A premium population of frequent travelers -- 13,653 business travelers who average 39 round-trip flights a year -- participated in an extensive 8-month survey conducted by Global Traveler magazine to determine the best service providers in a wide range of travel categories, the results of which are released in the January issue of Global Traveler.
The cream of the crop, according to these high-end international travelers, are British Airways (Best Airline), American Airlines (Best Airline for Domestic First Class), and Qatar Airways (Best Airline in the Middle East). 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), Korean Air (Best Airline for Cargo), Continental Airlines Presidents Club (Best Airport Lounges), InterContinental Priority Club Rewards (Best Hotel Rewards Program) and Travelpro (Best Luggage Brand).
"Our readers are the opinion leaders of business and luxury travel," said GT Publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher. "Since we have access to such an important group of individuals, we created our annual survey to determine the preferences of the most experienced travelers around. The number of people that responded to the survey more than doubled this year. The result is a valuable listing of the best in the travel industry, determined by more than 13,000 seasoned travelers."
British Airways also won the award for Best International Business Class. Other GT Tested Awards for best-in-class go to Emirates for Best International First Class and Singapore Airlines for Best Premium Economy Class. A total of 89% of survey respondents fly First or Business Class on their international travels.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Airline in the World
British Airways
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
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South America
LAN
Best Airline in Mexico
Mexicana
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)
Finnair
Best Airline in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand
Qantas Airways
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Malev Hungarian Airlines
Best Airline to Russia, the CIS and Baltic States
Lufthansa
Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
Best Airline in the Middle East
Qatar Airways
Best Airline for Cargo
Korean Air
Best Airline Alliance
SkyTeam
Best Frequent Flyer Program
United Mileage Plus
Best Airport in the World
Seoul Incheon International Airport
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O&39;Hare International Airport
Best Airport Lounges
Continental Airlines Presidents Club
Best International Hotel Chain
Park Hyatt
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
InterContinental
Best Hotel in the United States
Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
Best Hotel Chain in Canada
Fairmont Hotels&Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Europe
Conrad Hotels
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah International
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Grand Hyatt
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels&Resorts
Best Hotel Rewards Program
InterContinental Priority Club Rewards
Best Individual Hotel in Canada
Fairmont Banff Springs
Best Individual Hotel In Europe
Hotel Kamp, Helsinki
Best Individual Hotel in Latin America
The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago
Best Individual Hotel in Asia
Hotel Lotte, Seoul
Best Car Rental Program
Hertz Prestige Collection
Best Luggage Brand
Travelpro
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
American Express Membership Rewards
Best Business City
Best Tourism Destination
Malaysia
Hong Kong
About the survey
Global Traveler Magazine conducted the third annual survey of its readers from February 1, 2006 to August 31, 2006, with open-ended questions for the best in 42 categories of business and luxury travel. A total of 13,653 completed questionnaires were received. The questionnaires were made available as a six-page insert in subscriber copies of a magazine, and online at the Global Traveler website http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/readersurvey. Only those questionnaires where more than 50% of the questions were completed were counted; those answering fewer than 50% 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% were male and 24% were female; average age was 45.
About Global Traveler
A business travel publication that takes into account the sophisticated lifestyle interests of today&39;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 60,055. The magazine has 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% 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, Pennsylvania, is a privately-held company that publishes Global Traveler Magazine and eFlyer, a weekly electronic travel newsletter sent to subscribers and accessible online at http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/eflyer. The company also operates the Web site http://www.globaltravelerusa.com and the GTElite travel club for premium business and luxury travelers.
FXExpress Publications, Inc. 62 South Main St., 2nd Floor Yardley, PA 19067-8508
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