For the seventh year in a
row, Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines has been recognized in the
annual Conde Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards poll.Midwest was named “Domestic Airline with the Best Seats” and “Domestic
Airline with the Best Food” in the 2004 poll, and came in a strong second in
the domestic single-class airline category.

  — Midwest Airlines ranked number one in the best seat category with a
score of 73.1, followed by JetBlue (63.5), American (56.4), Song
(42.7) and Continental (40.4).
  — In the best food category, Midwest Airlines came in first with 54.7
points, more than 14 points above its closest competitor. Song (40.2),
Horizon (34.4), JetBlue (33.5) and Alaska Airlines (32.8) were also
recognized.
  — Midwest Airlines placed second in the top domestic single-class
airline category with a score of 57.9. Others on the list include
JetBlue (63.5), Song (48.0), Horizon (28.3) and Southwest (25.5).

  In announcing the awards, Conde Nast Traveler noted that “With new
aircraft and an expanding route network, Midwest is set to remain a contender:
It recently added flights to Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington,
D.C., from its hubs in Milwaukee and Kansas City on new Boeing 717s outfitted
in ‘Signature Service’ style—21-inch-wide seats in a 2-by-2 configuration
(no middle seats).”
  Timothy E. Hoeksema, chairman and chief executive officer of Midwest
Airlines, said, “It’s extremely gratifying that people who travel frequently
recognize our employees’ efforts to consistently provide comfortable,
attentive and professional service.”
  The poll was conducted by the independent firms of Lieberman Research
Group and the Millard Group. Seven thousand readers of Conde Nast Traveler
identified as frequent business travelers were asked to rate specific airlines
as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor in a variety of categories.
Single-class airlines were judged on seat comfort/legroom, food/beverages,
cabin services, onboard amenities/technology and value for cost. Final scores
represent the percentage of readers who rated an airline excellent or very
good, and are based on a required minimum number of responses. Of the
questionnaires mailed and e-mailed, 1,790 were completed and returned—a 25%
response rate. Of those, the first 1,002 were chosen for tabulation and
analysis. Poll results can be found in the magazine’s October issue.
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