FLYBE, which flies to nine airports from the Isle of Man, is celebrating after being named top British short-haul airline in a poll.

In an airlines satisfaction survey, carried out by consumer watchdog Which?, Flybe beat competition from other British airlines such as British Airways, BMI, Easyjet and Ryanair.

The survey, conducted using a sample of 5,745 people, rated airlines on areas including cabin staff, cleanliness, seating arrangements, leg room, cabin baggage allowance, checked bags allowance, dealing with delays and value for money. 

Flybe had an overall score of 62 per cent, receiving high marks for cleanliness and seating arrangements. The airline also scored good points for their cabin staff, leg room, cabin baggage allowance, checked in bags allowance and the way in which it deals with delays.

It fared less well in the value for money category.

Including all airlines providing short-haul services and not just British ones, Flybe was eighth in the table, though not too far behind in terms of its score.

Swiss topped the poll with 72 per cent while Aer Lingus was second with 71 per cent.  

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s chief commercial officer said: "Flybe is extremely proud and delighted to have been named the top UK airline in the Which? Holiday popularity poll, especially receiving top marks in the cleanliness and seating arrangements categories.

"I would like to thank our staff who work tirelessly to provide our passengers with first class customer service at affordable prices, and our loyal passengers for helping us to accomplish these fantastic achievements."

Flybe fly to  Jersey, Southampton, London Gatwick, Bristol, London Luton, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow from the Isle of Man.

Details of the survey can be found at: www.which.co.uk/airlinesurvey