Onboard Hospitality Awards Recognize PaxEx Innovators
Share
Until around 2011, the Mercury Award was the greatest accolade a supplier in airline catering or onboard comfort could receive. Hardware was given out annually during a lavish gala dinner, which took place in conjunction with the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) trade show in Europe each spring. However, after AIX organizer Reed Expos purchased the ITCA trade show in 2011, the ITCA membership dwindled steadily before the Association – and thus the Mercury Awards – died.
This year however, OnBoard Hospitality (formerly the official magazine of ITCA) decided to fill the void left by the demise of Mercury by opening up their own competition to suss out the most extraordinary innovations in onboard catering, amenities, service ware and comfort. Last night, in a casual yet well-attended ceremony at the Radisson Blu Hotel, winners from around the industry were announced for 12 separate categories.
According to Jo Austin, editor of OnBoard Hospitality, the awards were set up to make sure that companies big and small that are working to better all aspects of onboard service get the recognition they deserve.
“That’s what OnBoard Hospitality is all about,” she told APEX. “A lot of the companies here tonight are couples or families who work hard to get an airline. So we know that winning an award tonight will make a difference for them. There has been a bit of a vacuum [since the Mercury’s] so we have, in fairness, been considering doing an award for a couple of years. But it was the suppliers who really pushed us to do this. It has come from the industry not from us, to do these awards tonight.”
The big winner of the day was Qantas, taking home silver platter trophies for its Oroton Business Sleep Collection in the Amenities First/Business) category, its new International Economy Dining Experience in the Innovation Premium Economy/Economy/LCC category and its Pulled Beef Sliders in the Snack and Drinks Premium Economy/Economy/LCC group.
“We are thrilled to win these three awards amongst a very high calibre of entries and judged by experts in the industry. We have spent many months researching the market, reviewing industry trends and working closely with our suppliers, producers and in the case of Oroton, very talented designers to develop these inflight products and services,” said Kylie Morris, head of Design and Customer Development, Qantas International.
“Feedback on the New Economy dining experience, including the popular Pulled beef Sliders, and the stylish and functional Oroton amenity kit has been overwhelmingly positive,” she continued. “We are passionate and committed to continue to design and share innovative new products and services to the millions of international travellers who fly with Qantas each year.”
Initial voting for the Onboard Hospitality Awards was carried out by readers of the magazine and final judgements were made by a panel of distinguished experts from the industry.
Amenities (PREMIUM ECONOMY, ECONOMY AND LCC)
Lufthansa Children’s Bag by Spiriant
New Etihad Airways Economy Class Amenity Kit by Etihad
Qatar Airways Amenity Kit
Amenities (FIRST/BUSINESS CLASS)
BMW’s First Class Flight Service by SkySupply
Singapore Airlines First Class Amenity Kits by Harmony
Qantas Oroton Business Sleep Collection by Qantas – WINNER
Food Service Equipment (HARDWARE)
Flightweight SmartCart by WRASP – WINNER
Hybrite S by Zodiac Aircatering Equipment
Stackable Drawer/Flex-e-Bag by Onboard Logistics
Food Service Equipment (TABLEWARE)
Cathay Pacific’s Innovative Disposable Glass by deSter – WINNER
New KLM Economy Class Service by KLM
Tableware for Lufthansa by SPIRIANT
Innovation (PREMIUM ECONOMY, ECONOMY AND LCC)
Easysnap pouch for liquids by Easysnap
MONIN Syrup Sticks by supplair
Qantas New International Economy dining experience by Qantas – WINNER
Innovation (FIRST/BUSINESS CLASS)
Emergency Services: Ambient Meal Tray by En Route
Swiss Summer Collection by Harmony
Swiss Winter Collection by Formia – WINNER
Packaging Food and Beverage
Fresh Sandwich Drawer by D/F Marketing
Great British Fish & Chips for British Airways by DHL – WINNER
Inflight Drinks by Inflight Drinks
Lufthansa Metropolitan Box by SPIRIANT
Snacks/Drinks (PREMIUM ECONOMY, ECONOMY AND LCC)
Beckleberry’s Fresh Cream Ice-Cream on American Airlines by Supplair
FlyFit mini Tetra Pak drink in 125 ml by Vitalit Laboratories
Pulled Beef Sliders by Qantas – WINNER
Snacks/Drinks (FIRST/BUSINESS CLASS)
Bella Bruschetta by En Route
Living Juice: Cold-pressed, extended life, fresh fruit juice by living juice drinks – WINNER
Southern Olive Oil
Sustainability
GreenEye-Technology by MEIKO
Sustainable ecoTHREAD„¢ blanket by Buzz
Vivace Caviar – WINNER
Textiles
American Airlines Sleepsuit and Slippers by Wessco
Emirates Overnight Kit by Buzz
Qatar Airways Sleepwear by Qatar – WINNER
Wellbeing
b4 Hand Sanitiser by b4products/Midway
Hydra Active Moisturising Pyjama by Hydra Active – WINNER
Icelandair Zero pressure eyeshade by Harmony
AIX conference photography: Maxim Sergienko / Raum 11