Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has crowned cabin crew member Joy Seesante with the award for Best Cabin Crew Smile 2012.

Launched in May 2012, the internal smile competition is part of an ongoing Etihad Airways Guest Services campaign called ‘Leading the world with a smile,’ which focuses on showcasing the carrier’s warmth, respect and hospitality through its cabin crew.

The 2012 campaign comprised a photography competition and more than 3,000 Etihad Airways cabin crew were invited to enter images of them wearing their best smiles in any of the carrier’s 86 global destinations.

Thousands of images from Etihad Airways cabin crew smiling in all parts of the world were submitted, with winners announced every month and finalists for the Best Cabin Crew Smile 2012 forwarded for final voting by fellow Etihad Airways cabin crew.

Cabin crew member Joy Seesante won the competition with 38 per cent of the total votes for her image titled ‘Leading with a Smile in Korea.’  Her prize included a three-night stay for two at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.

Joy is originally from the Philippines, she joined Etihad Airways in 2006 and today works onboard in the Diamond First class and Pearl Business class cabins.

Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad Airways vice president guest Services, said: “We are delighted with the rousing success of our campaign and absolutely proud of our cabin crew who continue to create remarkable journeys for our guests.

“This is evident in the growing number of guest compliments commending our cabin crew’s professionalism and hospitality.  A smile transmits an instant message to our guests that we truly care about them.”

The runners up in the competition were cabin crew Maria Gonzalez from Spain, and Maxim Sayapin from Russia.

The smile campaign continues in 2013 and plans are in place to extend it across the airline’s network, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service