The Onboard Hospitality team was this year pleased to announced the winners of the 2021 Onboard Hospitality Awards by online video, as it was not possible for our global industry to come together due COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenging times we are living through we were delighted to receive over 100 entries in 11 categories, including a Ones to Watch category recognising products not yet onboard but actively targeting the market.

The judging process was slightly tweaked this year so that all entries could be considered by our expert judging panel which identified Winners and Highly Commended products/services. In categories where there were only one or two entries, the judges did not identify a winner as it was felt there had been no real contest but instead identified a Highly commended only for an entry felt to be a potential winner.

In addition, Readers’ Vote recognition was noted – identified by our online vote.

The judges were asked to assess the products based on the following criteria: Innovation, First Impressions, Quality, Durability, Lifespan, Weight, Usefulness, Design, Functionality, Taste, Content, Adding to the Customer Experience. The comments can all be viewed in the ceremony.

Our Cabin Concept of the Year Award for airlines recognised the fact that often it is not just one product but a combination right across the cabin that makes the difference. New for 2021 was a free to enter Industry Champions category recognising those going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Our congratulations to all our winners.

Cabin Concept of the Year

• GOLD WINNER: Qatar Airways
• SILVER WINNER: Korean Air
• BRONZE WINNER: LOT Polish Airlines

Category winners

Best Onboard Amenity Kits in First/ Business

• Winner: Buzz Penhaligons for Singapore Airlines
• Highly commended: Qatar Airways Breast Cancer Awareness Kit

Best Onboard Amenity Kits in Premium Economy

Highly commended: Clip EVA Air x Kipling

Best Onboard Amenity Kits for Economy/ Low Cost Carriers

• Winner: AK Service Eco Economy Kit on Air Astana
• Highly commended: Kaelis Umrah Kit on Turkish Airlines

Best Onboard Beverage

Highly commended: Retail inMotion Julius Meinl Weiner Melange Coffee

Best for Wearable Textiles Onboard

Highly commended: Buzz Jason Wu EVA Air Sleepsuit

Best Onboard Textiles for Business or First

• Winner: Kaelis for Middle East Airlines (MEA)
• Highly commended: WESSCO for Icelandair Comfort Set

Best for Wellbeing Onboard

• Highly commended: Buzz Wellness Kit for Etihad
• Winner: Wessco JetBlue Mint Amenity Kit

Best Onboard Kids Catering

Highly commended: Fru Crew Bursting Berry Oat Bar

Best Kids Kits Onboard

• Winner: Augusta Air France Pencil Case
• Highly commended: Kaelis Air Astana Four New Professions Kits

Best Onboard Service Equipment – Crew

Highly commended: Rex Airlines Business Service Equipment by Global-C

Best Onboard Service Equipment – Passenger

• Winner: Clip Guzzini EVA Air Tableware
• Highly commended: Kaelis Vistara Tableware

Catering Innovation of the Year

• Winner: Qatar Airways Brunch Platter
• Highly commended: Panoramic Gourmet on Glacier Express

Best Onboard Snacks for Business and First Class

Highly commended: Do Good Labs Chocolate Bar

Best Onboard Snacks for Economy

• Winner: Retail inMotion Sprungli SWISS Cold Cuts Platter
• Highly Commended: En Route International Galley Box

Best for Onboard Sustainability

• Winner: ElifNatty Eco-Friendly Packaging for Turkish Airlines
• Highly commended: Retail inMotion Sustainable Onboard Menus and Digitalisation

Best use of Onboard Technology

• Winner: AirFi ScootHub
• Highly Commended: Qatar Airways Zero-Touch IFE

Ones to Watch

• SATS Asian Heritage Desserts
• Retail inMotion Augmented Reality Shopping
• Clip CLICK Tray
• Monty’s Bakehouse Snack Pack
• Libero Special Meals Box Created By Global-C
• Kaelis Protected by Copptech Antiviral Technology

Readers’ Vote

As part of the judging process, we asked our readers to vote for their favourite entries. These results were taken into account by the judging panel in coming to their final verdicts.

• Best for Onboard Amenity Kits in First/ Business: Galileo Watermark for Turkish Airlines
• Best for Onboard Amenity Kits in Economy/ Low Cost Carriers: Buzz Economy Kit for United Airlines
• Best for Onboard Wellbeing: WESSCO United Airlines Crew Masks
• Best for Onboard Textiles in Business or First: Kaelis Stone for Icelandair
• Best for Kids Kits Onboard: Buzz Disney Kits for Singapore Airlines
• Best for Service Equipment – Passenger: Qatar Airways Latte Glass
• Catering Innovation of the Year: SATS Catering Concept for Singapore Airlines with Global-C
• Best for Onboard Snack in Business and First Class: Qatar Airways Nova Scotia Lobster Claw Avocado Sourdough Toast
• Best for Onboard Snacks in Economy: Monty’s Bakehouse Chilled Duo Box
• Best for Onboard Sustainability: Monty’s Bakehouse BarricadeECO and Rex Airlines Business Service Equipment by Global-C
• Best for Onboard Technology: Collins Aerospace Electronic Cabin Bag (eCB)

Industry Champions

This past year has turned the spotlight onto resilience and commitment. As the industry navigates its way out of the pandemic, Onboard Hospitality wanted to celebrate and share the stories of individuals and teams went the extra mile to reshape the future and support recovery. In this free-to-nominate category we identified nine Industry Champions, with special merit going to the SATS’ Executive Culinary Team

SATS Executive Culinary Team

Monty’s Bakehouse – Entire team

Retail inMotion – Entire team

Linstol’s account managers – Carolyn Weld, Vanessa Smith, Matthew Dunham-Novoa, Julia Gilchrist, Melissa Briant and Jane Shade

Robert Smithson, General Manager Culinary, dnata catering

Australian People & Culture Team, dnata catering

John Garnham, Business Manager, snapfresh

The John Horsfall Design Team

Frank René Welkerling, CEO Compass Supply Solutions (CSS) & Chichester Bonded Solution