Tell Airlines What You Really Think

Did you have a recent flight experience that you want to anonymously praise or criticize? There's a quick and easy way to let the airlines know about your travels — and they care what you think.

Source: APEX

Passenger Choice Awards

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) is a network of both airlines and suppliers who provide everything you experience onboard and at the airport. From ticket purchase through baggage claim, the association works with its 430 members to improve the total travel experience. The group runs a year-round survey and collects data from the end user — the airline passenger.

"The Passenger Choice Awards program was established to capture opinions and views from airline travelers about the many aspects that make up the overall airline passenger experience," says Patrick Brannelly, APEX industry leader, on the company's website. "APEX's members, comprising most of the leading world airlines and suppliers to airlines, are focused on delivering and improving that experience."

Voting is currently open for the 2012 Passenger Choice Awards and it runs through June 30, 2012.

I just took the survey about my recent flight experience on United Airlines and was asked to rate several categories, including:

• Pre-flight experience (ticketing, check in, airline lounges and boarding)
• In-flight entertainment
• In-flight connectivity (In-flight power, telephones, internet)
• Airline informational videos
• Food and beverage
• Cabin ambiance
• In-flight publication

Source: APEX

The survey allows you to select only those categories you wish to rate. So given my flight didn't have connectivity and I didn't bother to read the airline's magazine in the seatback pocket, I only selected those products and services I experienced. It took less than two minutes to complete.

They encourage you to vote as often as you want. After each voting period, the data is confidentially provided to member airlines.

An awards ceremony will then be held at the APEX 2012 EXPO in September recognizing this year's winners.

Here were the 2011 award winners:

Best Overall Passenger Experience (Over 50 IFE Equipped Aircraft in fleet) — Emirates

Best Overall Passenger Experience (Up to 50 IFE Equipped Aircraft in fleet) — Virgin America

Best in Region: Africa — South African Airways

Best in Region: Americas — Virgin America

Best in Region: Asia and Australasia — V Australia (now Virgin Australia)

Best in Region: Europe — Virgin Atlantic

Best in Region: Middle East — Emirates

Best In-flight Publication — Avianca

Best IFE User Interface — V Australia

Best In-flight Connectivity and Communications — Oman Air

Best In-flight Video — Virgin America

Best Cabin Ambiance — JetBlue

Best Food and Beverage — V Australia

Best Ground Experience — Virgin America