2018 Airline and Hotel of the Year Winners Revealed

FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE year, Global Traveler recognizes the industry’s finest by naming its Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year for 2018.

In a world driven by instant service, personalization and high expectations, simply keeping pace is no longer enough. To stand out, companies must deliver memorable experiences—true “wow” moments—that leave lasting impressions. This year, Delta Air Lines and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts have done just that, earning GT’s 2018 Airline and Hotel of the Year honors.

Winners are selected through nominations from Global Traveler staff and decisions by an Advisory Board. The selection process evaluates a broad set of criteria: financial performance, boarding efficiency, safety records, brand reputation, onboard offerings and overall passenger or guest experience. Those factors, combined with firsthand knowledge and research, make these awards meaningful industry recognitions.

Exceptional brands are distinguished not only by their products and services but also by how they respond to challenges, lead innovation, uplift communities and advance industry standards. They keep improving even when excellence is expected—qualities that define these two honorees.

DELTA AIR LINES

AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2018

Delta Air Lines traces its roots to 1924, when it began as Huff Daland Dusters, an aerial crop-dusting business in Macon, Georgia. The company’s early agricultural focus evolved rapidly: Collett E. Woolman acquired the business in 1928, moved its base, renamed it Delta Air Service and launched the first passenger flight between Jackson, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. From that modest start, Delta grew into a major commercial carrier.

Delta moved its headquarters to Atlanta in 1941 and expanded steadily through the jet age, adding international routes to Europe in the 1970s and transpacific service in the 1980s. The airline evolved through mergers and acquisitions and eventually adopted the Delta Air Lines name. Despite financial challenges that led to a Chapter 11 filing in 2005, Delta emerged from reorganization in 2007 and merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008, strengthening its route network and operational scale.

Today, Delta serves more than 180 million customers annually, flying to over 300 destinations in more than 50 countries across six continents. The airline operates a fleet of more than 800 aircraft, supports more than 80,000 employees and, as a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, participates in a global network that operates thousands of daily flights.

Delta’s recent accolades reflect its operational and service strengths: it earned GT’s Airline of the Year title, has been listed among Fortune’s Top 50 Most Admired Companies multiple times, and topped Business Travel News’s annual Airline Survey.

This year Delta advanced several initiatives that improve the passenger experience and industry standards: infrastructure upgrades across its network, terminal renovations at LaGuardia Airport, expanded pet safety efforts through Delta Cargo, enhanced training to combat human trafficking, planning for a new Delta Sky Way at Los Angeles International Airport, and a commitment to eliminate single-use plastics. These projects, paired with consistent customer service, underscore Delta’s focus on long-term progress.

Delta’s culture and workforce are central to its success. Community involvement, veteran support, sustainability efforts and employee-driven design choices—illustrated by the rollout of new uniforms created with designer Zac Posen—reflect an organization attentive to both people and performance.

From humble beginnings to global leadership, Delta’s history demonstrates resilience, innovation and a commitment to raising the bar—qualities that make it a deserving Airline of the Year.

ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS

HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2018

Rosewood Hotel Group manages four distinct hotel brands—Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Penta Hotels, New World Hotels & Resorts, and KHOS—each with its own identity. At the pinnacle of the collection, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts represents ultra-luxury hospitality defined by location-driven design and personalized service.

Established in 1979, Rosewood built its reputation on the philosophy “A Sense of Place,” designing properties that reflect the history, culture and landscape of their destinations. Each hotel aims to feel residential and authentic, immersing guests in the spirit of the locale.

Rosewood’s team of hospitality professionals emphasizes meticulous attention to detail and service. That focus allows the brand to consistently deliver high-end stays and distinctive experiences that satisfy discerning travelers.

This year Rosewood expanded its global portfolio with openings in notable destinations. The new Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos offers immersive cultural experiences and a luxury tent encampment that connects guests with the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang; it also supports a philanthropic hospitality school. New properties in Bermuda and Nassau, Bahamas, enhance Rosewood’s wellness and spa offerings, while additional openings and renovations across California, China and Thailand broaden the brand’s reach.

Alongside growth, Rosewood maintains a firm commitment to environmental stewardship. The brand emphasizes sustainable operations that respect natural habitats, local cultures and community welfare. Rosewood’s approach includes conserving energy, managing waste and recyclables responsibly, protecting clean air and water, and offering natural and organic food and energy-efficient amenities to guests.

Rosewood’s sustainability efforts extend beyond operations to guest education, encouraging responsible travel and showcasing efficient practices that benefit both local communities and the broader industry. These initiatives reinforce the brand’s commitment to preserving the places its hotels call home.

Combining refined elegance, thoughtful stewardship of place and consistently exceptional service, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts stands out in the luxury segment. Its dedication to authenticity, sustainability and superior hospitality earned it GT’s Hotel of the Year award for 2018.