The prestigious award is voted for by the readers of TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTGmice, TTGassociations, TTG-BTmice China and TTG Asia Luxury.
Etihad Airways’ Vice President Australia and Asia, Lindsay White, accepted the award on the airline’s behalf at the 27 th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2016 Ceremony and Gala Dinner held in Bangkok.
Mr White said the award reflects the strength of the airline’s partnerships with the travel trade and validated Etihad Airways’ investment in its Business Class guest experience.
Etihad Airways’ Vice President for Australia and Asia Lindsay White (center) accept the TTG Asia ‘Best Airline – Business Class’ award from Her Excellency Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports Thailand (left) and Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media at the 27th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2016 Ceremony and Gala Dinner in Bangkok.
“Being voted ‘Best Airline – Business Class’ for the second consecutive year is testament to the tremendous support we receive from the travel industry throughout Asia Pacific.
“Our partners are critical to our success and we are delighted to offer a world-class product and hospitality experience which they are proud to sell.
“We have invested significantly in our Business Class product and service to offer our guests unprecedented levels of comfort, style and hospitality every day, on every flight.
“The ground-breaking Business Studios on our fleet of A380s and B787 Dreamliners, in particular, have redefined premium air travel, setting a new benchmark for business class travel worldwide.”
Etihad Airways’ Business Class guests enjoy fully flat beds with direct aisle access on every wide-body aircraft. Dedicated Food and Beverage Managers, handpicked from some of the world’s best establishments, oversee an extensive a la carte and ‘Dine Anytime’ menu. On ultra-long- haul flights, the airline offers a full turndown service, amenity kits, cotton loungewear and slippers.
On the ground, guests have access to luxurious airport lounges and limousine services at selected locations worldwide. The Premium Lounge at the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi features a Six Senses Spa and Style & Shave by Etihad facility, both offering a comprehensive range of personal care and wellbeing treatments.
The TTG Travel Awards have been recognising the best of the Asia Pacific’s travel industry since 1989. This prestigious annual event honours organisations and individuals in four categories – Travel Supplier, Travel Agency, Outstanding Achievement and Travel Hall of Fame.
The ‘Best Airline – Business Class’ award is determined against several performance criteria: providing the best product and service, schedules and network; agent friendliness in terms of reservations, confirmations and commission; and the professionalism of the airline’s sales and marketing team.
Etihad Airways offers the Asia Pacific travel trade a range of educational, sales support and reward and recognition programmes. These include a dedicated travel trade portal, a rewards-based incentive programme called ‘SuperSeller’, travel agent familiarisation trips and other localised trade marketing programmes.