Once again, Global Traveler readers have spoken and the results are in. More than 15,000 people responded to the magazine's annual survey, casting their votes in a bid to determine the best in 50 travel-related categories. Global Traveler readers are experienced frequent premium travelers who average 39 round-trip flights a year. The results of the eight-month survey are announced in the December 2007 issue of Global Traveler.
This year's roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), British Airways (Best Airline for Business Class), and American Airlines (Best Airline for Domestic First Class). Other top winners are Asiana Airlines (Best Onboard Service & Flight Attendants), LAN (Best Airline in Central/South America), Thai Airways International (Best Trans-Pacific Airline), American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program), Continental Airlines Presidents Club (Best Airport Lounges), InterContinental Priority Club Rewards (Best Hotel Rewards Program) and Travelpro (Best Luggage Brand).
This year marks the first year for the following GT Tested categories: Best Airline in North Asia (exl China) (Cathay Pacific Airways), Best Airline in Southeast Asia (Singapore Airlines), Best Airline in China (China Southern Airlines), Best Airline in Central/South Asia (incl India) (Jet Airways), Best Airline Security (EL AL Israel Airlines), Best Aircraft Type (Boeing 747), Best Domestic Tourism Destination (Hawaii), Best International Tourism Destination (Malaysia), Best Domestic Business City (New York), Best International Business City (Rome), Best Domestic Golf Resort (Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina), Best International Golf Resort (Gleneagles, Scotland), Best Wireless Service in the World (Verizon), Best Cruise Line (Cunard Line) and Best Duty Free Shops (Dubai).
"We continue to receive more and more respondents to our survey each year and this year we had an overwhelming 15,828 responses. The responses truly stand out because our readers are the most experienced travelers around and really the leaders in business and luxury travel," said GT Publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher. "The survey is truly a testament to all the winners who continually earn awards year after year. The invaluable results of our survey should greatly influence which carriers frequent business travelers choose to fly, where they decide to stay and which products they use."
This year's winners will be feted at a luncheon celebration on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York City. For more information, check out the December 2007 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website at www.globaltravelerusa.com.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline International First Class
Emirates
Best Airline for Business Class
British Airways
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines
Best Airline for Premium Economy
Virgin Atlantic
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South America
LAN
Best Airline in Canada
Air Canada
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Air France
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Thai Airways International
Best Airline in the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
Scandinavian Airlines
Best Airline in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand
Qantas Airways
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Malev Hungarian Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
Best Airline in the Middle East
Qatar Airways
Best Airline in North Asia (exl China)
Cathay Pacific Airways
Best Airline in Southeast Asia
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline in China
China Southern Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South Asia (incl India)
Jet Airways
Best Airline Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Airport Lounges
Continental Airlines Presidents Club
Best Airport in the World
Seoul Incheon Airport
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Best Aircraft Type
Boeing 747
Best Frequent Flyer Program
United Mileage Plus
Best Airline Alliance
SkyTeam
Best International Hotel Chain
Park Hyatt
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel in the United States
Hotel Bel-Air
Best Individual Hotel in Asia
Lotte Hotel, Seoul Korea
Best Hotel Chain in Canada
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Best European Hotel Chain
Conrad Hotels
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Mandarin Oriental
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah International
Best Domestic Tourism Destination
Hawaii
Best International Tourism Destination
Malaysia
Best Domestic Business City
New York
Best International Business City
Rome
Best Domestic Golf Resort
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
Best International Golf Resort
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
Intercontinental Hotels Group - Priority Club Rewards
Best Wireless Service in the World
Verizon Wireless
Best Car Rental Program
Avis Priority
Best Luggage Brand
Travelpro
Best Cruise Line
Cunard Line
Best Duty Free Shops
Dubai
Gleneagles, Scotland
About the survey
Global Traveler Magazine conducted the fourth annual survey of its readers from Feb.1, 2007 to Aug. 31, 2007, with open-ended questions for the best in 49 categories of business and luxury travel. A total of 15,828 completed questionnaires were received. The questionnaires were made available as an insert in subscriber copies of the magazine, and online at the Global Traveler Web site www.globaltravelerusa.com/readersurvey. Only those questionnaires where more than 50 percent of the questions were completed were counted; those answering fewer than 50 percent of the questions were discarded. Responses were also screened for duplication. Members of the travel industry and employees of FXExpress Publications were not allowed to participate.
Survey respondents spent a mean number of 61 nights last year on international business trips and 76 nights on domestic business trips. They took an average of 18 international flights and 21 domestic flights per person during that period. Of all respondents, 76 percent were male and 24 percent were female; average age was 45.
About Global Traveler
A business travel publication that takes into account the sophisticated lifestyle interests of today's executive travelers, Global Traveler is the publication of choice among seasoned business travelers. Circulated nationally, Global Traveler is the only ABC-audited American magazine for the international business traveler, with ABC paid circulation of 69,023. The magazine increased its frequency to12x/year effective with the January 2007 issue. No other monthly magazine in its category boasts a higher circulation or page count. Ninety percent of its readership has average household income over $100,000, 96 percent attended or graduated from college, and 98 percent of its readers are either top management or professionals.
About FXExpress Publications
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately-held company that publishes Global Traveler Magazine and eFlyer, a weekly electronic travel newsletter sent to subscribers and accessible online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/eflyer. The company also operates the Web site www.globaltravelerusa.com and the GTElite travel club for premium business and luxury travelers.