OAG, the global flight information and data solutions company, today unveiled the shortlist for its 25th Anniversary Airline of the Year Awards. The winners, along with the Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Service awards, will be announced in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Tuesday 17 April at The Landmark hotel in London.
A total of 42 different airlines have received nominations in 15 regional and global categories. Leading the field in terms of multiple nominations is British Airways with six nominations, closely followed by American Airlines with five and Continental Airlines and Singapore Airlines with four apiece. First time nominees include AirAsia, bmibaby, Etihad and Korean Air.
The finalists for the coveted title “OAG Airline of the Year 2007”, currently held by Cathay Pacific which is nominated in three categories, will comprise the winners of the eight regional awards. Winners of “Airline of the Year” over the previous 25 years include British Airways, British Caledonian, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Swissair and Virgin Atlantic.
Nominees for the world’s best airport – the only non-airline award – include Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK and Singapore Changi plus first-time nominees San Francisco International and Seoul Incheon International.
“OAG’s worldwide customer and subscriber base have spoken and voted in record numbers this year. As in previous years they have thrown up some interesting surprises as well as some perennial favourites amongst the nominees,” says Duncan Alexander, managing director at OAG. “The nominations truly reflect the global nature of the international airline industry and OAG’s clients. I now look forward to the night of 17 April when we will announce the overall winners.”
The annual “OAG Airline of the Year Awards” celebrates the very best in global air travel and publicly recognises the highest standards within the industry. The Awards are in association with TravelPlus; Le Royal Hotels is Official Sponsor of the event, and Boeing is the champagne reception sponsor.
The complete list of nominations for the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards follows, and is available as a .pdf file here.
Best Airline Based in Asia
Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways
Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific
Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Qantas, Virgin Blue
Best Airline Based in North America
Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, 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 the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent
El Al, Emirates, Etihad, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways
Best Airline Based in Africa
Air Mauritius, Egyptair, Kenya Airways, South African Airways
Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, MALEV Hungarian Airlines
Best Airline Based in Western Europe
Air France, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic
Best Transpacific Airline
Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, United Airlines
Best Transatlantic Airline
American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic
Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline
Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas
Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline
AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue
Best Economy/Coach Class
AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue
Best Business/Executive Class
American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Best International First Class
British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines
Best Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, Seoul Incheon International, Singapore Changi