For the fifth consecutive year, Global Traveler recognizes leaders in the travel industry whose forward-thinking operations, distinctive amenities and warm hospitality set them apart. The 2015 Airline of the Year is Turkish Airlines, and the 2015 Hotel of the Year is The Ritz-Carlton Hotels.
A selected panel of Global Traveler staff and Advisory Board members chose the winners after independent research and experience-based evaluation of financial performance, occupancy and load factors, on-time performance, safety records, brand strength and culinary offerings. Once selected, an airline or hotel 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 consistently demonstrate a commitment to exceptional service and style for today’s traveler,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “Outstanding service starts with a corporate culture that empowers employees to deliver unmatched care and hospitality.”
Below are the 2015 winners for Airline and Hotel of the Year.
Turkish Airlines
Airline of the Year 2015
Founded in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Turkish Airlines has grown into one of the world’s fastest-expanding carriers. The airline focuses on delivering strong customer service and premium products while maintaining rigorous safety standards and pursuing environmentally responsible practices.
Onboard, passengers experience warm Turkish hospitality and a wide range of comforts. Business class on the carrier’s Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A330-300 features seats that convert to fully reclined beds up to 75 inches long. Comfort Class provides a roomy premium-economy experience with 19.5-inch seat width and significant recline on the 777-300 aircraft.
Turkish Airlines © Turkish Airlines
Culinary service is a highlight: onboard Flying Chefs oversee meals from preparation at Turkish Do & Co’s İstanbul kitchens to final presentation in flight, ensuring restaurant-quality dining that reflects Turkish flavors and techniques.
At Istanbul Atatürk International Airport, the carrier’s arrival and departure lounges provide premium passengers with a comfortable transition on the ground. Amenities in the arrival lounge include showers and ironing service, along with varied food and beverage options. The departure lounge, recently expanded to accommodate more than 1,000 guests, features cinema screenings, a golf simulator, a library, billiards, a children’s playroom, a media wall with global news, massage rooms, showers and a sleeping area. Two sections of the lounge are connected by a spiral staircase symbolizing Turkish Airlines’ global connectivity.
Turkish Airlines continues to expand its network and modern fleet. The carrier serves more than 270 destinations across six continents with over 290 aircraft. After launching services to Boston and Montréal in 2014, it added San Francisco and Miami in 2015 and planned daily flights to Atlanta beginning May 2016, bringing its North American destinations to 10.
Fully reclined bed © Turkish Airlines
Alongside network growth, Turkish Airlines pursues sustainability through a fuel-efficiency program and more than 100 operational optimization projects to reduce carbon emissions and support industry efforts against climate change.
The airline’s loyalty program, Miles&Smiles, offers tiered benefits across Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus levels, including priority check-in and boarding and companion discounts on business class fares.
On receiving the award, Turkish Airlines commented, “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 pleased that readers of Global Traveler recognize our efforts to provide a premium flying experience with the highest levels of safety and comfort.”
Congratulations to Turkish Airlines for expanding its route network, enhancing passenger experience in the air and on the ground, and maintaining strong sustainability initiatives.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Hotel of the Year 2015
The Ritz-Carlton’s guiding motto, “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen,” captures the refined service and genuine hospitality that define the brand and its recognition as Hotel of the Year.
With properties in 29 countries and territories, The Ritz-Carlton follows its Gold Standards—a motto, a credo emphasizing guest care, an employee promise to develop talent, 12 service values and three steps of service—that shape consistent, high-quality guest experiences across the portfolio.
About 35,000 employees worldwide follow The Ritz-Carlton’s simple yet powerful service steps: a warm greeting using the guest’s name, anticipating and addressing needs, and a sincere farewell. These elements create personalized moments that distinguish the brand.
Business and event planners benefit from extensive meeting and event facilities at many properties, from high-tech urban venues like The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park, to unique outdoor settings at locations such as The Ritz-Carlton, Bali. Meeting spaces combine modern technology with inspiring surroundings, and team-building offerings are tailored to suit each group.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong private dining room © The Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Ritz-Carlton spas provide signature treatments in tranquil environments designed to renew and relax. The brand’s Kyoto spa integrates Zen principles and the soothing presence of a waterfall to create a restorative atmosphere.
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program awards Silver, Gold and Platinum Elite status with benefits such as room upgrades, exclusive events and the ability to redeem points for stays and unique experiences, including private shopping events and elite merchandise.
The brand emphasizes environmental and social responsibility through its Community Footprints program, which focuses on child well-being partnerships, hunger and poverty relief projects, and community volunteer efforts. The Ritz-Carlton’s Environmental Responsibility strategy aims to reduce energy and water use by an additional 20 percent by 2020, increase local and organic dining options through partnerships with local suppliers, source environmentally preferred products, encourage green hotel development and inspire conservation among staff and guests.
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve © The Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Looking ahead, The Ritz-Carlton has new properties planned in Jeddah, Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nanjing and Hainan Island. The brand is also rolling out an updated logo and brand voice—the first evolution of the lion-and-crown emblem in the company’s 32-year history—to remain relevant to a new generation of luxury travelers while preserving the core service values guests expect.
Herve Humler, president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., L.L.C., said, “We are honored that discerning travelers selected The Ritz-Carlton as their top choice. This recognition reflects our team members’ dedication to providing exceptional service around the world.”
Congratulations to The Ritz-Carlton for delivering outstanding hospitality, premier accommodations and modern facilities, and for earning the Hotel of the Year 2015 award.