Paris Air Show: Etihad Airways wins three gongs at Skytrax World Airline Awards'

The Abu Dhabi-based airline won best first class for the fourth consecutive year, as well as taking home top honours for best first class seats and best first class catering.

The awards, which are voted on by travellers from more than 160 countries, were presented today at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony held at the Paris Air Show.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honours in every first class category again, underlining our leading premium products.

“Etihad Airways has, in just 10 years of operation, risen rapidly in the Skytrax rankings because we invest continually in innovative new product and service concepts. We believe that world-class hospitality should not be limited to hotels and restaurants, so we aim to elevate the travel experience by bringing the best of hospitality to every part in the journey.

“The Skytrax World Airline Awards represent a global benchmark for airline excellence because they go straight to the source – the traveller. To be recognised and named by them as the best in the world is an affirmation of the value of our philosophy and innovation.”

Etihad Airways continues to win global recognition for offering a five-star restaurant style of service in its Diamond first class cabins with personal inflight chefs.

They are complemented by food and beverage managers in the airlines Pearl business class cabin. Etihad Airways’ first class chefs and food and beverage managers are recruited from top rated hotels and restaurants around the world.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said: “It has been another fantastic year of achievement for Etihad Airways at the 2013 World Airline Awards, and in scooping all of the first class award categories, Etihad Airways has demonstrated that it is a true world leader in this premium cabin. These awards represent passenger votes from across the world, and they have chosen Etihad Airways as the world's best airline for first class travel.”