Cathay Pacific crowned OAG Airline of the Year 2006
19 May 2006
JETBLUE WINS BEST LOW COST AIRLINE FOR FIRST TIME
BRITISH AIRWAYS SCOOPS TWO AWARDS
Alan Whicker honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
At a glittering ceremony at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London, Cathay Pacific was last night (Thursday 18 May) named OAG Airline of the Year for the first time.
Cathay also won the 2006 Best Transpacific Airline, was voted Best Airline based in Asia, and was shortlisted in three other categories.
The awards, based on votes polled by a worldwide audience of business travellers, attracted an array of senior figures from the aviation industry. Alan Whicker CBE, the doyen of travel and travel journalism, was the celebrity presenter.
Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG, surprised Alan Whicker by presenting him with the Lifetime Achievement Award, praising his remarkable career spanning almost 60 years.
JetBlue took the title Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline for the first time, beating Southwest Airlines, easyJet and last year’s winner Virgin Blue. British Airways, took home two prestigious awards: Best Airline Based in Western Europe and Best Transatlantic Airline.
Continental Airlines was named Best Airline based in North America for the third year running and Best Business/Executive Class for the fourth consecutive year.
American Airlines was named Airline of Choice for Travellers with a Disability, a new award introduced this year, and Singapore Changi fought off stiff competition to retain the Best Airport title, beating Hong Kong International, Dubai International and Chicago O’Hare.
The Outstanding Service Award went to Maria Benson, manager with Continental Airlines’ “We Care” program, for her dedication and inspiring leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Eddie Bell, commenting on the OAG Awards, said:
“Congratulations to Cathay Pacific on winning the OAG Airline of the Year title, and to the winners in all categories who have been recognised by OAG customers for delivering excellent service for their passengers.”
END
Further Information:
For the results in full please visit the Airline of the Year web site at www.oag.com
All press enquiries/interview requests should be directed to: Amelie de Richemont at DBA on +44 (0)20 7930 8033, mobile +44 (0)7881 555 818, email dba@nchl.demon.co.uk
Notes to Editors
About the Awards
- These annual awards were established in 1982.
- The awards are presented by OAG to recognise and celebrate the achievements of airlines and airports around the globe
- The award is a specially commissioned bronze figure called “Spirit of Flight” by sculptor Sara Ingleby-Mackenzie
- These Awards are based on votes polled from a worldwide audience of business travellers who subscribe to OAG travel information and planning products.
- Votes are collected, processed and analysed by an independent research company.
- The OAG Airline of the Year Awards 2006 are sponsored by Le Royal Hotels.
- Sponsors of individual categories:
Best Airline based in Asia: sponsored by Asian Aerospace
Best Airline based in Central/Eastern Europe: sponsored by TravelPlus
Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: sponsored by Odgers Ray & Berndtson
Best Transatlantic Airline: sponsored by Heathrow Express & Gatwick Expres