This year, Global Traveler celebrates the 11th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards — our annual rundown of the best in a variety of travel-related categories voted by our distinguished readers, who know the best in the world of airlines, hotels, credit cards, travel brands and loyalty programs. Averaging more than 30 round-trip international and domestic flights per year in first and business class and staying in 4- and 5-star hotels, our readers stand out as a unique and trusted group of frequent premium travelers more than qualified to vote for the best in the travel industry.
Last year, to honor a decade of excellence, Global Traveler introduced the 10-Year Hall of Fame to celebrate those winners who were awarded the same GT Tested Reader Survey award for 10 years. This year, three companies join this elite group, perennially recognized by our esteemed readers for excellence in their respective categories for 10 out of the past 11 years of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards. This illustrious group of winners is highly regarded for maintaining the highest quality standards, providing exceptional service and leading the way with innovation and excellence.
BEST OVERALL AIRPORT IN THE WORLD is Incheon Airport, voted by our well-traveled readers for the 10th time for its outstanding service, infrastructure developments and unmatched efficiency. Dubbed the “Winged City,” the modern gateway in South Korea serves 89 airlines annually flying approximately 41 million passengers to 194 destination cities. Boasting a 0.0001 percent baggage mishandling rate and countless facilities including culture experience zones and a museum teaching visitors about traditional Korean culture, peaceful gardens to relax in, countless lounges, endless places to eat, a number of high-end shops, two movie theaters and even an ice rink, Incheon is deserving of this accolade. With so many facilities and excellent customer service, it’s impossible for travelers stuck on long layovers or enduring delays or cancellations to become bored or frustrated.
To welcome more passengers to its state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality dining and retail venues and to accommodate visitors arriving for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, the hub recently launched a billion-dollar expansion plan to increase its passenger-handling capacity 41 percent by 2017. With an already impressive infrastructure and ambitious plans for the future, Incheon International Airport is paving the way for another 10 years of distinction.

© Air Canada
OUR READERS BESTOWED the title Best Airline in North America upon Air Canada for the 10th consecutive year, reflecting the carrier’s service excellence and industry-leading amenities. It’s easy to understand why Canada’s flag carrier ranks as a perennial favorite among our readers. With an extensive route network of more than 180 destinations on five continents, Air Canada offers incredible services on the ground and on board. Among these are fully flat beds in its International Business Class cabins; comfortable Maple Leaf Lounges; and concierge agents specially trained in service-oriented skills, providing exclusive dedicated service to the airline’s premium passengers in 24 airports around the globe.
A favorite worldwide among our readers for its industry innovations, Air Canada recently unveiled its new international standard for comfort on the airline’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Available exclusively in its completely redesigned International Business Class cabin, the airline’s newest Executive Pod offers passengers everything they’ve ever dreamt of and more. The 180-degree lie-flat seating includes massage functions, 18-inch entertainment screens offering extensive in-flight entertainment options, and Lavazza espressos and cappuccinos freshly brewed on board. Air Canada will keep dreaming and innovating with the delivery of six 787 aircraft this year and the remaining 31 through 2019. This transformation of its international wide-body fleet with the latest advancements in aviation technology ensures it will remain a steadfast contender for Best Airline in North America for years to come.

© Intercontinental Hotels Group
IHG REWARDS CLUB earned the title Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World 10 times over since the inception of the GT Tested awards for its excellent benefits and abundant opportunities to earn and redeem bonus points. The industry’s first and largest guest loyalty program, IHG Rewards Club offers its more than 82 million members points every time they stay at any of the 4,700-plus hotels across IHG’s nine brands worldwide. These include its premium InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand, boutique Hotel Indigo properties and wellness-oriented EVEN Hotels. Members receive some of the most generous benefits in the industry, including no blackout dates for Rewards Nights and a fast track to Elite status, providing perks such as priority check-in, rollover points and complimentary room upgrades.
To offer members more choice and flexibility, IHG Rewards Club relaunched last year with enhanced benefits, such as free Internet across all hotels around the world. Providing countless ways to earn and redeem award points on everything from stays to flights, car rentals to cruises, the program solidified its position as an industry leader and consistent favorite among our readers in the know.
Congratulations to this elite group of winners, and welcome to the GT Hall of Fame. Incheon Airport, Air Canada and IHG Rewards Club join Singapore Airlines, Asiana Airlines, United MileagePlus, South African Airways, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in this exclusive circle of excellence.
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