Not one, but three awards have been awarded to the same international airline this year.
Etihad Airways has been announced as the World’s Best Airline at the 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards at a ceremony in the UK overnight. The prestigious passenger-voted awards are the result of 19.2 million completed surveys over 10 months covering 280 airlines, by customers hailing from more than 104 countries. In addition to the top gong, Etihad also took out the award for World’s Best First Class Onboard Catering, and World’s Best First Class Airline Seat for its First Apartments and Suites inside its A380 first class cabins. This year marks the second occasion that the Abu-Dhabi-based airline has taken out all three top awards, and the fourth time it has scooped World’s Best Airline.
Each Etihad Airways First Class section comes complete with an onboard chef. Guests may tailor their own bespoke dining experience from an on-board pantry of fresh produce, or order off an à la carte menu.
The airline’s nine 39 square-feet First Apartments in their A380 are in a league of their own. Each apartment features a soft, supportive armchair made from Poltrona Frau Italian leather and a separate ottoman which converts into a full-length 80.5 inch long bed for a good night’s sleep. A shower is also available for all First Class guests to wash away any long haul jet-lag.
Calum Laming, vice president of guest experience at Etihad Airways, commented that “The airline is tremendously proud that we have yet again been presented with these prestigious awards. We have enhanced the experience even further this year through investment in our products, services and cabins and this is a welcome reward for those efforts.”
