Cover Stories

The Best of 2004

Travelers unfamiliar with the Middle East may consider the region far from cutting edge, but frequent travelers know that some of the most innovative airlines hail from this part of the world. The winner of Best Airline in the Middle East goes to Emirates. Boldly launching nonstop service from the United States this summer, Emirates is expanding rapidly and is serious about service as demonstrated by its first-place ranking for Best Overall Amenity Kit in a recent Global Traveler survey (see “The Gifts They Give,” Global Traveler, November 2004).

“Emirates is honored to be chosen by the readers of Global Traveler magazine as the Best Airline in the Middle East,” said Nigel Page, Emirates’ senior vice president for commercial operations, the Americas. “Emirates is dedicated to providing our guests in all cabins the most comfortable flying experience possible, not just to the Middle East, but throughout our network of 77 destinations.”

Right behind Emirates in this category, Saudi Arabian Airlines has been offering nonstop service from the United States to the kingdom since the 1970s. Qatar Airways, one of the most rapidly expanding airlines in the world, placed third. The carrier plans to begin service from New York in the spring (see GT Tested, Global Traveler, September 2004).

You selected United Mileage Plus as the Best Frequent Flyer Program. Maybe it was the easy-to-use interface on United.com or maybe it’s the carrier’s membership in the vast Star Alliance network — either way, United Mileage Plus was the clear winner in this category. Northwest World Perks and Continental OnePass followed in second and third place.

“United is gratified that the readers of Global Traveler magazine have selected United Mileage Plus as their frequent-flyer program of choice,” said Arnold Lewis, vice president of marketing programs for United Airlines. “With our customers in mind, United has made building the Mileage Plus program the best in the business.

“United is making the program even richer in 2005, with many new enhancements to reward our Mileage Plus members for their extended loyalty, including added upgrades and quicker earned elite status,” said Lewis.

The merging of airline alliances has created stronger and more extensive networks that benefit frequent international travelers like ourselves with seamless connections and an ever-expanding selection of airport lounges. Star Alliance, the first truly global alliance, was your favorite.

Airports

On the road, it’s important to have a place to relax, download email and make the most of before- and between-flight time. For that reason, airport lounges are an integral element of the travel experience — especially in this post-9/11 world in which we’re required to get to the airport hours before flight time.

We’re sure these factors played a role in your selection of Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse Lounges as the Best Airport Lounges. The element of fun Virgin has worked into its top-notch lounges struck a chord with both business and leisure travelers. For example, the Virgin Atlantic Lounge at London Heathrow offers transiting passengers all kinds of ways to pass the time – relax and have a beer, set up shop at a workstation to check email, have a little fun in the music room, get a massage on the observation deck or even have your hair done in a professional salon. The lounge ambience makes travel fun again and clearly illustrates Virgin Atlantic’s tag line, “Go Jetset Go!”

United Airlines’ Red Carpet Rooms took second place, while British Airways and its trans-Atlantic “sleeper service” that allows passengers to enjoy a complete meal in the lounge prior to boarding their flight for a good night’s sleep comfortably ensconced in a BA lie-flat bed, earned third place.

Many of us do our absolute best to get out of airports as quickly as possible. Still, we can’t help but appreciate a facility like Seoul Incheon Intern ational Airport (ICN). Voted Best Airport in the World, the relatively new airport has been dubbed a “winged city.” Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) earned second place, while Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) placed third.

In North America, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) was ranked No. 1 followed closely by Denver International (DEN) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL). If you have ever stopped for a moment to observe the sea of people passing through these airports, you know how amazingly efficient they are. Sure, travel has its ups and downs, but traveling through these megahubs is, by and large, hassle free.