British Airways shrugged off its recent difficulties to be named Airline of the Year for the first time in almost 20 years.

The company was also voted top airline in three other categories - best transatlantic airline, best Europe to Asia and Australasia carrier, and best airline based in Western Europe in the awards organised by travel information company OAG.

Last month figures showed that BA had lost more bags in 2006 than any other major European carrier.

The airline was also the hardest hit by the counter-terrorist measures introduced for passengers luggage last August and had to cancel hundreds of flights.

At Christmas, it had to put up with the thick fog which wrecked schedules at Heathrow.

BA has also had to contend with much adverse publicity over the case of Christian worker Nadia Eweida, whose insistence on wearing a visible cross at work led to BA changing its uniform policy.

The last time BA was awarded the top honour was in 1988.

OAG chief executive Alan Glass said: "British Airways performed solidly in just about every category it was eligible for.

"The people that matter, the world's frequent fliers, made it very clear in the way they voted that they like what BA is offering them.

"British Airways is a very worthy recipient of this year's OAG Airline of the Year Award."

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "It's fantastic.

It means a great deal to me and for everyone at BA.

"The way our people responded in difficult circumstances was phenomenal. I am so pleased that we have won."

The awards started in 1982 and BA now ties with Singapore Airlines and Crawley-based Virgin Atlantic in having won the top prize five times.

The lifetime achievement award went to easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

The outstanding service award from OAG was won by Maria Sabbah, Lebanon sales manager of BA subsidiary airline BMED.

The award recognised her "dedication and inspiring leadership" during the aftermath of last year's air attacks on Beirut and its international airport.