Japanese chef Norifumi Fujioka, second from left, makes sushi for first class passengers on an Asiana Airlines flight. The carrier won several awards from renowned tourism magazines for its high quality in-flight services. / Courtesy of Asiana Airlines

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Asiana Airlines has been once again recognized for its quality in-flight service and cabin crew.

The carrier was awarded 2007 Best Onboard and Flight Attendants from Global Traveler, a U.S. tourism magazine. It received the award for four consecutive years.

It also took the Best Flight Attendants in the World and Best In-Flight Service in the World awards, given by another U.S. magazine Business Traveller. It was also the second straight year for the carrier to win the two categories.

The prizewinners of the awards are selected through surveys on the magazines subscribers and Web site visitors. The survey participants select top airlines at each region and for each service.

``The high recognition of Asiana's in-flight service for recent years is contributable to the high-quality, unique services,'' an Asiana official said.

He said the carrier has tried to improve both hardware and software of air travel for distinctive service.

Remodeling aircrafts with up-to-date systems with a great deal of investment and adopting new tableware designed by Rosenthal are part of its efforts to upgrade the service.

To strengthen the comfort aspect, the carrier has introduced services that other carriers have never tried before, the official said.

Since 2006, an onboard chef makes sushi for first class passengers on the route between Incheon and Los Angeles, so passengers can enjoy both the fresh food and the chef's sushi preparation process.

The carrier also provides cuisine from famous restaurants to passengers starting last fall. They include a course menu of Chinese foods from Toh Lim at Lotte Hotel; steak and lobster from La Cucina; and dimsum from Din Tai Fung.

In-flight events such as flight attendants' fashion show in traditional costumes of several countries, magic shows, makeup services, and birthday parties for passengers have also gained good responses from customers.

``Taking the `singing waiter' concept to new heights, Asiana cabin crews provide a variety of in-flight entertainment for passengers, including magic shows by `the Wizard of Asiana' and a creative cocktail service. Dining options include Japanese, Korean and Western dishes and multi-course `Royal Court' formal dinners, featuring a choice of nine seasonal dishes,'' Business Traveller said.

The award ceremony by Global Traveler was held at Jumeirah Essex House Hotel in New York Wednesday, and that by Business Traveler, at Sofitel Beverly Hills in Los Angeles Thursday.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr