Two weeks ago we announced the winners of the Flightglobal Webbies - The Aviation Web Awards 2008.
In case you missed it I've included the winners and runners up below together with the judges' comments.
Running and judging the inaugural Webbies has been an interesting and rewarding experience.
There was a great variety of styles, content, design and innovation in the hundreds of website nominated, and it's encouraging to see that the aviation industry is getting serious about online.
Having worked in several other industries I can say that it's not always the case. Some industries simply do not get the potential of the web and how it can make their businesses (both for transactions and marketing) much more efficient and effective. And many fail to see that we're really just scraping the surface of how business methods can be transformed through the new opportunities the web offers.
However, I think two things are at the heart of our industry's adoption of online technologies: the global nature of this business means that any process which helps to bridge the distances between companies and people is something will be actively embraced; secondly, many people involved in aircraft and flying have an innate love of new technology and innovation, of which Web 2.0 technologies are an obvious candidate.
Either way, with so much energy going into our websites and online innovations, it's a great online environment to be working in.
Flightglobal has always been at the forefront of the aviation industry's online activity - from web first news, web-wide search, community space and premium content. We've even got our 100 year archive of magazine pages scanned in, fully searchable and free to access on the site. (www.flightglobal.com/archive)
So we felt we were in a position to help celebrate and acknowledge the very best and brightest aviation websites and online activities.
That's why we launched the Flightglobal Webbies -The Aviation Web Awards.
We were looking for established industry leaders and striving newcomers and everyone in between to enter the Flightglobal Webbies or nominate their favourites in the eight aviation-related categories.
Our expert judging panel then sifted through the hundreds of quality entries to find the top three in each category based on the judging criteria.
Categories
Best Airline Website
Who's this category for?
Commercial airlines - big or small
Criteria: The Best Airline website is awarded to the website that demonstrated a superior user experience, including an intuitive and clear user interface (design and navigation), reliability and security, and a depth of information (both flights and corporate).
Judge: Mark Pilling (Editor Airline Business)
Gold
Name: Southwest Airlines
URL: www.southwest.com
Features: Interface make booking, changing and cancelling flights simple. Also features numerous other capabilities. Includes Nuts About Southwest Blog.
Judges liked: It is just the best. Enjoyable user interface. Helpful for regular Southwest fliers. Conveys a good level of engagement with the brand and the carrier. The blog is cool too.
Silver
Name: GOL
URL: www.voegol.com.br
Features: New site design incorporating various innovations and improved design elements.
Judges liked: A dynamic site, engagement with the customer, investor relations section is great.
Bronze
Name: Qatar Airways
URL: www.qatarairways.com
Features: Standard transactional capability expected of a global network airline. Includes product tours of unique servicing points. Web 2.0 functionality, with downloadable travel search widgets and RSS feeds. Language and country-site combinations for different audiences.
Judges liked: M ost impressive of the short-listed network carrier sites this is the.
Best Airport Website
Who's this category for?
Airports obviously
Criteria: The Best Airport Website is awarded to the website that demonstrated a richness and depth of information for travellers and visitors, including facilities information, media resources and airline information.
Judges: Kieran Daly (Executive Editor - Flight), Cranky Flyer (Blogger, Crankyflier.com)
Gold
Name: Amsterdam Schiphol
URL: www.schiphol.nl
Features: Interactive interface for airport facilities including shopping, eating ,relaxation etc ... . Offers different AMS airport tours depending on your time available between connecting flights.
Judges liked: E asy-to-use site containing a wealth of well-organized useful information.
Multi language options make it friendly to the international traveller. Tour options are interesting and innovative - pick how much time you have and what your interests are and create a personalized tour of the airport to pass the time.
A huge amount of effort has obviously gone into making the whole airport experience a bit less unpleasant for travellers.
Silver
Name: San Francisco International Airport
URL: www.flysfo.com
Features: Utilizes a content-based navigational approach allowing users to easily locate relevant information. Pods provide promotional and advertising space throughout the site. Interactive maps help users locate airport amenities.
Judges liked: Recently updated. C lean design makes navigation very simple. User-centric design.
Bronze
Name: Athens International Airport
URL: www.aia.gr
Summary: P rovides information primarily to travellers and visitors, but also to business partners, the general public and the press. Minimalist branded design, a virtual/actual link with Athens city brand, and simple navigation to services and information.
Judges liked: C omprehensive site with useful information. Uses Flash intelligently to present complex messages . Important links to flight status and ground transport. Detailed airline information including direct links to booking and check-in sites. Prominent, well-developed section devoted to those doing business with the airport.
Best Aerospace Manufacturer Website
Who's this category for?
Airframers and Tier 1 systems manufacturers
Criteria: The Best Aerospace Manufacturer Website is awarded to the website that demonstrated effective navigation and design specifically throughout the presentation of product information and technical specifications.
Judges: Murdo Morrison (Editor - Flight International), Michael Targett (Editor Flightglobal)
Gold
Name: Sikorsky
URL: www.sikorsky.com
Features: Showcases all products via an interactive user interface. Product tours and multi media.
Judges liked: A great manufacturer product site which has gone that one step further. Lots of visual gee-whizzery and interactivity staying just on the side of fun and informative rather than gimmicky. Superb home page. Lots of information and options displayed through an effective design. Interactive product tours are good, as is the use of video and audio.
Silver
Name: newairplane.com
URL: www.newairplane.com
Features: A "best-in-class" site designed to promote Boeing Commercial Aircraft. Showcases the product line and provides a forum for users to experience key differentiators of the aircraft. Interface includes interactivity and rich media technology. Highlights Boeing's environmental innovation and key initiatives towards sustainability.
Judges liked: A terrific "web 2.0" innovation using a catchy URL and every visual trick in the book to lure aircraft enthusiasts into the Boeing brand. Lots of great, sticky content which is the reason for the 7m 45s average visit to the site.
Bronze
Name: CFM56.com
URL: www.cfm56.com
Features: C lean, user friendly designed site going beyond just the engine specs and fuel burn. The site is an information destination and contains information that appeals to all those interested in not only CFM engines, but aviation in general.
Judges liked: S hows joined up thinking with overall branding and advertising campaign. Big emphasis on green technology, striking and simple home page which allows the user to navigate effectively through to lots of good content. No ambiguity about what message CFM is trying to convey.
Best Air Show Website
Who's this category for?
Air shows - both public and trade
Criteria: The Best Air Show Website is awarded to the website that showed the best and most comprehensive coverage of the show in question (pre, during and post show), a clear and effective use of multimedia, strong and intuitive site navigation and design.
Judges: Kevin O'Toole (Head of Strategy - Flight), Alan Peaford (Director - Aerocomm)
Gold
Name: Air Venture - Oshkosh
URL: www.airventure.org
Features: Provides detailed information about the show, including essential information for visitors planning on flying in. Fast and simple interface. Offers RSS for latest news.
Judges liked: This site doesn't just provide all of the information that you could possibly need, it also embodies the great spirit that makes the EAA's show such a great event. The videoed interviews and pilot experiences of arriving at the world's greatest meeting of aircraft really get close to the action. Both the advanced information and the post-show news really work well.
Silver
Name: Red Bull Races
URL: www.redbullairrace.com
Features: Tracks the Red Bull AirRace World Championship keeping fans up to date wherever they are in the world. Interviews with pilots and videos of them in action. Venue information for visitors.
Judges liked: This is an excellent site and works on a rolling basis through the whole air race seasons. Good links to the TV promotion and encourages users to return regularly to the site for more.
Bronze
Name: Royal International Air Tattoo
URL: www.rafcte.com/airshow
Features: C overs one of the biggest military flyins in the world and provides up-to-date visitor information and multimedia. Interactive elements such as email newsletters and blogs and downloads offer multi-dimensional online elements
Judges liked: The site does a great job in showing the world just why the 2008 event had to be cancelled while still showing the excitement from the validation days. Looking forward, the site comes into its own featuring easy navigation and enjoyable blogs.
Best Online Innovation
Who's this category for?
Anyone who's developed or implemented something new and cool on the web in 2008
Criteria:
The Best Online Innovation recognises the most original and ground breaking online innovation as demonstrated during 2008. It is awarded to the example which demonstrated originality married with success in the innovation's objectives.
Judges: Jim Muttram (Managing Director RBI), Lawrence Mitchell (Marketing Director RBI)
Gold
Name: Airservices Webtrack
URL:www.airservicesaustralia.com/aviationenvironment/noise/webtrak/locations.asp
Features: The first nationwide public-facing flight track and noise display website, encompassing eight major Australian airports. Provides near real-time and replayed dynamic displays of which aircraft are flying where.
Judges liked: C lever combination of technologies with propriety data resulting in a really innovative site. Provides a valuable service to the community and opens up data on the web with easy-to-use interfaces helping to set the tone for the future.
Silver
Name: Infogate
URL:www.aia.gr/igate
Features: Blends market intelligence with e-communication through e-tools: Infogate and Autopilot. Info-gate offers airlines 24/7 automated detailed customised monthly traffic and passenger profile information per destination. Autopilot provides turnaround costs calculations at AIA for 5 years.
Judges liked: O ffers airlines fast, customised, practical, accurate and up-to-date information on the Athens market. Leads the way in personalised customer communication.
Bronze
Name: Routes Online
Features: Interactive route development service. Online forum. Community networking which facilitates personal and business networking within the route development industry.
Judges liked: Good use of different types of content. Promises to change the way airports and airlines collaborate.
Best Online Marketing Campaign
Who's this category for?
Websites that have been active in marketing their services or products in 2008
Criteria: The Best Marketing Campaign recognises the most effective marketing programme or campaign to support a brand or product. It is awarded to the campaign which demonstrated a clear use of multimedia, together with originality and effectiveness.
Judges: Thom Clayton (Head of Online Sales - Flight), Naomi Landau (Client Services Director - AGA)
Gold
Name: Year of Learjet
URL: www.yearoflearjet.com
Features: Launched to re-invigorate the Learjet brand and successfully launch the new Learjet 85. Two websites showcase the Learjet portfolio, while the Learjet 85 microsite aimed at releasing information in phases on the new aircraft program.
Serves as a sales tool for the new aircraft, including a members section to inform clients and qualified leads of the Learjet 85 in greater detail.
Judges liked: An outstanding example. Sleek, professional, engaging and informative. Clearly succeeds in re-invigorating the Learjet brand as a whole and of introducing the new Learjet85. Very clear and consistent message. Great use of videos and interactive areas covering key features of the Learjet85 program. Highly stimulating user experience.
Silver
Name: Honeywell IntuVue™ 3D Weather Radar
URL: www.intuvue.com
Features: Part of an integrated marketing communications campaign launching its IntuVue family of advanced weather radar systems. Communicate and visually demonstrate the features & operational benefits of IntuVue through static and interactive content.
Judges liked: Delivers across all its campaign objectives. Instantly engaging and informative, enticing the user to explore. Delivers on the core requirement of communicating the features and benefits of IntuVue through intelligent use of animated features and demos.
Bronze
Name: SaveAtLCK ( Rickenbacker International Airport)
URL: www.saveatlck.com
Features: Markets the benefits of Rickenbacker International Airport to air cargo decision makers. Underlines the urgency of the industry situation. Uses humour and character to show how to cost save by flying to LCK.
Judges liked: Delivers a strong and compelling message in a simple and straightforward format. U ser friendly design, with supporting graphics to ensures the key benefits are communicated.
Best Aviation-related Blog
Who's this category for?
Bloggers who blog about one or more aspects of the industry
Criteria: The Best Aviation-related Blog is awarded to the Blog which was best able to demonstrate success in entering the discussions that happen in the blogosphere, had a strong track record in the use of all multimedia tools at their disposal and clear evidence of interaction with the blog's readership and community.
Judges: Jon Ostrower (FlightBlogger - Flightglobal), Adam Tinworth (Head of Blogging - Reed Business Information)
Gold
Name: JetWhine
URL: www.jetwhine.com
Features: Bold opinion on a wide range of aviation topics providing insight into the industry
Judges liked: Well-written, knowledgeable, a compelling read and a great sense of community demonstrating a phenomenal example of how social the aviation industry truly is. JetWhine delivers the online equivalent of the hanger conversations. Blog and twitter feed enables the going back and forth of robust aviation discussions. Jetwhine's accessibility is what makes social media, social.
Silver
Name: The Cranky Flier
URL: www.crankyflier.com
Features: News, opinion and information about airline industry for the consumer. Written from the perspective of an industry insider intending to explain why things happen the way they do.
Judges liked: Leveraged wealth of airline knowledge against a health dose of blogger snark creating an eminently enjoyable and informative read, while simultaneously becoming a key travel industry opinion leader. Lively, informative and just good fun.
Bronze
Name: Nuts About Southwest
URL: www.blogsouthwest.com
Features: Neat design and various community features. Witty airline blogging that does more than bleat about its own success
Judges liked: Nuts About Southwest is the natural extension of the strong customer loyalty Southwest Airlines enjoys. Uses traditional text blogging, user submitted photos via Flickr, youtube videos, podcasting and most notably Twitter to humanize its business and provide an outlet for that loyalty. Utilises full suite of social media tools and incorporates all aspects of new media encouraging a strong level of user participation. @SouthwestAir's Twitter feed has 8200+ followers and inspired other airlines to join the fray.
Best New Aviation Website (0-2 years old)
Who's this category for?
Any new website that's involved in aviation or aerospace
Criteria: The Best New Aviation Website is awarded to a website that has launched since Jan 2007 and achieved clear success within its field of activity. The winning entry has established a strong brand identity in its market, and demonstrated intuitive site navigation and design.
Judges: Brian Hargreaves, (Director - The Square), Henk Ombelet (Head of Business Development Flight Premium)
Gold
Name: Enviro.aero
URL: www.enviro.aero
Features: Provides the public with an informative resource centre of current measures to limit the impact of aviation on the environment. Addresses aviation's contribution to climate change, explains industry activities to reduce carbon emissions and provides case studies on innovations.
Judges liked: A long-overdue industry-wide response to the aviation vs environment topic. Clear user interface allows quick access to interesting information. Balances material for different audience such as - journalists, ordinary members of the public, students/schoolchildren. Provides the industry with a means to combat ignorance and prejudice which is common in the way the world thinks of our industry. Three cheers!
Silver
Name: Learjet 85
URL: www.learjet85.com
Features: D edicated to the learjet85.com program. Concise and intuitive navigation. Designed to build market awareness, drive customer demand and reinforce Learjet's brand identity. Members section informing clients of Learjet 85 in greater detail and advising them of program milestones.
Judges liked: Creates personality. Innovative and creative design. Technical details well handled, particularly the cabin size comparisons between the Learjet and its competitors.
'Keep me Updated' button is a nice touch.
Bronze
Name: SITA Corporate Website
URL: www.sita.aero
Features: Recently relaunched with redesigned. Content includes industry-respected surveys, webcasts, white papers and case studies. Also includes a range of information on IT trends and strategies, as well as products and services for the air transport industry.
Judges liked: Presents the wide range of SITA's capabilities, including complex information, in an easily digestible form. Good navigation, and the 'Products and Solutions' section is visually interesting.
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