Zagat Survey

Zagat reviewers — nearly 6,000 frequent fliers — took aim at the airline industry in the company’s 2009 airline survey, just released. It is the Zagat’s eighth aviation survey, and not surprisingly, one-third of respondents reported that they are still flying less — 16.6 trips per year, up slightly from 16.3 in 2008 but down substantially from 19.7 in 2007.

Among so-called legacy carriers in the United States, Continental earned the highest rating (15 out of 30) for comfort, service and food in coach class, while others like American and United scored 9 to 11. Newer airlines like JetBlue and Virgin America generally got higher marks, scoring 19 and 21 respectively.

The full list of winners ranked by overall score includes the following:

Large Domestic Premium Class:
21 Continental Airlines
17 American Airlines
17 Delta Air Lines
16 United Airways
15 AirTran Airways

Large Domestic Economy Class:
19 JetBlue Airways
15 Continental Airlines
15 Southwest Airlines
12 AirTran Airways
11 Delta Air Lines

Midsize Domestic Premium Class:
24 Virgin America
21 Hawaiian Airlines
20 Alaska Airlines

Midsize Domestic Economy Class:
21 Virgin America
21 Midwest Airlines
16 Hawaiian Airlines

International Premium Class:
28 Singapore Airlines
26 Cathay Pacific Airways
26 Emirates Airlines
25 Air New Zealand
25 Virgin Atlantic Airways

International Economy Class:
24 Singapore Airlines
22 Emirates Airline
21 ANA (All Nippon Airways)
21 Air New Zealand
21 Thai Airways