Bangkok--31 Jan--Total Quality PR Etihad Airways, The National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, which operates highly popular twice daily flights from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi and onwards to 45 destinations around the globe, has won the prestigious title of “best business class airline” at the Irish Travel Trade News Awards. The ceremony, which took place at Dublin’s Croke Park Convention Centre, saw the Abu Dhabi-based carrier presented with the top award after just seven months of flying to the Irish capital. The success follows the recent announcement that from 30 March Etihad will increase its flying programme to Ireland with daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Dublin. Etihad will be the only airline operating flights from Dublin to the Middle East and beyond. Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president sales and services, said: “Since launching flights to Dublin, Etihad has enjoyed great success in this market and we are very proud that the Irish travel trade has recognised the impact the airline has made in Ireland in such a short period of time.” The awards, which are voted for by members of the Irish travel trade, saw Etihad also receive the runner-up award in the “best airline to Asia and Australasia” category. Etihad Airways continues to win industry-praise for its premium cabin services. In December 2007 the airline was voted “airline with best first class service in the world” by the readers of the monthly consumer magazine, Business Traveller U.S.A. This award followed double honours for Etihad at the 2007 annual World Travel Awards when the airline picked up accolades for “world’s leading flatbed seat” and “world’s leading travel television commercial”.