AUSTRIAN AIRLINES TAKES TOP PLACES AT WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS 2008

More than 15 million air passengers from 95 countries around the world have taken part in an online survey to evaluate the world's best airlines for British consultancy Skytrax. Austrian Airlines took top places in a number of different categories of the World Airline Awards 2008.

For the second year running, Austrian Airlines took First Place in the Catering in Business Class Long-Haul global category. Our Third Place in Economy Catering Long-Haul proves that the culinary range on offer on board Austrian flights is also setting global benchmarks in Economy Class. This makes Austrian Airlines the only European airline to feature in the Top 5 worldwide. In the Cabin Staff in Europe category, Austrian Airlines took a sensational First Place, underlining the success of the company's "we care" philosophy.

Chief Executive Officer Alfred Ötsch said the following about the top placings: "Once again we have successfully used our consistent quality and service offensive to reconfirm our leading status by comparison with other international airlines. On board our flights, we inspire our customers. Together with all my colleagues, I want to welcome this outstanding performance, which emphatically shows that we are on the right course. Our cabin staff, DO & CO Catering, the inflight chefs who refine our gourmet menus on long-haul flights, and the Viennese coffee house service all serve to make us unmistakeable and unique by comparison with international competitor airlines."

"In the year in which Austrian celebrates its 50th anniversary, moreover, the company succeeded in winning another award when it won the award for Best Business Class Onboard Catering - for the second year running," explained Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted. "Austrian has developed a strong reputation amongst customers for having extremely high standards in long-haul Business Class catering, and the gourmet chefs of DO & CO have also impressed people."