Singapore Airlines Named Best Airline in the World Global Traveler's Distinguished Readers Select Their Favorites in 50 Categories

Global Traveler aanounces the winners in its 2007 annual reader awards.

Yardley, PA (PRWEB) December 14, 2007 -- 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.

FXExpress Publications, Inc. • 62 South Main St., 2nd Floor • Yardley, PA 19067-8508

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