Dubai, UAE- 25th June, 2008 - British Airways, the UK's flagship carrier which operates 49 weekly flights from the GCC to London Heathrow, has been awarded "Best Business Class" and "Best Transatlantic Airline" in the 26th OAG airline industry awards.

The airline retained its crown as "Best Transatlantic Airline" and also won the "Best Business/ Executive Class" category - an award that had been won for the last five years by Continental Airlines.

Paul Starrs, British Airways Commercial Manager, Middle East, said "We are delighted to have retained our 'Transatlantic Airline' title and taken 'Best Business Class'. This is a great credit to our new Club World cabin which we launched in November 2006."

Representing a multi-million pound investment for the airline, the new Club World cabin allows customers to define their own space and what they want to do with it, combining elements from the home and business to create a sleek, yet comfortable environment.

The new cabin includes a wider, more comfortable seat with new 'z' bed position; greater privacy; storage which can hold a range of items, including a laptop, handbag and shoes; Club Kitchen, where customers help themselves to a wide range of snacks, sweet items and drinks between meal services, and audio and video on demand.

Club World has won numerous international design and aviation industry awards since it was first introduced. The new Club World took to the skies on the first Boeing 777 on May 30, 2008, flying from London Heathrow via Abu Dhabi to Muscat. Following statutory confirmation trials, it is expected that the Club World cabin will then be fitted to the other 41 B777s in the airline's fleet from September.
The full installation programme is scheduled to last 14 months.

-Ends-

About British Airways
Club World market 
With 5,000 beds to 72 destinations, British Airways has more beds flying to more destinations than any other airline.

  • British Airways has experienced growth in the number of leisure travellers in Club World.

  • The airline expects the market for business and leisure travel to continue to grow.

  • British Airways is currently engaged in rolling out the Club World cabin as rapidly as possible across its extensive network. The Boeing 777 fleets will be thus equipped during 2008, while the B747 fleet is fully embodied with the new Club World.

For further information, please contact:
Euan Megson
David Fairservice
MCS/Action,
PO Box 20970,
Dubai
United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +9714 390 296
Fax: +9714 390 8161          
email: euan.m@actionprgroup.com 
email: david.f@actionprgroup.com

© Press Release 2008