Last night at CAPA’s annual Global Aviation Awards for Excellence, held in Malta, British Airways was named Airline of the Year for 2019. The CAPA (Centre for Aviation) is a trusted name in market intelligence for the aviation and travel industry.
British Airways is brimming with gold during their centenary year as they announce receiving the CAPA Centre for Aviation’s prestigious 2019 Airline of the Year Award. CAPA’s annual Global Aviation Awards for Excellence ceremony was held at a gala ceremony in Malta on Thursday night. The prize was awarded to British Airways in recognition of its commitment to innovation, fleet renewal, cabin updates and new and redesigned airport lounges. Additionally, the carrier was lauded for other investments in passenger experience such as new dining across all cabins, new bedding and amenity kits, industry-leading WiFi and access to power at every seat. In last night’s ceremony, CAPA’s Chairman Emeritus, Peter Harbison said,
“British Airways was famously the world’s favourite airline in the 1990s and it has taken some tough decisions to maintain its market position against increasing competition. Under the leadership of CEO and Chairman Alex Cruz, British Airways has not been afraid to adopt new ticketing practices, service levels and is now among the frontrunners of distribution change and technology adoption – at the same time as achieving an industry leading ROIC. It is certainly “100 not out” for one of the world’s most famous airline brands.”
Upon receipt the award, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, Alex Cruz said,
“On behalf of everyone at British Airways, we are truly honoured to accept this award. In this, our centenary year, we have much to celebrate from our past and much to look forward to for the future. We pioneered the first commercial passenger flight as Air Transport and Travel Limited starting with just one route to Paris. Since then, we have led from the front, introducing innovative products such as the first lie-flat Business Class seat, operating the first jet-engine aircraft across the Atlantic, and flying customers at twice the speed of sound on Concorde.”
Over the next five years British Airways is investing £6.5B in the customer experience. The Airline will take delivery of 73 new aircraft including cutting-edge Airbus A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. British Airways recently introduced the “Club Suite” Business Class seat which offers direct aisle access on their A350 and will roll the product out across the long-haul fleet in the coming years. British Airways is a member of the International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) along with sister airlines Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling, Level and Air Europa.
Source: British Airways