Etihad Airways has taken top spot as the World’s Leading Airline for the eighth year running at the 23rd annual World Travel Awards (WTA).

The airline was also recognised for its First Class Cabin offerings, picking up the award for World’s Leading First Class.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said “our commitment to rewriting the rulebook and transforming air travel is being recognised and rewarded year after year. We are proud to once again be receiving these two prestigious awards for what we believe to be the world’s finest airline experience.”

This has been a momentous year for Etihad Airways, which has celebrated a series of coveted wins throughout 2016. These include the World Travel Awards Middle East accolades for Middle East’s Leading Airline – First Class and Middle East’s Leading Airport Lounge for its First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Aptly named ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’, the World Travel Awards come from hundreds of thousands of WTA voters, from the hospitality industry and the general public, who cast more than 1.2 million votes during the Grand Tour 2016.

For more information, visit the Etihad Airways website here.