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Global Traveler Announces 8th Annual Reader Survey Award Winners

Dec 1, 2011
Press Releases

The results are in! For the eighth consecutive year, Global Traveler conducted its GT Tested Reader Survey, asking frequent business and luxury travelers to name the best in a variety of travel-related categories. More than 36,000 people responded.

This year, Global Traveler‘s distinguished readers recognized airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 66 categories. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2011 issue, available today.

GT readers are frequent premium travelers averaging 16 international and 16 domestic round-trip flights a year, with an average household income of $340,000 per year. Global Traveler’s elite readers spend an average 80 nights per year away on foreign travel and 40 nights on domestic travel.A whopping 78 percent regularly travel in first or business class.

This year’s roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Emirates (Best Airline for First Class), Swiss International Air Lines (Best First-Class Seat Design) and Air Tahiti Nui (Best Airline in the South Pacific). Other top winners are South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Hainan Airlines (Best Airline in China), Incheon International Airport (Best Airport in the World), The Ritz- Carlton (Best Domestic Hotel Chain), The Peninsula Beverly Hills (Best Hotel in the United States), Boingo Wireless (Best WiFi Service) and Dubai Duty Free (Best Duty- Free Shops).

Over the past eight years, Global Traveler’s consistent, unbiased reporting has placed the GT Tested Reader Survey among the most highly regarded in the industry.

This year marks the first year for the following GT Tested categories: Best Private Jet Company in Asia (Deer Jet), Best Private Jet Company in the Americas (Delta Private Jets), Best Private Jet Company in Europe (Air Partner), Best Private Jet Company in the Middle East (Royal Jet), Best Hotel in the World (The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai), Best Overseas Delivery Program (Audi) and Best Noise-Canceling Headset (Sony Noise-Canceling Headsets).

“We are excited to announce the eighth annual GT Tested Reader Survey award results,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “We received more than 36,000 responses this year, which is staggering. And, our readers know the best; the

2011 winners were truly chosen by the cream of the crop. Congratulations to all the winners. The companies topping our list this year are the very best of the best.”

This year’s winners will be feted at a cocktail reception this evening at award-winning The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, Calif. For more information, check out the December 2011 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website athttp://newgtsite.wpengine.com A. complete recap of tonight’s festivities will be featured in the March 2012 issue.

Best Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines

Best Airline for First Class
Emirates

Best Airline for Business Class
British Airways

Best Business-Class Seat Design
Virgin Atlantic Airways

Best First-Class Seat Design
Swiss International Air Lines

Best Airline in North America
Air Canada

Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines

Best Airline for Premium-Economy
Scandinavian Airlines

Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines

Best Airline in Central/South America
LAN Airlines

Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Lufthansa

Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Asiana Airlines

Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand
V Australia

Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui

Best Airline in Europe
TAP Portugal

Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways

Best Airline in the Middle East
Emirates

Best Airline in North Asia
Korean Air

Best Airline in Southeast Asia
Thai Airways

Best Airline in China
Hainan Airlines

Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India
Jet Airways

Best Airline to Japan
All Nippon Airways

Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines

Best Airline Cuisine
Alitalia

Best Airport Lounges
United Club

Best Airport in the World
Incheon International Airport

Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Best Aircraft Type
Boeing 747

Best Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus

Best Airport Dining
Changi International Airport

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Korean Air

Best Airline Alliance
oneworld

Best Private Jet Company in Asia
Deer Jet

Best Private Jet Company in the
Americas

Delta Private Jets

Best Private Jet Company in Europe
Air Partner

Best Private Jet Company in the Middle East
Royal Jet

Best Hotel in the World
The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai

Best International Hotel Chain
The Peninsula Hotels

Best Domestic Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton

Best Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz

Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Best Hotel in the Eastern United States
Jumeirah Essex House, New York City

Best Hotel in the Western United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
FiestAmericana Hotels and ResortsBest Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts

Best Hotel Club Floor
Grand Hyatt Grand Club

Best Domestic Tourism Destination
Oregon

Best International Tourism Destination
South Africa

Best Domestic Business City
Philadelphia

Best International Business City
Barcelona

Best Spa
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria
Hotel

Best Golf Resort
Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Ore.

Best Hotel Rewards Program
IHG Priority Club Rewards

Best Wireless Service in the World
Verizon

Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless

Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley

Best Overseas Delivery Program
Audi

Best Credit Card Rewards Program
American Express Membership Rewards

Best Travel Gadget
iPad

Best Tour Operator
Lindblad Expeditions

Best Duty-Free Shops
Dubai Duty Free

Best Noise-Canceling Headset
Sony Noise-Canceling Headset

Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at tonight’s reception: OpenSkies (Best Business-Class Wines on the Wing), Asiana Airlines (Best First-Class Wines on the Wing, Best First-Class Champagne, Best First- Class Red Wine), Etihad Airways (Best Business-Class White Wine), EL AL Israel Airlines (Best First-Class White Wine), South African Airways (Best Business-Class Sparkling Wine), V Australia (Best Business-Class Champagne), TAP Portugal (Best Business-Class Red Wine), Lufthansa (Best First-Class Red Wine), SkyTeam (Best Alliance Wines on the Wing), American Airlines (Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American Sparkling Wine, Best North American Red Wine) and US Airways (Best North American White Wine). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2011 issue.

About the Survey
Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in
66 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1, 2011, to Aug. 31, 2011. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online athttp://newgtsite.wpengine.com/surveyand 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.

About Global Traveler/FXExpress Publications, Inc.
Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international
business traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an ABC-paid
circulation of 107,140+. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa.,
is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer;
eFlyerAsia and several annuals; and also operating newgtsite.wpengine.com,
http://www.globaltravellerasia.com and blog.globaltravelerusa.com.

Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/globaltravelermagazine
and follow us on Twitter, @Gtmag.

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