British Airways has scooped third place in the annual Superbrands awards for top consumer brands.

Some 650 brands were short-listed from a group of 1,200 by a panel of industry experts. The choices were based on the quality, reliability and distinctiveness of the brand.

A group of 2,000 consumers contacted by market research agency YouGov were then asked to vote on the top 500 from the short-list.

Jayne O’Brien, head of brands and marketing communications at British Airways, said: “We are delighted to have featured in the top three best consumer brands. To follow such established and internationally recognised brands as Microsoft and the BBC is high praise indeed and the competition overall was very stiff. We’re always particularly pleased to receive an award that is chosen by members of the public – our customers.”