Virgin America Takes Off With Highest Honors At Passenger Choice Awards

ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's travelers have named Virgin America as winner of the Best Overall Passenger Experience award for the 2013 Passenger Choice Awards. Virgin America and several other airlines received high honors at the Awards Ceremony, this year held 9 September at the Airline Passenger Experience Association's annual EXPO in Anaheim, Calif. USA.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/NY76930)

The awards program takes the flight experience directly to the passengers, who can rate their travel experience year-round by way of an online survey at www.passengerchoiceawards.com. Results are tabulated by consumer measurement and information leader, the Nielsen Company. Nielsen is recognized globally for providing market research, insights and data.

"This year's program has seen the most impressive turnout yet, and we have winners from every corner of the globe," said Dominic Green, APEX Events & EXPO chair and Senior Director, Content Business at Thales Avionics. "We congratulate the winners of the 2013 Passenger Choice Awards and remind passengers that this contest is open year-round. Fill out the survey every time you fly!"

The 13 categories of awards ranged from best entertainment options and inflight publication to best overall. In its fourth year, the Passenger Choice Awards are recognized as a leading way to measure industry excellence and to garner direct passenger feedback.

The winners of the 2013 Passenger Choice Awards are:
Best Overall Passenger Experience - VIRGIN AMERICA 
Best in Region: Africa - ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
Best in Region: Americas - VIRGIN AMERICA
Best in Region: Asia and Australasia - GARUDA INDONESIA
Best in Region: Europe - VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best in Region: Middle East  - EMIRATES
Best Inflight Publication - TACA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Best IFE User Interface – VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Best Inflight Connectivity & Communications - NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE
Best Inflight Video - TAP PORTUGAL
Best Cabin Ambiance - SWISS
Best Food & Beverage (in conjunction with the International Flight Services Association) - TURKISH AIRLINES
Best Ground Experience - VIRGIN AMERICA

Receiving the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Awards was Patrick Brannelly, Emirates. The 2013 Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Michael Childers, Lufthansa Systems.

APEX also recognized two member companies for innovation and contribution to the industry with the annual Avion Awards. These awards were judged by industry peers and members of the media.

Avion Award: Best Single Achievement in Passenger Experience
Delta Air Lines: The Sky Deck(SM)

Avion Award: Best Achievement in Technology
AKQA: Fly Delta App for iPad

And new to the APEX Awards Ceremony was the Newcomer of the Year Award, presented to a new association member company. The award was presented to SmartTray International.

The 2014 awards cycle is now open. The public is invited to vote at www.passengerchoiceawards.com year-round. Become a fan of the Passenger Choice Awards on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 

About the Passenger Choice Awards
The Passenger Choice Awards were created by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) to give voice to airline passengers. APEX encompasses a network of professionals that are committed to providing an outstanding airline experience for passengers around the globe. For an opportunity to weigh in, visit www.passengerchoiceawards.com to vote and be sure to visit the Passenger Choice Awards fan page on Facebook.

Contact:
Chris Peterson, Communications Specialist, APEX
[email protected]
+1-678-303-2968

SOURCE Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)