Etihad Airways has been named The Middle East’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards Middle East, representing a decade of dominance in the category, and one of four accolades proudly collected last night during a prestigious ceremony at The St. Regis Dubai.
The national airline
of the UAE also won awards for the Middle East’s Leading Airline - First Class,
the Middle East's Leading Airport Lounge for its First Class Lounge & Spa
at Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew.
Peter Baumgartner,
Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “These awards are about
excellence in the travel and tourism industry, and since winning The Middle
East’s Leading Airline award for the first time in 2006, our journey of
excellence has been remarkable.
“This recognition
demonstrates a sustained focus on delivering the very best products, service
and value through innovation in a competitive marketplace. This would not have
been possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff and business partners,
and, of course, the support of guests globally who have chosen to travel with
us.”
Etihad Airways has
grown from 22 aircraft, flying to 43 destinations and supported by 4,369 staff
in 2006 - to a fleet of 123 aircraft, serving 117 destinations with nearly
27,000 multi-national staff today.
The Abu Dhabi-based
airline has become synonymous with the highest standards in products and
service, including the best First Class offering in the world. The First
Apartment aboard the Airbus 380 and the First Suite on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
are at the forefront of luxury air travel, building on the award-winning First
Class experience on the A330, A340 and Boeing 777 fleet. The Residence, with its
elite Butlers, is in a league of its own within the A380. The airline continues
to be the world’s only full service carrier offering a three-room suite in the
sky.
Mr Baumgartner added:
“It is also a major achievement to win the Middle East's Leading Airport Lounge
following the opening in May of Etihad Airways’ First Class Lounge & Spa at
Abu Dhabi International Airport. What we now offer is quite simply the best
airline hospitality experience in the world.”
Inspiration for the lounge
comes from the finest examples of hotels, private members’ clubs and
restaurants. The facility includes an à la carte restaurant, cigar lounge, Six
Senses Spa, fitness room, Style & Shave barbers, nail bar and children’s
play room – all to ensure guests can relax, re-energise and be immersed in
entertainment ahead of their flights.
While Etihad Airways boasts
a modern fleet of aircraft, the airline exudes a classic elegance with its Italian-designed
cabin crew uniforms. The airline’s international cabin crew are highly trained,
while the warmth and friendliness they bring to the cabin environment reflect the
importance of personality during recruitment. Also enhancing the experience are
the Onboard Chefs, Food and Beverage Managers, Butlers and Flying Nannies.
Now in its 23rd
year, the World Travel Awards celebrates excellence across key sectors of the
travel and tourism industry. Winners are initially selected at six regional
ceremonies, including the Middle East event, before progressing to a year-end
global finale. Votes are cast by travel industry executives and travel
consumers.