SriLankan vying for four prestigious titles at APEX Passenger Choice Awards 2015

National carrier, SriLankan Airlines has been shortlisted for four categories at APEX Passenger Choice Awards 2015, established by the Airline Passenger Experience Association, to be held at the APEX EXPO in Portland, Oregon USA on Monday 28 September.

Accordingly, the airline will be vying for four prestigious titles; ‘Best in Region:  Asia and Australasia’, ‘Best Inflight Publication’, ‘Best Inflight Video’ and ‘Best Ground Experience’.

SriLankan has won the ‘Best in Region: Asia and Australasia’ in 2012 and this is the first time the airline has been nominated for four categories. 

The airlines have been shortlisted subsequent to a passenger experience survey conducted across the world in 13 languages from 1 May to 30 June. The survey is encompassed to capture the total passenger experience, from purchasing the ticket to collecting the baggage at the destination. The next phase of voting will be exclusive to Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) members who will select the winners based on the finalists nominated by passengers through the online survey.

SriLankan Airlines, with a strong presence in the region, has been carrying out direct operations across key cities in the Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and the Far East, whilst providing hassle-free onward connections from its Colombo hub. The Airline embarked upon a wide body fleet renewal programme last year, with plans to induct all new A330-300s and the new generation A350-900s to strengthen its long and medium haul operations.

SriLankan Airlines became the launch customer for the latest generation Thales’s Avant entertainment system for the Airbus A330. The airline’s business and economy class cabins offer passengers the best cabin services including large interactive displays, in-seat power and USB connection for charging mobile devices or viewing their holiday photographs and for business class, the award winning Touch Passenger Media Unit for a second screen experience.

The new aircraft are also equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, to browse the web using a smart device or simply text or call to stay in touch while flying, Audio and Video on Demand in over a dozen languages at every seat with programming suited for any route, with a selection of over 100 movies, over 50 TV programs, a variety of audio channels and games for all ages. Passengers who fly the Airline’s A330-300’s will also have the luxury of staying tuned to live news and sports updates on BBC, AFP and AccuWheather at each seat.

The airline’s in-flight magazine ‘Serendib’, which won it the second nomination, was initiated in 1981 and has become a collector’s item as well as a vital source of reading matter and destination-specific information among passengers. Featuring Sri Lanka’s off-the-beaten-track getaways along with main tourist attractions, Serendib inspires passengers to venture out to discover the hidden beauties of the island.

The airline’s in-flight video, an animation clip on on-board safety, portrays quintessential Sri Lankan characters such as the village headman, a lady in a traditional Sri Lankan costume and a drummer, similar to those iconic Sri Lankan performing artists who take part in the Kandy Esala Perahera. The safety video that won the airline the third nomination raises awareness while presenting the passengers a slice of Sri Lankan culture.

SriLankan has also been nominated for ‘Best Ground Experience’, bearing testimony to the dedication and diligence of its friendly staff on ground, whose care and support have been much commended.

With its great focus on safety, comfort and care, the airline will continue to enhance its product and services to suit the needs of the modern-day traveller.