First US carrier to win the prestigious award since its inception

OAG (Official Airline Guides), the world's leading source of independent flight schedule information, announced that Continental Airlines was named 2004 Airline of the Year at a ceremony at The Park Lane Hotel in London.

Continental Airlines is the first US-based carrier to win the title since the awards were established 22 years ago. Continental also won the Best Executive/Business Class category and was voted Best Airline based in North America in the OAG awards.

The awards, based on votes polled by a worldwide audience of business travelers, attracted an array of senior figures from the aviation industry. British television personality, Clive Anderson, presented the awards.

This year, Best Marketing Campaign was introduced as a new category and was won by United Airlines for their "We Are United UK" campaign. LanChile won the award for Best Airline based in Central/South America & Caribbean for the second year running.

OAG also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Lord Marshal, Chairman of British Airways. Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG, praised Lord Marshall's great contribution to the airline industry over the last 20 years saying. "He has done a spectacular job, in difficult circumstances, for the airline industry," said Mr. Bell.

The Outstanding Service Award, presented to airline or airport staff who have acted above and beyond the call of duty, was awarded to bmi flight attendants Karen Cornelius, Sally Cast and Ellen Davies, whose quick thinking and cool heads saved a passenger who suffered a massive heart attack on board a flight from Chicago to Manchester.

Using BMI's special diagnostic equipment, the flight attendants linked via satellite to doctors in the casualty unit of an Arizona hospital and literally helped save passenger Stephen Clarke's life.

Eddie Bell, commented on the OAG Awards and said "Congratulations to Continental Airlines on winning the OAG Airline of the Year Awards. Continental has consistently improved the quality of its service and this fact has been duly recognized by its customers."

Bell continued, "We are especially delighted, this year, to present an OAG Lifetime Achievement Award to Lord Marshall from British Airlines. His long standing service and valuable contribution to the industry has been magnificent, guiding British Airlines through some turbulent times."

The Asia Pacific region fared very well, with Singapore Airlines taking home four awards including Best International First Class and Best Economy/Coach Class. Cathay Pacific Airways won Best Trans-Pacific Airline, and Australian based Virgin Blue won best Low Cost/No Frills Airline, beating incumbent title holder Southwest Airlines as well as EasyJet and Ryanair.

UK flag carrier, British Airways, took home two prestigious awards: Best Airline Based in Western Europe and Best Trans-Atlantic Airline.

CSA Czech Airlines won the Best Airline based in Central/Eastern Europe for the first time.

FMI: www.oag.com/about_oag/a_of_y