Etihad gets ‘Airline of the Year’ award for third straight year

Dubai / Emirates Business

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has been awarded the ‘Airline of the Year’ award for the third consecutive year by UK magazine, Travel Trade Gazette (TTG).
The awards were announced on Monday night at a prestigious ceremony at the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End.
The airline was nominated in two categories – ‘Airline of the Year’ – and in a special category for ‘Travel Company of the Year’, where Etihad Airways was the only airline mentioned. The entry mechanism for the award was redesigned for 2016 as only the agents’ best-rated supplier in each of the 15 categories was shortlisted.
James Harrison, General Manager for Etihad Airways in the UK, said: “I am delighted that we have won this prestigious award for the third time as it recognises the airline’s world-class product and service, as well as our strong commercial relationships with the trade.
“Additionally, the award recognises the hard work that’s been put in, not just over the last 12 months, but over a prolonged period. Alongside the introduction of Edinburgh and the expansion of our A380’s into London, it has helped to increase our brand awareness with the trade and our guests.”
Etihad Airways has a long and established history of operating from the UK, having first launched services from London to Abu Dhabi in 2004. The London Heathrow services are now fully served by A380s and are home to ‘The Residence’ – the industry’s only three room suite in the sky – and the airline’s award winning First Class product.
Etihad’s economy product has also been enhanced with café services, superior inflight entertainment and nannies to assist young families, while the economy smart seat has been specially designed to ensure optimum comfort.
As well as the London services, the airline runs double-daily services from Manchester Airport to Abu Dhabi and beyond, while the Edinburgh service has just celebrated a successful first anniversary. The company operates dedicated Premium Lounges at the airports of London Heathrow and Manchester.
Etihad Airways also has a strong presence in UK sport through its sponsorship of Manchester City Football Club and the England Cricket Team. While 2016 has seen the airline further grow its presence through support for London Fashion Week and the Taste of London Festival.
TTG was established as Travel Trade Gazette in 1953 as the world’s first weekly travel trade newspaper. The TTG Travel Awards are regarded as being the toughest in the business to win, while the awards ceremony is renowned for breaking the mould.

ETIHAD TO INCREASE CAPACITY TO AUSTRALIA FROM FEBruary 2017

Etihad Airways will add three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney to operate a double-daily schedule from February 6, 2017. The morning departure from Abu Dhabi – EY450 – and the afternoon departure from Sydney – EY451 – will increase from four to seven flights per week.
This enhancement to the airline’s Sydney schedule comes with the move by strategic partner Virgin Australia to shift its Australia to Abu Dhabi operation from Sydney to Perth from 9 June 2017.
Expanding the codeshare agreement, Etihad Airways will add its EY code to Virgin Australia’s new three weekly Perth-Abu Dhabi flights.
The combined impact of the additional Sydney capacity and new codeshare with Virgin Australia is an increase in the UAE flag carrier’s Australian footprint from a total of 42 to 45 weekly flights.
To maintain schedule continuity, Etihad Airways will operate its three new weekly Sydney services at the same timings as Virgin Australia’s current Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights, on which Etihad Airways has placed its EY code since they began in February 2011.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said: “Australia is a critical part of our network, and we will continue to add capacity in order to meet the growing two-way demand for business and leisure travel.
“The allocation of our newest equipment, the A380 and B787, to all four Australian gateways, and investment of our next-generation product and service offering demonstrate our commitment to this highly competitive market.”
Baumgartner also highlighted the benefits for travellers of the new codeshare with Virgin Australia and capacity increase on the Perth route.
“From mid-2017, business and leisure travellers on the Perth route will enjoy the convenience of 10 weekly non-stop flights to our Abu Dhabi hub and seamless connectivity to more than 55 cities across Etihad Airways’ global network.”
Among the new two-way connected markets for Perth are Athens, Beirut, Geneva, Istanbul, and a number of African destinations including Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Khartoum and Nairobi.
The additional Sydney flights will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, the aircraft type operating the current EY450/451 pattern. The aircraft is configured with eight seats in First Class, 40 in Business Class and 280 in Economy Class.