Etihad Airways flies higher

Etihad Airways is once again a big winner in the 2017 AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards announced on Monday November 14. The airline won for the third consecutive year Best First Class, Best Long Haul Airline (Middle East/Africa) and also ranked in the AirlineRatings.com Top Ten. AirlineRatings.com is the world’s only safety and product rating website and promotes excellence and innovation in the airline industry and the pinnacle of these efforts is its Airline Excellence Awards. Best First Class Etihad’s First Class product continues to be a clear standout since its introduction in 2015. According to AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas “Etihad’s commitment to excellence appears to know no bounds. The airline’s new First Class and Business Class offerings are quite stunning and have set the bar at a new high.” “In what is an incredible achievement in just over 14 years Etihad Airways has stamped itself not only as a major force in the airline industry but a trendsetter.” Take a video stroll through Etihad's exclusive First Class cabin. Best Long Haul Airline Etihad’s win for the Middle East/Africa for the third year running comes against stiff competition from Emirates and Qatar Airways. These three airlines are global giants that are dominating global aviation. “Etihad Airways is the new kid on the block and is challenging the product leadership and reach of its neighbours.” The airline’s network is far reaching and its network of affiliated airlines in which it has taken a shareholding is growing. The airline operates 125 aircraft to 120 destinations. Top Ten To be named in the Top Ten, airlines must achieve a seven-star safety rating and demonstrate leadership in innovation for passenger comfort. AirlineRatings.com developed its unique seven-star ratings system after two years of evaluation and consultation with the industry’s governing body the International Civil Aviation Organization. For the yearly ranking the editors of AirlineRatings.com, some of the most experienced and awarded, combine four major international industry and government audits, with another nine key criteria that include: fleet age, passenger review ratings, profitability, investment rating and key product offerings to arrive at a ranking. “We are looking for leadership, airlines that innovate to make a real difference to the passenger experience particularly in economy class,” said Mr Thomas. For the third year running Etihad Airways has been named in the Top Ten as it continues its leading role in global aviation with the world’s best First Class while launching new aircraft such as the 777X. It is continuing with its aggressive fleet roll out with 10 787s in service and 65 on order. The airline also has 65 A350s on order.