Dubai-based carrier Emirates was named Best Airline Worldwide at the 2017 Business Traveller Awards in a sweep of four accolades yesterday (April 24) in Dubai, UAE.

At a ceremony attended by key travel industry executives, Emirates was also named “Airline with the Best First Class”, “Airline with the Best First Class Lounge” and “Best Frequent Flyer Programme”.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ executive vice president and chief operations officer, said: “Our customers are at the heart of our brand. In every step of the customer’s journey, we thoroughly and regularly examine the product to achieve a high level of customer care.”

“Providing a truly memorable experience is about continually innovating across our product and offering a personal touch and a warm welcome. Moreover, our Skywards accolade solidifies the programme’s standing as an industry-leading loyalty programme that offers Emirates customers value through exceptional privileges and benefits. We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts by Business Traveller Middle East’s readers,” he added.

Emirates invests continually in product developments and service enhancements. In the past year, the airline’s on-board enhancements include: newly designed Business Class seats, re-designed amenity kits for First and Business Class passengers, environmentally sustainable blankets and interactive augmented reality amenity kits for Economy Class passengers, and regular updates of its range of onboard toys for young flyers. The airline also continues to lead on the in-flight entertainment front with a broad choice of over 2,600 channels on its ice system.

On the ground, Emirates completed an $11 million makeover of its Business Class Lounge at Concourse B in Dubai International Airport, and expanded its global network of dedicated lounges with the opening of its newest Emirates Lounge in Cape Town International Airport.

Emirates Skywards, the airline’s loyalty programme, last year launched Cash+Miles, enabling members to redeem flights using a combination of cash and Skywards Miles, regardless of their membership tier. Emirates also introduced “pay-per-visit” lounge access, enabling Emirates Skywards members and their guests travelling on Emirates to enjoy the airline’s First and Business Class lounges at Dubai International Airport and abroad.

For corporate customers, Emirates launched a revamped Emirates Business Rewards programme to provide greater value, including easier Miles redemptions and upgrades even on last minute bookings.

Today, Emirates Skywards has 14 airline partners including strategic partnerships with Easyjet and Qantas, offering member access to one of the world’s largest networks of global travel destinations. The programme also has 24 hotel partner brands covering nearly 20,000 properties worldwide. – TradeArabia News Service