LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) has released the list of finalists for the Passenger Choice Awards, and winners will be announced at the APEX Awards Ceremony at the APEX 2012 EXPO, 17-20 September, in Long Beach, Calif., USA.
With 14 separate categories, the Passenger Choice Awards are designed to let passengers directly recognize airlines for outstanding services, products and innovations. Winners are determined through an online survey available to any member of the traveling public.
The APEX 2012 EXPO offers attendees a unique opportunity to network, learn about industry innovations and recognize colleagues for outstanding achievements. In addition to the Passenger Choice Awards, the APEX Awards Ceremony will honor Leigh Mantle, Chief Operating Officer at Inflight Productions with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Avion Awards will be given to airlines and vendors for technological advancements and commitment to the passenger experience.
Passenger Choice Award Finalists are listed alphabetically:
Best Overall Passenger Experience (UP TO 50 IFE EQUIPPED IN FLEET)
AIR NEW ZEALAND
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES
TACA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best Overall Passenger Experience (Over 50 IFE EQUIPPED IN FLEET)
AVIANCA
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
EMIRATES
GARUDA INDONESIA
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Best in Region: Africa
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS
Best in Region: Americas
AVIANCA
JETBLUE
LAN AIRLINES
TACA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA
Best in Region: Asia and Australasia
AIR NEW ZEALAND
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES
Best in Region: Europe
BRITISH AIRWAYS
NORWEGIAN
SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
TURKISH AIRLINES
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best in Region: Middle East
EMIRATES
ETIHAD AIRWAYS
GULF AIR
OMAN AIR
QATAR AIRWAYS
Best Inflight Publication
AIR ASTANA
AVIANCA
GARUDA INDONESIA
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
V AUSTRALIA/VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
VIRGIN AMERICA
Best IFE User Interface:
AVIANCA
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
EMIRATES
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best Inflight Connectivity & Communications
EMIRATES
GULF AIR
NORWEGIAN
OMAN AIR
VIRGIN AMERICA
Best Inflight Video
AIR NEW ZEALAND
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES
TURKISH AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA
Best Cabin Ambiance
AIR NEW ZEALAND
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best Food & Beverage (in conjunction with the International Flight Services Association)
EMIRATES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
SRILANKAN AIRLINES LTD.
TURKISH AIRLINES
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best Ground Experience
AIR NEW ZEALAND
JET AIRWAYS
KINGFISHER AIRLINES
VIRGIN AMERICA
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
The Avion Awards Finalists are listed alphabetically:
AVION AWARDS: Best in Passenger Experience
American Airlines: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for Inflight Entertainment
Brussels Airlines: New Long Haul Cabin
JetBlue Airways: Entertainment Guide
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: IFE App
Lufthansa Systems: BoardConnect
The IMS Company: EDGE
Virgin America: Virgin Produced
AVION AWARDS: Best Achievement in Technology
Delta Air Lines: Demystifying the Checked Baggage Experience
Panasonic Avionics Corporation: eXTV
Row 44: “Live TV inflight to passengers’ devices”
“We’re happy to announce the finalists for this year’s program and even more excited to reveal the winners at the APEX EXPO next month,” said Dominic Green, senior director of client services for Spafax and chair of the APEX Awards Committee. “The Passenger Choice Awards program really validates the hard work, innovation and level of service each airline brings to the table to elevate the passenger experience.”
While voting for the 2012 Passenger Choice Awards campaign ended on 30 June, the 2013 awards cycle kicked off on 1 July. To take the survey, visit www.passengerchoiceawards.com.