ABU DHABI, 2014-12-5 — /Travel PR News/ — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has won the coveted Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa categories in the AirlineRatings.com 2015 Airline Excellence Awards. The airline was also ranked in second position in the world’s top 10.
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.
In announcing the awards, the editors praised Etihad Airways for the industry leading innovation that has resulted in exceptional performance in market position, customer service, financial performance, fiscal management and operational safety.
Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of AirlineRatings.com, said: “Etihad Airways’ 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 11 years Etihad Airways has stamped itself not only as a major force in the airline industry but as a trendsetter – an incredible achievement.
“Etihad Airways has an uncompromising attitude to excellence. For the airline only the best will do.”
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are incredibly pleased and proud to receive the 2015 AirlineRatings.com awards for Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline in the Middle East and Africa, and to have been placed second in the world’s top 10.
“The wins cap off another successful year – not just in terms of the number of awards and accolades we have received, but also for the way in which our ground breaking innovation in product and service has made headlines on all six continents and elevated the Etihad Airways brand into the global consciousness.
“In recognising the top priority we place on safety and sustainable financial performance, these awards also validate our game-changing business strategy.”
Today’s AirlineRatings.com awards add to an impressive list of accolades the airline has received in 2014. These include the CAPA Airline of the Year Award for strategic leadership in the aviation industry; Society of British and International Design (SBID) Awards for industry-leading cabin design for the new First Apartments on its Airbus A380; Airline of the Year, Cargo Operator of the Year (Commercial Airline) and MRO Service Provider of the Year at the Middle East Aviation Business Awards 2014; Payload Asia magazine’s Rising Star Carrier of the Year for its Etihad Cargo division; Employer of the Year at the Middle East HR Excellence Awards 2014; Best Up In The Air Experience award at Future Travel Experience Awards 2014; Airline of the Year – First Class at the 13th Annual China Travel & Meeting Industry Awards 2014; Sustainability & Environment Award at Ireland’s inaugural Aviation Industry Awards 2014; and Middle East’s Leading Airline, the Middle East’s Leading Airline – First Class and the Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2014
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About AirlineRatings.com
AirlineRatings was launched in June 2013 and rates the safety and in flight product of 450 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. It has been used by millions of passengers from 232 countries and has become the industry standard for safety and product rating. Its safety rating system is endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The editorial team is one of the world’s most experienced with almost 40 international and national awards. They have also authored or co-authored more than 27 industry books.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 105 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising equity investments in Alitalia and Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
*Operated by Darwin Airline
For more information contact:
Stephen Mahoney, Etihad Airways Corporate Affairs
Mobile: +61 488 125 538
Email: smahoney@etihad.ae