Etihad Airways has won the award for 'Best First Class' at the annual Ultratravel Middle East Awards (ULTRAs) ceremony, which was held recently at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel in Dubai, UAE.
The award is another major accolade for the UAE national airline’s first class experience, which has repeatedly been voted best in the world, said a statement.
The ULTRAs are voted for by the readers of Ultratravel Middle East, the regional edition of the United Kingdom’s exclusive Ultratravel magazine, a high-end luxury travel publication which was launched in the UK in 2004 in partnership with the Daily Telegraph, it said.
Ultratravel Middle East is distributed in English and Arabic within The National and Al Ittihad newspapers.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “This award further validates and recognises the tremendous efforts which have gone in to creating the most innovative, stylish and luxurious first class service in the air. We are incredibly proud to receive it.
“This year has been a momentous one for Etihad Airways. The revolutionary cabin concepts we launched in 2014 are now a reality, already flying on our new fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
"The Etihad Airways brand has been catapulted into the global consciousness as the world-leading provider of remarkable travel experiences in all classes of service.”
Etihad unveiled ground-breaking First Class cabins with the introduction of its fleet of A380s and B787-9 aircraft, with five of each type delivered to date, said the statement.
Nick Perry, chairman of Ultratravel, said: “With the introduction of revolutionary inflight innovations such as The Residence, with its three rooms, and the airline’s new First Apartments and First Suites, Etihad is redefining what world-class hospitality and First Class travel can be for its guests.”
The A380 First Class cabin boasts nine First Apartments, unique living spaces which at 39 square feet in area, are 74 per cent larger than the airline’s current award-winning First Class suites, and feature a Poltrona Frau leather armchair and a separate ottoman which converts into a full-length 80.5 inch long bed, said the statement.
A dedicated shower room is available for exclusive use by first class guests, it said.
The B787s have been equipped with eight private First Suites in a unique curved aisle setting, an airline industry first, with a 10 per cent increase in personal space.
The forward and aft facing suites feature a large Poltrona Frau leather armchair which converts into an 80.5 inch fully-flat bed. The suites feature 24 inch TV monitors, large dining tables for dual dining, personal wardrobes and privacy doors, it added. - TradeArabia News Service