Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has moved up one spot to rank eighth in the Top Airlines, Worldwide category under the Best in Travel 2009 Poll.

The poll, which is conducted by Smart Travel Asia, the dedicated travel magazine for Asia, also sees MAS tie with Lufthansa for the spot.

MAS managing director and chief executive officer, Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin said they were delighted to receive the recognition.

“We will remain focused on doing ordinary things that matter most to customers extraordinarily well,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

He added the airlines remained committed in providing its customers with a “seamless travel experience”.

He said MAS customers will be among the first to experience the 737-800 Boeing Sky Interior as it was the second airline in the world to take delivery of the aircraft beginning next year.

MAS was in fifth place in the Top 10 Airlines, Cabin Service and ranked eighth Top 10 Airlines Business Class categories. The Best in Travel 2009 Poll ran for three months from May this year.

The selection criteria was based on a combination of actual travel experience, word-of-mouth and an idea of the brand drawn from advertising and editorial exposure in the media, primarily online.