Etihad scoops best airline website award

The Abu Dhabi-based airline won the award for the second year in a row at the high profile event, held at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, which recognises excellence in web design and marketing.

Etihad's website received particular praise at the awards ceremony for its customer friendly and innovative features such as online check-in, advance seat selection and the online flight-checker service which allows users to view the aircraft's status by simply entering the relevant flight number, flight departure or arrival destination.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' executive vice president marketing and product, said:

"Etihad Airways constantly aims to deliver a high quality travel experience at every customer touch point, especially online at our innovative website. As the airline has evolved so has our online strategy, the centrepiece of which is an integrated full-service website, which now offers our customers the ability to plan their journey, book their tickets, check-in and even select their favourite seat. To be recognised by the industry is a real honour for us".

The website, etihadairways.com, offers users a booking engine which is fully integrated with the airline's loyalty programme and customer relationship management (CRM) applications which further enhance personal contact with customers.

Customers can also book any flights and products from the award winning "web shop" using any miles and cash combination of their choice.

Tehmton Cooper, Etihad Airways' head of global contact centres and eCommerce added: "Etihad continues to add new features to its website aimed at improving the customer online experience. As a direct result we have seen an impressive growth in online sales".

Etihad has also launched local websites exclusively for specific markets which are in local languages and offer special web fares with best price guarantees and local information tailored to a customer's specific requirements.

Further new features which will shortly be introduced on the website include a flexible price search engine and real-time communication facilities for mobile technology devices such as WAP (wireless application protocol).