ETIHAD AIRWAYS NAMED BEST FIRST CLASS AND BEST LONG HAUL AIRLINE MIDDLE-EAST AND AFRICA

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has been named Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa at the AirlineRatings.com 2016 Airline Excellence Awards.

AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only comprehensive safety and product rating portal, celebrates and promotes excellence in the airline industry. The pinnacle of these efforts is its annual Airline Excellence Awards, which are decided by AirlineRatings.com’s editorial team.

AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, Geoffrey Thomas, said the judging panel had been impressed by Etihad Airways’ industry-leading innovation.

“Etihad’s commitment to excellence appears to know no bounds. The airline’s new First class and Business class offerings are breathtaking and have set a new benchmark in luxury travel.

“In its first 12 years, Etihad Airways has stamped itself not only as a major force in the airline industry but a trendsetter – an incredible achievement.

“Etihad Airways has an uncompromising attitude to excellence. For the airline, only the best will do.”

Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said the prestigious awards were a vote of confidence in the UAE flag carrier’s innovation strategy and guest experience design and delivery.

“To be named Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa – two very competitive categories – is an honour.

“Over the past 12 months, Etihad Airways has completely reimagined the flying experience with the launch of our next-generation cabins on board the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

“These awards are further proof that the experience we offer in First Class, as well as in Business and Economy, has set a new global benchmark for air travel and that Etihad Airways is continuing to exceed travellers’ expectations.”

Etihad Airways’ success at the AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards follows a succession of accolades for Etihad Airways’ guest experience during 2015. These include the award for Best First Class at the annual Ultratravel Middle East Awards (ULTRAs) in November; Airline of the Year at the TTG awards in the UK in September; Best Airline, Best First Class and Best Arrivals Lounge at the Australian Business Traveller Awards in August; the World Travel Awards Middle East for Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline - First Class, and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew in May; the Crystal Cabin Award for its innovative A380 upper deck cabins at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg; and the PAX International awards for Best New IFE/Connectivity Launch by an Airline and Best Inflight Duty Free Program.