ROYAL Brunei Airlines (RBA) was recently graded as a "three-star airline" by Skytrax Research, the leading quality advisors to world airline and airport industries.

Graded out of five stars, RBA's three-star ranking signifies a "satisfactory" standard of core product across most travel categories but reflects poor or less consistent standards of staff service or product quality in selected onboard features.

According to their rankings, three stars are awarded to airlines delivering a fair quality performance, but with greater levels of inconsistency.

RBA scored well on general ratings such as the website's ease of use, staff grooming and presentation, cabin safety standards and cockpit communication.

As for the age of aircraft in fleet and handling of delays or cancellations, the airline only achieved an average score.

Skytrax Research's scoresheet also rated RBA's business class lounge and long-haul flights with four stars given on the comfort of the waiting lounge and enthusiastic, efficient service.

Other three-star airlines in the region include Air Asia, Philippine Airlines, Tiger Airways and Garuda Indonesia. Skytrax Research are specialist research advisors to the air transport industry through quality benchmarking.

They undertake product and service analysis and passenger research studies for airlines, airline alliances, airports and related air transport product and service suppliers across the globe. A privately-owned UK based company, they have unrivalled experience and knowledge of these specialist markets. (GDN1)