London's Landmark Hotel was the host for last night's 25th OAG awards glittering gala evening with Princess Anne as guest of honour. Her Royal Highness presented the coveted Spirit of Flight trophy for Airline of the Year to British Airways CEO, Willie Walsh. British Airways also picked up awards as Best Transatlantic Airline, Best Europe-Asia/Australasia Airline and Best Airline Based in Western Europe, and was short listed in three other categories.
”British Airways performed solidly in just about every category it was eligible for,” said OAG CEO, Alan Glass. ”The people that matter, the world”s frequent fliers, made it very clear in the way they voted that they like what BA is offering them. British Airways is a very worthy recipient of this year”s OAG Airline of the Year Award.”
Other multiple winners on the night were Continental Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Continental Airlines retained the Best Business Class title for a fifth successive year as well as being voted Best Airline in North America for a fourth consecutive year just pipping American Airlines, who were commended. Singapore Airlines retained Best International First Class and was voted the Best Airline in Asia, while last year”s Airline of the Year, Cathay Pacific, retained its crown as Best Transpacific Airline.
Reflecting the global reach of the OAG awards, regional winners on the night for Best Airline included Singapore Airlines (Asia), Qantas (Australasia/Pacific), Continental Airlines (North America), Aeromexico (Central/South America and the Caribbean), Emirates (Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent), South African Airways (Africa), British Airways (Western Europe), and CSA Czech Airlines (Central/Eastern Europe). All the regional winners were eligible for Airline of the Year.
Seoul Incheon International fought off extremely stiff competition to win the Best Airport crown. It just edged out last year”s winner Singapore Changi which was commended, and also beat Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK and San Francisco International. Korea was a double winner with Korean Air, short listed for the first time this year, winning Best Economy Class.
JetBlue won Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline for the second time, beating AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Blue.
”OAG”s worldwide customer and subscriber base have spoken and voted in record numbers this year,” noted OAG managing director, Duncan Alexander. ”A total of 42 different airlines received nominations this year in 15 regional and global categories. As in previous years the results have thrown up some interesting surprises as well as some perennial favourites.”
EasyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Maria Sabbah, sales manager of BMED”s Lebanon office, won the Outstanding Service Award for her work during the aftermath of the air attacks on Beirut and its international airport in July 2006.
Winners of the OAG Airline of the Year Awards 2007:
Best airline based in Asia:
Singapore Airlines
Best airline based in Australasia/Pacific:
Qantas
Best airline based in North America:
Continental Airlines
Best airline based in Central/South America & Caribbean:
Aeromexico
Best airline based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent:
Emirates
Best Airline based in Africa:
South African Airways
Best airline based in Central/Eastern Europe:
CSA Czech Airlines
Best airline based in Western Europe:
British Airways
Best transpacific airline:
Cathay Pacific
Best transatlantic airline:
British Airways
Best Europe - Asia/Australasia airline:
British Airways
Best low cost/no frills airline:
Virgin Blue
Best economy/coach class:
Korean Air
Best business/executive class:
Continental Airlines
Best international first class:
Singapore Airlines
Best airport:
Seoul Incheon International