is that international airlines that receive substantial government subsidies and/or are owned by their respective nations governments are given a competitive advantage.

I am not interested, and I am sure you are not either, in debating protectionist economic policies between nations, but Continental and Southwest Airlines are very good corporations without any direct government financial involvement/ownership.

I do not mean to take anything away from Emirates or Air France or any of the others when comparing their "world" ranking in terms of the product they offer.

That was my only point.