First in its class for British Airways

The airline, which celebrates its 75th anniversary of Middle East services later this year, scooped the coveted Best First Class and Best European Airline gongs after topping reader's surveys in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon and Egypt.

"It's fantastic to be recognised by the people who really matter - the businessmen and women who rely on airlines, hotels and car hire companies in their everyday working lives," said Claire Guppy, British Airways' Corporate Sales Manager, Middle East, who collected the awards for the airline.

"Our product offerings to our loyal business customers will only improve over the next twelve months. The roll-out of our new Club World cabin is gathering pace, we're moving ahead with our enhancements to FIRST - which as this award shows is already the industry leader - and we'll be switching the airline's Heathrow operations to our dedicated Terminal Five facility in March 2008.

"We also have our landmark 75th anniversary of Middle East services to look forward to in October - I'm sure we'll be back for more awards next year," continued Guppy.

Also nominated in the Best Airline, Best Airline Frequent Flyer Programme, Best Economy Class and Best Business Class categories, the BTME awards represent the second time in two weeks - British Airways was crowned Airline of the Year at last month's OAG awards in London - that the UK carrier has scooped awards voted for by passengers.

British Airways operates a twice daily service to London Heathrow from Dubai, and a daily service from Abu Dhabi International Airport to the UK's principal airport.