Etihad scoops major honours at Business Traveller Awards

The Abu Dhabi-based airline picked up the awards at a recent ceremony attended by 500 local and international guests at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.

Etihad Airways was also runner-up in four other categories: best airline frequent flyer programme, best regional airline, airline with best economy class and airline with best first class.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer said:

"To be voted best business class airline in the Middle East by the people that count the most - the region's business travellers - represents another huge endorsement of Etihad's premium products and services. We've invested heavily in business class and it is pleasing to see that this focus is paying dividends."

"For our cabin crew also to be voted the best in the Middle East - for the second year running - is particularly pleasing."

Etihad Airways created history recently by becoming the first airline in the world to win five World Travel Awards in a single ceremony.

The airline scooped leading airline, leading first class, leading airline lounge, leading airline website and leading international marketing campaign at the 2009 World Travel Awards Middle East ceremony in Dubai.

In April, Etihad Airways won the Skytrax World Airline Award for having the best business class in the world following a global poll by 16 million air travellers. The airline also won the world's best business class catering award.

The airline's loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, has also recently been voted best website, best member communication, best bonus promotion and best award redemption at the global 'Freddie' awards. The programme also claimed runners up spot in three other categories: best award, best customer service and programme of the year.