Etihad Airways has been voted “airline with best first class service in the world” by the readers of the monthly consumer magazine, Business Traveller USA.

The magazine’s “best in business travel awards” are based upon a comprehensive survey of readers and their views of airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car rental firms, destinations and other travel service providers.

“This award from our customers in the US illustrates the impact Etihad is having in the fiercely competitive North American market and across the world,” said Etihad Airways’ executive vice-president Peter Baumgartner.

“In addition to the first class service and comfort in the air, Etihad’s premium customers also receive a limousine chauffeur service to and from Abu Dhabi and New York’s JFK airports which has been hugely popular in the UAE and the US,” he added.

The award follows Etihad’s success at the World Travel Awards earlier in 2007 when it received the awards for being “the Middle East’s leading airline” and “the Middle East’s leading first class airline."

“We are delighted to be building upon our success at the World Travel Awards and it caps a tremendous year for Etihad Airways. However we will not be resting on our laurels and our customers can look forward to new in-flight innovations and services in 2008,” added Baumgartner. TradeArabia News Service