Cover Stories

The Best of 2007

by Mary Hunt

Your votes are in: GT readers name the best of the best in travel.

When it comes to selecting the best that travel has to offer, who better to ask than someone who’s been there? Each year, Global Traveler asks the ultimate experts — you, our discerning, selective, well-traveled readers — to share your experience and your wisdom. Again this year you rose to the occasion, in greater numbers than ever before, naming the best of the best in 49 categories, from airlines and hotels to airports, aircraft, loyalty programs, destinations and much more.

This year’s survey of Global Traveler readers was conducted from Feb. 1 to Aug. 31, 2007. The open-ended questionnaires appeared in subscriber copies of the magazine and online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/survey, and were also distributed by direct mail and email to GT readers. Counting only those questionnaires in which more than 50 percent of the questions were answered, we received a record 15,828 individual questionnaires. The tabulated results of those questionnaires determined the rankings in each category. (Employees of the magazine and individuals associated with the travel industry were barred from participation.) These are entirely your awards — and we thank you for your thoughtful responses and enthusiasm.

Based upon the latest trends in travel and your responses to previous surveys, we added some new categories this year, including “Best Airline for Security,” “Best Aircraft Type,” “Best Domestic Tourism Destination” and four new airline categories within Asia. For the first time, we also asked you to name your picks for best domestic and international golf resorts, best cruise line and best global wireless service.

Each year we grow more impressed by our readers’ experience and global perspective. Your globility — that quality we define as openness to a world of cultures and experience — is well in evidence, and is what makes the recipients of these awards cherish the honor you have bestowed upon them.

FLYING HIGH
Singapore Airlines, which shared first-place honors last year, returned to the top spot solo as 2007’s “Best Airline in the World.” And the airline isn’t resting on its laurels; we caught up with Singapore Airlines representatives in Sydney as they were counting down to the first-ever commercial flight of the new super-jumbo Airbus A380 aircraft on Oct. 25, which proudly wore Singapore Airlines colors.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for travelers, with an unprecedented number of aircraft technology and in-flight comfort innovations taking place,” said Singapore Airlines spokesman James Boyd. “It’s a forward-looking time for aviation. And it’s all designed to create a better benefit in terms of comfort, connectivity and control for the passenger.”

As the world watched the countdown to the first commercial flight of the A380 — a charity auction for tickets on the flight raised $1.25 million — Singapore Airlines continued to raise its game on multiple fronts. In 2007, it incorporated a full suite of office applications into the Kris- World entertainment system on its Boeing 777-300ERs; neared completion of a full transition to e-ticketing (the first non-U.S. airline to do so); expanded and enhanced its mobile flight notification system; introduced a Popular Local Fare program featuring the “comfort foods” of departure cities around the globe; established new in-flight and online shopping catalogs for its first- and business-class passengers; and celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Singapore Airlines also won in another category newly added to the survey: “Best Airline in Southeast Asia.”

“We are certainly gratified that the readers of Global Traveler chose us for these honors,” Boyd said. “We find it incredibly satisfying that they are responding to our philosophy of using design technology and an ironclad service philosophy to create the best possible experience for the passenger.”

Emirates remains, for the third year in a row, our readers’ choice as “Best Airline for International First Class.” From the airline’s complimentary chauffeur service to its exclusive lounge in Dubai to its cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system, GT readers find that Emirates best defines long-haul first-class service.

Readers once again named American Airlines “Best Airline for Domestic First Class.” Multiposition headrests, Bose noisecanceling headphones, duvets, and the airline’s famed attention to its menus and wine selection are among the reasons why.