For the fifth consecutive year, Global Traveler honors the forward-thinking leaders in the travel industry whose innovative operations, unique amenities and warm hospitality distinguish them from the competition with the Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year awards. The 2015 winners of these prestigious awards are Turkish Airlines, Airline of the Year, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Hotel of the Year.
A selected panel of Global Traveler employees and Advisory Board members chose the winners, based on experience and independent research on financial data, occupancy rates, load factors, on-time figures, safety records, brand image and menus. Once an airline or hotel is selected, it is ineligible to participate for three years. The selection event took place Sept. 16 at Philadelphia’s Union League.
“Winners of Global Traveler’s Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year awards have demonstrated time and time again their modus operandi focuses on offering top-notch service and style for today’s modern traveler,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “Great service originates from an inspiring and professional corporate culture that empowers employees to share matchless service and style with their clients and guests.”
We are pleased to introduce the 2015 Airline and Hotel of the Year winners.
Turkish Airlines
Airline of the Year 2015
Launched in 1933 with a fleet of only five aircraft, Turkish Airlines is now one of the fastest-growing carriers in the world. In the air and on the ground, Turkey’s flag carrier is dedicated to delivering top-notch customer service and premium products and amenities while staying committed to flight safety and eco-friendly initiatives.
From the moment they step on board, guests are treated to warm Turkish hospitality and an extensive selection of in-flight comforts. Business class on the carrier’s new Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A330-300 fleet features a comfortable seat capable of reclining to 75 inches in the fully reclined bed position, while Comfort Class offers a spacious premium-economy seat with a width of 19.5 inches and recline of 8.8 inches on the new Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
In addition to satisfying comfort needs, the carrier satiates appetites with restaurant-quality meals and personalized service from chefs on board who act as culinary ambassadors of Turkey. Turkish Airlines’ expertly trained Flying Chefs are involved in the dining process from creation at Turkish Do & Co’s İstanbul catering facilities to completion of the final meal preparation on board to ensure meals look and taste like dishes served in gourmet restaurants.
Luxuries abound in Turkish’s arrival and departure lounges in the international terminal at its Istanbul Atatürk International Airport hub. Premium passengers are treated to a relaxed experience with showers and ironing service as well as a wide range of food and beverages to help guests feel refreshed after their flights at the carrier’s arrival lounge.
The departure lounge recently added more space, nearly doubling its capacity to 1,030 guests at a time, and a variety of new facilities. Connected by an impressive spiral staircase designed to represent the connectivity Turkish offers to its global customer base, the two sections of the lounge boast endless opportunities for recreation, dining, relaxation and business. Guests have access to a cinema, golf simulator, library, billiards room, playroom for children, media wall showcasing the latest events around the world on several television monitors, massages, showers and a sleeping room.
In addition to frequently enhancing the customer experience both at 35,000 feet and on the ground, the Star Alliance partner is constantly developing its route network. The carrier has spread its wings to more than 270 destinations around the globe, flying to cities across six continents with a young fleet of more than 290 aircraft. After launching services from İstanbul (IST) to Boston (BOS) and Montréal (YUL) in 2014, the carrier commenced flights to San Francisco (SFO) this past summer and added Miami (MIA) this fall, offering a total of 10 North American destinations. With no plans to ease back on the throttle, Turkish begins daily flights to Atlanta (ATL) in May 2016.
Coupled with a strong commitment to grow its route network is the carrier’s dedication to conducting its business in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner. Turkish established a comprehensive fuel efficiency program to support the collective effort of the aviation industry against climate change and implemented more than 100 operational optimization projects in order to reduce its carbon footprint.
Miles&Smiles, the carrier’s frequent-flyer loyalty program, offers multiple membership rewards for four membership levels, including Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus. Membership benefits range from convenient perks like priority check-in and boarding to privileges like discounts on business class for companions.
Regarding the prestigious accolade, Turkish Airlines remarked, “We are honored to win GT’s Airline of the Year award in 2015. Having been named Best Airline in Europe by Skytrax for the last five years, we are happy to see the hard work we are putting in making Turkish Airlines a premium carrier is being recognized by the readers of Global Traveler, too. As the airline that flies to more countries than any other airline in the world, we strive to offer our customers a superb flying experience at the highest levels of safety and comfort on board our young fleet of modern aircraft.”
Congratulations to an airline continually growing its expansive route network, enhancing the customer experience in the air and on the ground and staying committed to sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Hotel of the Year 2015
“We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen.” The Ritz-Carlton’s motto exemplifies the high level of refined service and hospitality guests receive from our 2015 Hotel of the Year winner.
The brand, with properties worldwide in 29 countries and territories, delivers legendary customer service and extraordinary experiences based on The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards, consisting of its motto, a credo holding the genuine care and comfort of guests as its highest mission, its employee promise to nurture and maximize talent to the benefit of each individual and the company, 12 service values and three steps of service.
Each day, 35,000 employees from countries around the globe live The Ritz-Carlton’s three steps of 5-star service: a warm and sincere greeting using the guest’s name, anticipation and fulfillment of each guest’s needs, and a fond farewell with a warm goodbye using the guest’s name. The brand’s three hallmarks of service fuel the consistency and greatness of this luxury brand and generate valuable, personalized experiences exclusively found at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Business travelers and meeting planners are well taken care of at each property with ample meeting and event facilities and amenities ranging from team-building opportunities tailored to engage each group’s collaborative spirit to meeting areas that combine modern technology with exotic settings. Guests have the opportunity to host meetings in cutting-edge spaces like those at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park, boasting state-of-the-art technology and inspiring views of the Statue of Liberty, or gather their group in an unconventional outdoor venue as captivating as its surroundings at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali.
Unique spa, leisure and dining opportunities are plentiful at each location. Spas at The Ritz-Carlton offer luxurious, highly personalized signature treatments in tranquil havens that inspire renewal. The newest spa location at its Kyoto hotel draws from the teachings of Zen to provide a space for relaxation with a healing atmosphere amid the comforting sounds of a flowing waterfall.
Members of The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program can stay their way to Silver, Gold or Platinum Elite membership. Each offer an extensive selection of opportunities to enjoy the very best of what Ritz-Carlton has to offer, ranging from complimentary room upgrades to exclusive member events. Members can redeem points for stays, distinctive experiences like an exclusive personal shopping event with Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman and even elite merchandise and gift cards.
From service and accommodations to environmental and social sustainability, Ritz-Carlton commits to maintaining high standards in every aspect of its business.
Engage. Contribute. Inspire. These are the guiding principles of Ritz-Carlton’s social and environmental responsibility program, Community Footprints, created to make a difference in the communities where Ritz-Carlton operates. With its resources and skill-based volunteer efforts, the company endeavors to support child well-being through partnerships with local organizations; provide hunger and poverty relief by building homes, cooking and serving food at shelters and offering essential resources; and work toward a more sustainable future by staying committed to environmental responsibility.
In order to provide earth-friendly luxury, the strategy of The Ritz-Carlton Environmental Responsibility focuses on reducing energy and water consumption a further 20 percent by 2020; increasing local and organic dining options through partnerships with local farmers, growers and seafood purveyors; sourcing environmentally preferred products; empowering hotel development partners to build green hotels; and inspiring employees and guests in conservation efforts.
On the horizon, The Ritz-Carlton has new properties in Jeddah, Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nanjing and Hainan Island in its pipeline as well as a newly created brand logo and brand voice designed to build relevance for the next generation of luxury consumers. Changes to the revered lion and crown — the first in the 32-year history of The Ritz-Carlton — will be implemented across all guest touch points over the next year. While The Ritz-Carlton is evolving its brand identity to meet the tastes of a new generation of consumers, guests can still expect the highest levels of service and values from the legendary brand.
“At a time when many brands claim to offer their customers luxury, it is very gratifying to see that the truly discerning and sophisticated traveler selected The Ritz-Carlton brand as their No. 1 choice; thank you to the readers of Global Traveler,” said Herve Humler, president and COO, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., L.L.C. “We are especially pleased that our website won an award as the best and that we were rated as Best International and Best Domestic Hotel Chain. It is a tribute to the commitment to our guests from our ladies and gentlemen at our hotels and resorts around the world.”
Hats off to a distinguished collection of hotels dedicated to providing guests with the finest hospitality, first-rate accommodations and modern facilities. Congratulations to the Hotel of the Year 2015.
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