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2013 GT Tested Awards Winners and Highlights

For the 10th consecutive year, Global Traveler presents the winners of the 2013 GT Tested Reader Survey. Seasoned readers once again selected the top airlines, hotels, destinations, travel products and services worldwide.

Like a yearbook of travel, the class of 2013 highlights standout performers across many categories. Topping the list as Best Airline in the World is Singapore Airlines, which also won Best Airline in Southeast Asia for a second straight year. Asiana Airlines earned its 10th consecutive nod for Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants. United MileagePlus again claimed Best Frequent-Flyer Program, while South African Airways was voted Best Airline in Africa. Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts were chosen as Best Airport in North America and Best Hotel Chain in Latin America, respectively.

oneworld was voted friendliest alliance and remains Best Airline Alliance for the fourth year running, representing carriers such as British Airways, American Airlines, LAN and Cathay Pacific. The Boeing 777 was selected Most Innovative as Best Aircraft Type.

Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways were singled out for redefining premium cabins: Etihad won Best Airline for First Class and Qatar won Best Airline for Business Class. Delta Air Lines captured Most Dependable as Best Airline for Domestic First Class, displacing a former repeat winner. Korean Air earned its first win for Best Flight Attendant Uniforms. Qatar Airways and Emirates were recognized for Most Artistic seat design in business and first class, respectively. Alitalia was named Best Airline Cuisine, and Singapore Changi Airport took Best Airport Dining. EL AL Israel Airlines was honored for security, winning Best Airline for Security for the fourth straight year.

Turkish Airlines’ new Houston–Istanbul route was a hit with readers, earning Best Airline for New Service Launch and the playful title Cutest Couple. Two programs recognized for dedication and consistency were Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum (Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program) and Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite (Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program).

Several long-running winners continue their streaks and were labeled Most Likely to Succeed. Air Canada was named Best Airline in North America for the ninth consecutive year. Incheon International Airport was voted Best Airport in the World for the eighth time. InterContinental Hotels Group’s IHG Rewards Club (formerly Priority Club Rewards) notched its ninth straight win as Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World. Jumeirah International and The Address Hotels + Resorts tied after multiple consecutive wins as Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East.

Regional standouts included Avianca (Best Airline in Central/South America) and Aeromexico (Best Airline in Mexico). Air New Zealand won Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand; Fiji Airways was Best Airline in the South Pacific; and TAP Portugal was voted Best Airline in Europe. Emirates and China Airlines earned Most Talented recognition in their regions. Hainan Airlines, Jet Airways and Japan Airlines were praised for their overall performance in China, Central/South Asia & India, and Japan, respectively. Brussels Airlines and Korean Air were selected Best Trans-Atlantic and Best Trans-Pacific Airline.

Presentation and service were also recognized: Etihad Airways was selected Best Airport Lounges, Turkish Airlines won Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents, and Dubai Duty Free kept its reputation as Best Duty-Free Shops. The Address Downtown Dubai retained Best Individual Hotel in the World for a third consecutive year. The Ritz-Carlton was the Most Accomplished winner with four awards, including Best International Hotel Chain and Best Domestic Hotel Chain.

Andaz continued to stand out as Best Lifestyle Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Incheon was again named Best Airport Hotel. The Resort at Pelican Hill was voted Best Golf Resort, while The Peninsula Beverly Hills was picked Best Hotel in the United States. Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces took Best Hotel Chain in Asia. Fiesta Americana Hotels claimed Best Hotel Chain in Mexico and Most Spirited. Seoul’s Lotte Hotel was honored as Best Hotel in Korea and Best M.I.C.E. City winner Seoul received the inaugural Best M.I.C.E. City recognition.

Other category winners reflect travel essentials and technology. Volvo was selected Best Overseas Delivery Program. National Car Rental was voted Best Car Rental Company. Ireland won Best Tourism Destination, and Boingo Wireless was chosen Best WiFi Service. Verizon Wireless was recognized Best Wireless Service in the World, while Sennheiser earned Best Noise-Canceling Headset. Briggs & Riley Travelware was again voted Best Luggage Brand. Among credit cards and loyalty-affinity products, United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase topped both Best Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program, and a host of affinity credit card winners reflect the growing importance of travel-branded cards.

The GT Tested Reader Survey also introduced several new categories in 2013 to honor emerging leaders. Freshman winners included United MileagePlus as Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program, LifeMiles from Avianca for Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption, and Delta Air Lines SkyMiles for Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service in the Americas. Among hotels, IHG Rewards Club won Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program, Choice Privileges earned Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption, and Hilton HHonors took Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service in the Americas.

Finally, Global Traveler’s Wines on the Wing competition revealed top in-flight selections. British Airways and Brussels Airlines won Best International First-Class and Business-Class Wines on the Wing, respectively, with Brussels also taking Best International Business-Class Champagne. Other category winners included Hainan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Jet Airways and SkyTeam. In North America, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Virgin America were among the winners.

The Voting Process

Open-ended ballots appeared in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2013. Ballots were also distributed via direct mail and email during that period. Ballots with fewer than 50 percent of fields completed were disqualified. More than 22,000 qualified ballots were submitted. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated travel industry members were not eligible to participate.

Best Airline in the World

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Emirates
  3. Qatar Airways
  4. Etihad Airways
  5. Asiana Airways
  6. British Airways
  7. Air Canada
  8. Lufthansa
  9. Swiss International Air Lines

Best Airline Alliance

  1. oneworld
  2. Star Alliance
  3. Etihad/airberlin/Aer Lingus/Air Seychelles
  4. SkyTeam
  5. Emirates/Qantas

Best Aircraft Type

  1. Boeing 777
  2. Airbus A380
  3. Boeing 747
  4. Airbus A340
  5. Boeing 787
  6. Boeing 737
  7. Airbus A330
  8. Boeing 767
  9. Airbus A320
  10. Boeing Business Jets/VIP

Best Airline for Business Class

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. British Airways
  3. Emirates
  4. Etihad Airways
  5. Singapore Airlines
  6. Air Canada
  7. Asiana Airlines
  8. United
  9. Cathay Pacific Airways
  10. Lufthansa

Best Airline for First Class

  1. Etihad Airways
  2. Emirates
  3. Qatar Airways
  4. Korean Air
  5. Swiss International Air Lines
  6. Asiana Airlines
  7. Qantas
  8. Lufthansa
  9. Singapore Airlines
  10. Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airline for Domestic First Class

  1. Delta Air Lines
  2. Virgin America
  3. American Airlines
  4. United
  5. US Airways

Best Airline for Onboard Service

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. Air Canada
  5. Swiss International Air Lines
  6. Cathay Pacific Airways
  7. Qatar Airways
  8. South African Airways
  9. LAN/TAM (tie)

Best Airline for Flight Attendants

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Air Canada
  4. Singapore Airlines
  5. Swiss International Air Lines
  6. Emirates
  7. LAN/TAM (tie)
  8. Qatar Airways
  9. Cathay Pacific Airways
  10. South African Airways

Best Airline Flight Attendant Uniforms

  1. Korean Air
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Qatar Airways
  4. Emirates
  5. Thai Airways
  6. Singapore Airlines
  7. Cathay Pacific Airways
  8. Air France
  9. Asiana Airlines
  10. Delta Air Lines

Best Airline Cuisine

  1. Alitalia
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Asiana Airlines
  4. Air France
  5. Swiss International Air Lines
  6. Lufthansa
  7. Qatar Airways
  8. Brussels Airlines
  9. Singapore Airlines
  10. Air New Zealand

Best Airline for Security

  1. EL AL Israel Airlines
  2. Lufthansa
  3. Swiss International Air Lines
  4. British Airways
  5. Air Canada
  6. Austrian Airlines

Best First-Class Seat Design

  1. Emirates
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Qatar Airways
  4. Swiss International Air Lines
  5. Singapore Airlines
  6. Asiana Airlines
  7. British Airways
  8. Qantas
  9. Cathay Pacific Airways
  10. United

Best Business-Class Seat Design

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. British Airways
  4. Singapore Airlines
  5. TAM
  6. Virgin Atlantic Airways
  7. LAN
  8. Qantas
  9. Asiana Airlines
  10. Swiss International Air Lines

Best Airline for New Service Launch

  1. Turkish Airlines (IAH)
  2. Qatar Airways (ORD)
  3. American Airlines (DFW to INC)
  4. SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SFO)
  5. Korean Air (DFW)
  6. OpenSkies (JFK)

Best Frequent-Flyer Program

  1. United MileagePlus
  2. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  3. American Airlines AAdvantage
  4. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  5. British Airways Executive Club
  6. Southwest Rapid Rewards
  7. Lufthansa Miles & More
  8. US Airways Dividend Miles

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program

  1. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum
  2. American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
  3. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold
  4. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
  5. United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
  6. US Airways Dividend Miles Chairman’s Preferred
  7. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred
  8. Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns Summit Level
  9. JetBlue Airways TrueBlue

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program

  1. United MileagePlus
  2. TAM Fidelidade
  3. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  4. American Airlines AAdvantage
  5. Air Canada Aeroplan
  6. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  7. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  8. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  9. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  10. Virgin America Elevate

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption

  1. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  2. Air Canada Aeroplan
  3. American Airlines AAdvantage
  4. TAM Fidelidade
  5. United MileagePlus
  6. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  7. US Airways Dividend Miles
  8. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  9. Southwest Airlines Rapid Returns
  10. Virgin America Elevate

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas

  1. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  2. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  3. TAM Fidelidade
  4. American Airlines AAdvantage
  5. Air Canada Aeroplan
  6. LAN LANPass
  7. United MileagePlus
  8. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  9. US Airways Dividend Miles
  10. Virgin America Elevate

Additional category winners across airports, hotels, credit cards, luggage brands and travel services complete the full results published by Global Traveler in 2013. Congratulations to all the winners — and cheers to another year of service excellence in travel.