British Airways was named airline of the year for the first time in almost two decades at last night’s OAG Airline of the Year Awards in London.
The airline also picked up awards as Best Transatlantic Airline, Best Europe-Asia/Australasia Airline, and best airline based in Western Europe, and was shortlisted in three other categories.
BA last won the OAG Airline of the Year Award in 1988 and now ties with Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic in having won the title on five occasions since the inception of the awards in 1982.
OAG CEO Alan Glass said: “British Airways performed solidly in just about every category it was eligible for. 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.”
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.
Singapore Airlines retained the Best International First Class awards and was voted the best airline in Asia.
Cathay Pacific, last year’s airline of the year, retained its crown as Best Transpacific Airline.
Regional winners 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).
Seoul Incheon International fought off stiff competition to become Best Airport. crown. Korea was a double winner with Korean Air winning Best Economy Class.
JetBlue was Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline for the second time, beating AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Blue.
The Outstanding Service Award went to Maria Sabbah, BMED sales manager in Lebanon, recognising her dedication and inspiring leadership during the aftermath of the air attacks on Beirut and its international airport. She helped hundreds of stranded passengers from all airlines to find their way home safely from Lebanon.
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou was presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Winners and Nominees for the 25th OAG Airline of the Year Awards:
OAG Airline of the Year 2007: British Airways
Aeromexico, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Emirates, Qantas,
South African Airways, Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Based in Asia: Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways
Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas
Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Virgin Blue
Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines
Air Canada, American Airlines (Commended), Delta Air Lines, United Airlines
Best Airline Based in Central/S.America & Caribbean: Aeromexico
Copa Airlines, LAN Airlines, Mexicana, TAM Brazilian Airlines
Best Airline Based in Western Europe: British Airways
Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic
Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, MALEV Hungarian Airlines
Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates
El Al, Etihad, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways (Commended)
Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways
Air Mauritius, Egyptair, Kenya Airways
Best Transatlantic Airline: British Airways
American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic
Best Transpacific Airline: Cathay Pacific
Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Qantas, United Airlines
Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: British Airways
Air France, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas
Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline: JetBlue
AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue
Best Economy/Coach Class: Korean Air
American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines
Best Business/Executive Class: Continental Airlines
American Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic (Commended)
Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines
British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air,
Best Airport: Seoul Incheon International
Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, Singapore Changi (Commended)
by Phil Davies
