Press Releases 2004
Continental Airlines Wins OAG Airline of the Year Award 2004
21 May 2004
UNITED AIRLINES TAKES INAUGURAL AWARD FOR BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Lord Marshall honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
Continental Airlines was last night (Thursday May 20) named OAG Airline of the Year 2004 at a glittering ceremony at The Park Lane Hotel, London.
It is the first US based carrier to win the title since the awards were established 22 years ago. Continental also won the Best Executive/Business Class category and was voted Best Airline based in North America in the OAG awards, and was shortlisted in three other categories. OAG is an independent global content management company, specializing in travel and transport.
The awards, based on votes polled by a worldwide audience of business travelers, attracted an array of senior figures from the aviation industry. Television personality, Clive Anderson, presented the awards.
A brand new category was introduced for 2004, Best Marketing Campaign, which was won by United Airlines for their “We Are United UK” campaign. LanChile won the award for Best Airline based in Central/South America & Caribbean for the second year running.
OAG also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Lord Marshall, Chairman of British Airways. Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG, praised Lord Marshall’s great contribution to the airline industry over the last 20 years saying:
“He has done a spectacular job, in difficult circumstances, for the airline industry.”
The Outstanding Service Award, presented to airline or airport staff who have acted above and beyond the call of duty, was awarded to bmi stewardesses Karen Cornelius, Sally Cast and Ellen Davies, whose quick thinking and cool heads saved a passenger who suffered a massive heart attack on board a flight from Chicago to London.
Using bmi’s special diagnostic equipment, the stewardesses linked up via satellite with doctors on the casualty unit of an Arizona hospital and literally helped save passenger Stephen Clarke’s life.
Eddie Bell, commenting on the OAG Awards said:
“Congratulations to Continental Airlines on winning the OAG Airline of the Year Awards. Continental has consistently improved the quality of its service and this fact has been duly recognized by its customers.
“Dubai International airport won Best Airport in a closely contested category and deserves congratulations for narrowly pipping Singapore Chiangi, who have held the airport title for eight consecutive years. The winner of our Best Marketing Campaign award, United Airlines, was a witty and worthy victor, whose adverts made me laugh.
“We are especially delighted, this year, to present an OAG Lifetime Achievement Award to Lord Marshall from BA. His long standing service and valuable contribution to the industry has been magnificent, guiding BA through some turbulent times.”
The Asia Pacific region fared very well, with Singapore Airlines taking home four awards including Best International First Class and Best Economy/Coach Class. Cathay Pacific Airways won Best Trans-Pacific Airline, and Australian based Virgin Blue won best Low Cost/No Frills Airline, beating incumbent title holder Southwest Airlines as well as easyJet and Ryanair.
UK flag carrier, British Airways took home two prestigious awards: Best Airline Based in Western Europe and Best Trans-Atlantic Airline.
CSA Czech Airlines won the Best Airline based in Central/Eastern Europe for the first time.
Notes to Editors
The awards are based on votes polled from a worldwide audience of business travelers who subscribe to OAG print and electronic products. Votes are collected, processed and analysed by an independent research company.