British Airways was the big winner at the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards that were held in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal at a gala dinner on Tuesday 17 April at The Landmark in London.

Her Royal Highness presented the coveted Spirit of Flight trophy for Airline of the Year to British Airways CEO, Willie Walsh. British Airways also picked up awards as Best Transatlantic Airline, Best Europe-Asia/Australasia Airline, and best airline based in Western Europe, and was shortlisted in three other categories.

British Airways last won the OAG Airline of the Year Award back in 1988 and now ties with Singapore and Virgin Atlantic in having won the title on five separate occasions since the inception of the awards in 1982.

“British Airways performed solidly in just about every category it was eligible for,” says Alan Glass, CEO of OAG. “The people that matter, the world’s frequent fliers, made it very clear in the way they voted that they like what BA is offering them. British Airways is a very worthy recipient of this year’s OAG Airline of the Year Award.”

Other multiple winners on the night were Continental Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Continental Airlines retained the “Best Business Class” title for a fifth successive year as well as being voted best airline in North America for a fourth consecutive year – just pipping American Airlines who were commended. Singapore Airlines retained “Best International First Class” and was voted the best airline in Asia. Last year’s Airline of the Year, Cathay Pacific, retained its crown as “Best Transpacific Airline”.

Reflecting the global reach of the OAG awards, regional winners on the night for best airline included Singapore Airlines (Asia), Qantas (Australasia / Pacific), Continental Airlines (North America), Aeromexico (Central/South America and the Caribbean), Emirates (Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent), South African Airways (Africa), British Airways (Western Europe), and CSA Czech Airlines (Central/Eastern Europe). All the regional winners were eligible for “Airline of the Year.”

Seoul Incheon International fought off extremely stiff competition to win the “Best Airport” crown. It just edged out last year’s winner Singapore Changi which was commended, and also beat Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK and San Francisco International. Korea was a double winner with Korean Air, shortlisted for the first time this year, winning “Best Economy Class”.

JetBlue won Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline for the second time, beating AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Blue.

“OAG’s worldwide customer and subscriber base have spoken and voted in record numbers this year,” adds Duncan Alexander, managing director at OAG. “A total of 42 different airlines received nominations this year in 15 regional and global categories. As in previous years the results have thrown up some interesting surprises as well as some perennial favourites. On behalf of OAG and its customers, we congratulate all the winners and nominees for representing the very best in global air travel.”

Lifetime Achievement Award

EasyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, was presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award by HRH The Princess Royal. His Lifetime Achievement Award recognised the impact that easyJet and the easyGroup had made on the European aviation and travel scene. Alan Glass praised Stelios for his remarkable entrepreneurial achievements in a comparatively short ‘lifetime’.

Outstanding Service Award

The recipient of the Outstanding Service Award was Maria Sabbah, BMED sales manager in Lebanon. The award recognised her dedication and inspiring leadership during the aftermath of the air attacks on Beirut and its international airport. Maria, who received her award from BMED CEO, David Richardson, helped hundreds of stranded passengers from all airlines to find their way home safely from Lebanon.

During the award ceremony, which was hosted by sports broadcaster Steve Rider, the CEO of Visit London, James Bidwell, took the stage to welcome the gathered airline and travel industry executives to London. He told them that air travel was vital to the city and the UK’s continued prosperity, as well as its position as an international economic hub. He recognised, however, the need to balance the economic importance of tourism with measures to improve the sustainability of the city and looked forward to working with the airlines.

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 was the Official Sponsor of the event, and Boeing was the champagne reception sponsor.


The complete list of winners and nominees for the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards is as follows:

OAG Airline of the Year 2007: British Airways

Aeromexico, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Emirates, Qantas,

South African Airways, Singapore Airlines


Best Airline Based in Asia: Singapore Airlines

Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways


Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas

Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Virgin Blue


Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines

Air Canada, American Airlines (Commended), 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 Western Europe: British Airways

Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic


Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines

Aeroflot Russian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, MALEV Hungarian Airlines


Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates

El Al, Etihad, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways (Commended)


Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways

Air Mauritius, Egyptair, Kenya Airways


Best Transatlantic Airline: British Airways

American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic


Best Transpacific Airline: Cathay Pacific

Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Qantas, United Airlines


Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: British Airways
Air France, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas


Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline: JetBlue

AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue


Best Economy/Coach Class: Korean Air

American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines


Best Business/Executive Class: Continental Airlines

American Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic (Commended)


Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air,


Best Airport: Seoul Incheon International

Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, Singapore Changi (Commended)