Etihad Again Tops Skytrax First Class Awards

Etihad Airways has swept the Skytrax World Airline Awards’ First Class category, receiving all three awards, for the second year in a row.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, receives one of the SKYTRAX First Class category awards from CNN’s Richard Quest.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline took home the coveted title of “Best First Class” for the fourth consecutive year, as well as taking home top honors for “Best First Class Seats” and “Best First Class Catering.”

The awards, which are voted on by travelers from more than 160 countries, were presented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony at the Paris Air Show held on 18 June.

“It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honors in every First Class category again, underlining our leading premium product proposition,” Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said.

“We believe that world-class hospitality should not be limited to hotels and restaurants, so we are elevating the travel experience by bringing the best of hospitality to every touch point in the journey,” he added.

Air travelers completed the SKYTRAX online survey questionnaire about their experience with airlines on the ground and onboard, during a 10-month period. The survey covered over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.