Global Traveler Announces Reader Survey Award Winners

Yardley, PA (PRWEB) December 1, 2009 -- For the sixth year, Global Traveler readers have spoken, and the results are in! More than 25,000 people responded to the magazine's annual survey. This year, Global Traveler's distinguished readers recognized airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 60 categories. The results of the survey will be announced in the December 2009 issue.

GT readers are frequent premium travelers who average 32 round-trip flights a year, with 96 percent traveling in first or business class regularly.

This year's roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), British Airways (Best Airline for Business Class) and Lufthansa (Best Trans-Atlantic Airline). Other top winners are Etihad (Best Airline in the Middle East), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline in North Asia), Air China (Best Airline in China), Park Hyatt (Best International Hotel Chain), Spain (Best International Tourism Destination), AT&T Wireless (Best Wireless Service in the World) and American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program).

Global Traveler is celebrating the sixth anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey Awards. Our consistent, unbiased reporting has placed the awards among the most highly regarded in the industry. The following award winners have claimed top honors in their respective categories since the survey's inception: Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants), Air Canada (Best Airline in Canada), Qantas (Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand), South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Best Airport in North America), United Mileage Plus (Best Frequent-Flyer Program), Park Hyatt (Best International Hotel Chain), Sheraton Hotels and Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America) and American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program).

This year marks the first year for the following GT Tested categories: Best All-Business Class (Singapore Airlines), Best First-Class Seat Design (Swiss International Airlines), Best Business-Class Seat Design (Korean Air), Best Airline to Japan (All Nippon Airways), Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents (Korean Air), Best Airport Dining (Denver International Airport), Best WiFi Service (Boingo Wireless) and Best Travel Gadget (Amazon Kindle Reader).

"I am proud to present our annual awards survey for the sixth consecutive year," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. "Over the years, the GT Tested Awards have come to represent success in the travel industry. Our award winners continue to set the benchmark for service in the industry. As frequent luxury travelers, our readers know quality, and year after year the winners they vote for emulate their high standards. I congratulate all the winners and I thank all our readers for their participation."

This year's winners will be feted at an evening cocktail reception on Thurs., Jan. 21, 2010 at the Andaz Wall Street in New York City. For more information, check out the December 2009 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 for First Class

Emirates

Best Airline for Business Class

British Airways

Best All-Business-Class Airline

Singapore Airlines

Best Airline for Domestic First Class

American Airlines

Best First-Class Seat Design

Swiss International Airlines

Best Business-Class Seat Design

Korean Air

Best Airline in North America

Air Canada

Best Airline for Premium Economy Class

EVA Air Elite Class

Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants

Asiana Airlines

Best Airline in Central/South America

TAM

Best Airline in Canada

Air Canada

Best Airline in Mexico

Mexicana

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline

Lufthansa

Best Trans-Pacific Airline

Thai Airways

Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand

Qantas

Best Airline in the South Pacific

Air Pacific

Best Airline in Eastern Europe

LOT Polish Airlines

Best Airline in Africa

South African Airways

Best Airline in the Middle East

Etihad Airways

Best Airline in North Asia

Asiana Airlines

Best Airline in Southeast Asia

Malaysia Airlines

Best Airline in China

Air China

Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India

Air India

Best Airline to Japan

All Nippon Airways

Best Airline for Security

EL AL Israel Airlines

Best Airport Lounges

Delta Air Lines Sky Lounge

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 Airport Dining

Denver International Airport

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

Korean Air

Best Airline Alliance

SkyTeam

Best International Hotel Chain

Park Hyatt

Best Domestic Hotel Chain

Marriott Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel in the United States

The Grand Del Mar, San Diego

Best Hotel in the Eastern United States

Jumeirah Essex House, New York City

Best Hotel in the Western United States

Montage Beverly Hills

Best Hotel in the Southern United States

The Breakers Palm Beach

Best Hotel in the Midwestern United States

The Peninsula Chicago

Best Individual Hotel in Asia

InterContinental Bangkok

Best Hotel Chain in Europe

Conrad Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in Asia

Grand Hyatt

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts

Best Domestic Tourism Destination

Arizona

Best International Tourism Destination

Spain

Best Domestic Business City

New Orleans

Best International Business City

Istanbul

Best Spa

Montage Laguna Beach, Calif.

Best Domestic Golf Resort

Pinehurst Resort, N.C.

Best Hotel Rewards Program

InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards

Best Wireless Service in the World

AT&T Wireless

Best WiFi Service

Boingo Wireless

Best Luggage Brand

Delsey

Best Credit Card Rewards Program

American Express Membership Rewards

Best Travel Gadget

Amazon Kindle Reader

Best Cruise Line

Seabourn

Best Duty-Free Shops

Dubai Duty Free

Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at the January reception: Qatar Airways (Best Wines on the Wing and Best White Wine), LAN (Best Sparkling Wine), Alitalia (Best Red Wine), Virgin America (Best North America Wines on the Wing and Best North America White Wine), American Airlines (Best North America Sparkling Wine) and Air Canada (Best North America Red Wine). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2009 issue.

About the Survey

Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in 60 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1, 2009, to Aug. 1, 2009. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/survey and through direct mail and email. Only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. An outside accounting firm, Citrin, Cooperman LLP, tabulated the results. Employees of the magazine and members of the travel industry were barred from participation. A total of 25,951 responses were received.

About Global Traveler

Global Traveler is a business travel and lifestyle publication and the publication of choice among seasoned business travelers. Global Traveler is the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, with an ABC paid circulation of 107,140+. The magazine is also the only ABC-audited magazine independently measured by MediaMark Research (MRI). No other monthly magazine in its category boasts a higher audited circulation or page count. Ninety percent of its readership has average household income in excess of $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 publishing Global Traveler magazine; eFlyer, a weekly electronic travel newsletter sent to subscribers and accessible online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/eflyer; and eFlyer Asia, www.globaltravellerasia.com/eflyer. The company also operates www.globaltravelerusa.com, www.globaltravellerasia.com and blog.globaltravelerusa.com. The company produces several annuals, including the Class Act Book, Global City Guidebook, Luxury Book, Globility book series and custom publishing for various entities.

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