Cathay Pacific Airways has been awarded the prize for Best Airline Web Site 2001 in a worldwide survey of frequent flyers by OAG, a major provider of independent business travel information. The voters for the survey came from a global audience of business travellers who subscribe to OAG print and electronic travel information products. Established in 1982 as a barometer of the views of business travellers, the OAG awards have since become coveted industry honours.

Dominic Purvis, Manager of the Cathay Pacific Website, said: “This is great news, and a tribute to the immense effort that the team has put in so far. It is particularly pleasing given the identity of the other finalists. We recognise the competition is always going to be tough, but we have an ambitious upgrade program and fully intend to earn our reputation as Asia`s leading e-Business airline.”

Announcing the awards the host, British television presenter Steve Rider, observed: “Innovation is abounding as airlines exploit the potential of the Internet to find new ways to foster customer loyalty, through one-to-one marketing and tracking customer behaviour.”

Cathay Pacific`s Website was voted ahead of the other finalists British Airways, and three North American carriers—Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Paul Cruttenden, Marketing Manager for Cathay Pacific in the UK, accepted the award at London`s Park Lane Hotel.

Cathay Pacific is continuing to add new features to its Website. In the coming weeks a new upgraded booking engine will give Marco Polo and Asia Miles members the ability to book their redemption tickets online. A Korean-language booking engine will also follow. Another powerful travel tool, notiFLY Flight Paging, already allows mobile phone subscribers in Hong Kong and Taiwan to have the latest Cathay Pacific flight information sent directly to their phones. The text messages work on mobile phones even without WAP capability.

Earlier this year Cathay Pacific also announced the launch of the world`s first comprehensive Online Check-In service allowing passengers to check in for flights via the Internet before heading to the airport. The new service gives passengers the confidence of knowing they have a confirmed seat 48 hours in advance and also saves them valuable time before departure. The service will soon add interactive seat maps, which will allow passengers the ability to specify their exact seat.

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