V Australia bags three passenger experience awards

[Greg McDonald]

Congrats to V Aus:

QANTAS didn't get a mention, but V Australia has picked up three awards at this year's Passenger Choice Awards.

The Airline Passenger Experience Association offers the travelling public the chance to vote on which airline has the best product, service and innovations.

V Australia was voted best airline in the Asia and Australasia region, while also picking up Best Food and Beverage; and Best In-Flight Entertainment User Interface.

Taking out the top gong for Best Overall Passenger Experience were Emirates and Virgin America.

“V Australia would like to thank our guests who took the time to vote for us. Clearly, we are providing the best level of product and services for them," Virgin Australia Group Executive, Martin Daley, said.

“From our Luke Mangan designed in-flight meals to the award-winning seat-back entertainment system, which offers a wealth of entertainment options and a vibrant easy-to-use touch-screen, we have a great winning combination,” he says.

All in all it was a pretty good day for the Virgin brand, which claimed more than half of the awards on offer.

Qantas, meanwhile, has been left high and dry, failing to claim a single award this year or last.

The now-annual Passenger Choice Awards were launched last year and decide on the best airline in 14 different categories, based solely on the independent votes of travellers.

Here's a full list of the 2011 winners:

Best Overall Passenger Experience - Emirates
Best Overall Passenger Experience - Virgin America
Best in Region: Africa - South African Airways
Best in Region: Americas - Virgin America
Best in Region: Asia and Australasia - V Australia
Best in Region: Europe - Virgin Atlantic
Best in Region: Middle East - Emirates
Best Inflight Publication - Avianca
Best IFE User Interface - V Australia
Best Inflight Connectivity & Communications - Oman Air
Best Inflight Video - Virgin America
Best Cabin Ambiance - JetBlue
Best Food & Beverage in conjunction with IFSA - V Australia
Best Ground Experience - Virgin America