According to the recently released Zagat survey, Singapore Airlines were chosen as the best international carrier. The 2009 Airline Survey was conducted among 73 international carriers and 16 domestic U.S. airline companies. Each airline was estimated according to Zagat’s 30-point scale. Such aspects as comfort, food, in-flight entertainment and luggage policies in premium and economy classes were taken into account when choosing the best airlines.

Singapore Airlines, one of the main companies of the Southeast Asia that wins passenger choice awards very often, gained top marks for its service in both classes.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific together with Dubai’s Emirates airline got the second rank in the premium-class category. Also Emirates occupied the second rank for its economy class service.

The third rank in premium class service was given to Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand.

Despite the fact that Continental, the U.S. airline, got a 15 score being behind the others, Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey, considered the result of the company as an achievement.

“The newer airlines continue to do well in the survey. Being less expensive to operate, they can therefore afford to provide better service,” said Zagat in his statement. He also added that such airline companies as Singapore, Emirates and Cathay Pacific prospered not due to governmental support. The question arose how Continental did so well as the company did not have any specific advantages.

Also Continental became the best value company in international routes.

As a result Continental Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways got the leading position in two categories. Southwest Airlines won in four categories while Virgin America was top-rated in three.

The Zagat survey was the third annual airline survey that exposed diminution in the number of flights because of the global economy recession.

The survey showed that only 7 percent of respondents flew more as well as others flew less this year.

The number of business flights diminished to 61 percent this year in comparison with 2007 when it was 64 percent. But as for leisure flights, their number increased by 4 percent this year.