Etihad Airways named ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline’

Wednesday, 4 May 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Etihad Airways has won four titles at the annual World Travel Awards ceremony for the Middle East, held Monday evening, including the coveted title as the ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline’.

The ceremony took place at the Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, setting the scene for a hugely successful evening for Etihad. The Abu Dhabi-based airline also received the Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class award, Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff award and Middle East’s Leading Airline In-flight Entertainment award.

As voted on by 213,000 travel industry professionals from around the world, the World Travel Awards’ spotlight the best in travel regionally and globally.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “It is truly an honour to win Leading Airline for the Middle East.

Our home market is extremely important to Etihad, so I am especially pleased to be recognised by our guests and peers from the region in this way.”

“We continually aim to deliver exceptional service and superior product and to receive this award demonstrates that the airline industry and our guests believe we are consistent in doing so. I hope this award encourages more and more customers to fly with the best.”

With this title win, Etihad is now the only airline to represent the Middle East region in these categories at the global World Travel Awards held in London later in the year, where the best of the world compete.

The award for Middle East’s Leading First Class Airline recognises Etihad’s Diamond First class suites, which feature a luxurious Poltrona Frau leather seat that converts to a fully flat bed, a large wood-finished table, Arabic-styled sliding doors offering complete privacy, a 23-inch personal entertainment screen, a personal wardrobe with mirror, and four individual lighting options with dimmers, in-seat power points and USBs. The First class cabin also includes a spacious and comfortable changing room.

The ‘Inspired Service’ concept was a key reason behind Etihad winning the title of Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff. The concept was developed across all cabins to ensure that each passenger receives a personalised and attentive service, tailored to individual requirements, during the flight.

Etihad’s state-of-the art E-BOX on-demand system won the Middle East’s Leading In-flight Entertainment.

The E-BOX allows customers to enjoy more than 600 hours of the latest movies, TV shows, music and interactive games as well as recharge laptop computers and mobile devices.

In what has been an exciting week for Etihad, the airline’s service was also praised at the Business Travel Awards, where it received the award for ‘Best Cabin Crew’.