BA sweeps the board in airline awards

British Airways was named airline of the year for the first time in almost two decades at last night’s OAG Airline of the Year Awards in London.

The airline also picked up awards as Best Transatlantic Airline, Best Europe-Asia/Australasia Airline, and best airline based in Western Europe, and was shortlisted in three other categories.  

BA last won the OAG Airline of the Year Award in 1988 and now ties with Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic in having won the title on five occasions since the inception of the awards in 1982.

OAG CEO Alan Glass said: “British Airways performed solidly in just about every category it was eligible for. The people that matter, the world’s frequent fliers, made it very clear in the way they voted that they like what BA is offering them.”

Continental Airlines retained the Best Business Class title for a fifth successive year as well as being voted best airline in North America for a fourth consecutive year – just pipping American Airlines.

Singapore Airlines retained the Best International First Class awards and was voted the best airline in Asia.

Cathay Pacific, last year’s airline of the year, retained its crown as Best Transpacific Airline.

Regional winners for best airline included Singapore Airlines (Asia), Qantas (Australasia / Pacific), Continental Airlines (North America), Aeromexico (Central/South America and the Caribbean), Emirates (Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent), South African Airways (Africa), British Airways (Western Europe), and CSA Czech Airlines (Central/Eastern Europe).

Seoul Incheon International fought off stiff competition to become Best Airport. crown. Korea was a double winner with Korean Air winning Best Economy Class.

JetBlue was Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline for the second time, beating AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Blue.

The Outstanding Service Award went to Maria Sabbah, BMED sales manager in Lebanon, recognising her dedication and inspiring leadership during the aftermath of the air attacks on Beirut and its international airport. She helped hundreds of stranded passengers from all airlines to find their way home safely from Lebanon.

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou was presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Winners and Nominees for the 25th OAG Airline of the Year Awards:

 OAG Airline of the Year 2007: British Airways

Aeromexico, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Emirates, Qantas,

South African Airways, Singapore Airlines

Best Airline Based in Asia: Singapore Airlines

Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways

Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas

Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Virgin Blue

Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines

Air Canada, American Airlines (Commended), Delta Air Lines, United Airlines

Best Airline Based in Central/S.America & Caribbean: Aeromexico

Copa Airlines, LAN Airlines, Mexicana, TAM Brazilian Airlines

Best Airline Based in Western Europe: British Airways

Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic

Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines

Aeroflot Russian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, MALEV Hungarian Airlines

Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates

El Al, Etihad, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways (Commended)

Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways

Air Mauritius, Egyptair, Kenya Airways

Best Transatlantic Airline: British Airways

American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic

Best Transpacific Airline: Cathay Pacific

Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Qantas, United Airlines

Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: British Airways

Air France, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas

Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline: JetBlue

AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue

Best Economy/Coach Class: Korean Air

American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines

Best Business/Executive Class: Continental Airlines

American Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic (Commended)

Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air,

Best Airport: Seoul Incheon International

Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, Singapore Changi (Commended)

by Phil Davies