Passengers from all over the world have made their feelings known - they like a Virgin not just for the very first time, but every time.

In the first annual Passenger Choice Awards, hosted by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), Virgin-branded airlines swept no fewer than half of the 12 awards.

San Francisco-based Virgin America dominated the show, winning for best in-flight connectivity and communications; best ground experience; best in region-Americas; and the much-lauded award for best overall IFE for airlines that operate more than 25 IFE-equipped aircraft.

Virgin America APEX award
 © Billypix

V Australia, meanwhile, took home the award for best IFE user interface as well as best overall IFE for carriers that operate up to 25 IFE-equipped aircraft in their fleet.

Also winning Passenger Choice Awards during the Emmys-style ceremony in Long Beach were TAM Airlines for best in-flight publication; Air New Zealand for best in-flight video; JetBlue Airways for best cabin ambiance; British Airways for best in region-Europe; Singapore Airlines for best in region-Asia and Australasia; and Emirates for best in region-Middle East.

Separate to the Passenger Choice Awards, APEX handed out Avion Awards for best single achievement in IFE and best achievement in technology to Etihad Airways and Thales Avionics, respectively.

APEX Lifetime achievement awards were given to Cine Magnetics president Joe Barber and Panasonic Avionics CEO Paul Margis, while Crest Digital senior VP -special projects engineering Bryan Rusenko won the APEX outstanding contribution award.

Source: Flight Daily News