The Dubai-based international carrier beat off stiff competition from other airlines, toppling last year's winner Singapore Airlines into second place and British Airways to third, to claim the top accolade in the Business Travel category. Emirate achieved high scores in all criteria including service/staff, range of routes, catering, in-flight entertainment, punctuality/efficiency and luggage handling.

Majid Al Mualla, Emirates' manager UK south, said "While Emirate has won many awards in its 20 year history; there is nothing satisfying for us than winning those awards which are voted for by airline passengers-our customers.

The Conde Nast Readers Travel award is one such honour and a massive endorsement for our UK business. Winning this award serves to underline our efforts, at Emirates, to new standard of customers service and care-both on the ground and in the air"

Emirate also polled the highest score for its in-flight entertainment in the 'Long-Haul Leisure Airline' category.

Regarded as the UK's most prestigious travel awards event, the Conde Nast readers Awards was attended by key figures in the UK travel and transport industry.

Over 20,000 readers of Conde Nast Traveler, one of the world's most influential travel publications, completed a questionnaire encompassing all aspects of travel. An average mark was then calculated to determine an 'overall satisfaction' percentage to identify the very best in travel and tourism across a range of categories, with the 'Top 100' paying tribute to the overall winners: the highest scored, irrespective of category.

Emirate has won more than 270 awards since it was founded in 1985. The Dubai-based airline currently offers 13 departures each day from UK to Dubai, some 91 return flights per week. Alongside five services a day from London Heathrow, the carrier offers choice of three daily services from London Gatwick, two per day from both Manchester and Birmingham, and a daily service from Glasgow.