Etihad Airways Strengthens Reputation with 10 Awards from Five Prestigious Bodies in Recent Weeks

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has recently celebrated a significant achievement by securing 10 awards from five distinguished awarding bodies. This recognition includes the 2026 APEX Best Food & Beverage in the Middle East, Gold and Silver Stevie Awards for Innovation in customer service and experience, and the Aviation Achievement Award for Cargo Airline of the Year. Over the past year, the airline has amassed more than 30 awards, underscoring its commitment to excellence in the aviation industry.

Consistent Recognition at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards

On June 18, 2026, at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards held in Dubai, Etihad Airways was honored for the sixth consecutive year with the titles of Airline with the Best Economy Class and Airline with the Best Cabin Crew. These awards are determined solely by reader votes, reflecting the genuine experiences of frequent flyers. The airline’s consistent performance in these categories highlights a dedication to quality service that is cultivated over time, rather than through isolated marketing efforts.

The airline’s cabin crew exemplifies a hospitality ethos deeply rooted in Emirati tradition, characterized by warmth, generosity, and a sincere commitment to guest care. This dedication is evident on every flight, contributing to the airline’s sustained popularity among travelers.

Culinary Excellence and Cargo Achievements

Etihad’s inflight dining experience has also garnered accolades this season. The airline was recognized as the Best Food & Beverage in the Middle East at the APEX Best Awards. Additionally, its Champagne and Red Wine selections served in the First cabin received Silver awards at the Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards.

In the cargo sector, Etihad Cargo was awarded Cargo Airline of the Year and Air Cargo Pharma Service of the Year at the Aviation Achievement Awards. The MENA Stevie Awards further acknowledged the airline’s innovation initiatives, awarding Gold for its future-ready contact center and global chauffeur service, along with Silver for its AI-driven service transformation.

Independent Judging and Industry Validation

The significance of these awards lies in their independent evaluation by seasoned travel journalists, aviation experts, and the traveling public. Etihad’s recognition across five different awarding bodies in a single season—encompassing customer service, cabin crew, cargo, catering, and onboard luxury—demonstrates the airline’s progress and validation beyond its marketing efforts. Each accolade serves as an external benchmark against industry peers, indicating that Etihad’s standards withstand rigorous scrutiny.

Comprehensive Award Summary: June 2025 – June 2026

Etihad Airways’ impressive collection of awards over the past year includes:

• Business Traveller Middle East Awards
  • Airline with the Best Cabin Crew
  • Airline with the Best Economy Class
• APEX Best Awards
  • Best Food & Beverage in the Middle East
• Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards
  • Silver – Best Champagne in First Class
  • Silver – Best Red Wine in First Class
• Aviation Achievement Awards
  • Cargo Airline of the Year
  • Air Cargo Pharma Service of the Year
• MENA Stevie Awards
  • Gold – Innovation in Customer Service Management Planning & Practice
  • Gold – Innovation in Transportation & Logistics
  • Silver – Innovative Use of Technology in Customer Service
• Airline Ratings Safety Awards
  • World’s Safest Full-Service Airline for 2026
  • Seven Star PLUS Safety Rated Airline
• World Travel Awards
  • World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience 2025
  • World’s Leading Airline Economy Class 2025
  • World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class 2025
• Additional Recognitions
  • 2nd Place – Top Airline Rankings 2025 AirHelp Score
  • Customer Experience Initiative of the Year 2025 – Aviation Business Middle East Awards
  • Design Airline of the Year Middle East 2025 – The Design Air
  • Middle East’s Leading Airline Awards in various categories
  • 4th Place – Condé Nast Traveller Best Airlines in the World
  • Airline Economics’ Aviation 100 MAE Airline of the Year 2025
  • Five Star Global Airline – APEX 2026
  • Best in Seat Comfort Award in the Middle East 2025 – APEX Future Travel Experience EMEA
  • Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East – Skytrax

About Etihad Airways

Founded in 2003, Etihad Airways has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s leading airlines. Operating from its hub in Abu Dhabi, the airline serves passenger and cargo destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Through its codeshare partnerships, Etihad offers access to hundreds of international destinations. The airline has received numerous accolades for its exceptional service, product offerings, and loyalty programs.

For further details, contact:
Duty Media Officer
Etihad Airways
Email: dutymediaofficer@etihad.ae

Source: www.zawya.com

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Published on 2026-06-20 20:00:00 • By the Editorial Desk