Last month we began voting in our annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards while also wrapping up voting for the Leisure Lifestyle Awards. We invited members of the Globility Board to share their perspectives and encourage readers to vote, either online or via the printed ballot in this issue. The Globility Board is a vetted group of well-traveled subscribers who serve as a sounding board for the magazine, offering insight into travel habits and preferences. In January they weighed in on hotels, resorts and cruise lines; this month we asked the same travelers what drives their choices for airlines and destinations. In celebration of our 15th anniversary, we also asked what the milestone means to them as readers, what they have enjoyed or disliked, and what they hope to see from the magazine going forward.
Read on for views from a few board members.
How I Choose Airlines and Destinations
When voting for airlines, I consider the total flight experience from curb to curb. Different travelers value different aspects of service, so there’s room for varied opinions about the “best” airline. For me, the soft product—the manner in which service is delivered—matters most. I prefer attentive but unobtrusive service: flight attendants who notice needs without hovering or asking the obvious. For example, staff in the Delta Sky Club in Salt Lake City repeatedly asked if I needed anything, which felt intrusive after the first check-in. In a essentially self-serve lounge environment, staff should be able to spot someone searching for assistance and respond, but otherwise let people be.
I also value staff who go out of their way to help with specific issues. On a recent flight to Shanghai on China Eastern, I had mistakenly set the DiDi ridesharing app to Chinese and couldn’t switch it back to English. After asking several crew members for help, peers finally resolved the issue. Small gestures like that leave a lasting impression—along with practical amenities such as reliable free WiFi on China Eastern’s trans-Pacific business-class flights.
Destination votes depend on the trip theme and how well the place fulfills that theme. A Tahiti beach holiday is not comparable to cultural sightseeing in London, historical exploration in Israel, or visiting pandas in Chengdu—each delivers a different satisfaction. This year I visited Israel and mainland China for the first time and enjoyed both for different reasons.
Why I Love the Magazine
I appreciate Global Traveler’s thoughtful physical presentation: the slightly nonstandard size and quality paper, the readable article font and the range of topics covered. The news section and focused features like technology are consistently strong. I also like the occasional handwritten-style marginal notes—they’re used sparingly and add value rather than feeling like a gimmick. Fifteen years is a long run for a print title today, and I’m glad Global Traveler has remained a tangible magazine rather than going online-only. I expect it will continue to thrive.
— Mike Russo
Paper Still Matters
The 15th anniversary feels like a timepiece or watch—a fitting metaphor for a publication that tracks time and travel. I first discovered Global Traveler in United Clubs and later became a subscriber after seeing special offers like bonus points. While I use the online version, I treasure the paper copy and make it my required onboard reading.
I enjoy themed issues, reader correspondence, hotel and airline reviews, and concise destination articles that get to the point. I appreciate coverage of lesser-known or unexpected places—one memorable feature was about Chernobyl. In short: Global Traveler is part of my travel life. Here’s to another 15 years.
— Sue Castorino
Airline Enthusiast Perspective
I first encountered Global Traveler more than a decade ago in an airline lounge and immediately became a fan. As an airline enthusiast, I love reading about new products and cabin innovations. Each year I vote for airlines that make flying itself enjoyable—not just getting to a destination. New suites from Singapore Airlines and Delta or United’s Polaris cabin excite me, but in-flight service remains the deciding factor. Often, Asian carriers excel in that area.
— Eric Chiang
A Mature Yet Dynamic Title
Congratulations to Global Traveler on 15 years. In some cultures this milestone marks passage into adulthood, and the magazine feels both mature and dynamic. I value the team’s hands-on involvement with the travel industry and readers. Moving forward, I’d like to see more coverage that balances the good with candid accounts of mistakes, places to avoid, and lessons learned—honest assessments that help readers make informed choices.
— Jean-Christophe Murat
Why I Vote
Voting in the GT Tested Reader Survey lets me highlight great travel experiences and reward hotels, airlines or cruise lines that consistently deliver outstanding service. Social media often captures fleeting impressions, but the GT survey immortalizes reader opinions in print. With airlines, quality is increasingly variable; even first class rarely matches past standards unless you fly routes like Singapore frequently. Recognition matters: airlines that handle cancellations properly, resolve lost baggage, or run a meaningful loyalty program deserve votes for their efforts.
I value Global Traveler’s detailed coverage. Many travel magazines are all pictures, but GT offers practical reviews that I read and save. Destination features often uncover things I missed on prior trips—one Turkey story in 2016 reminded me of sights I later visited in İstanbul. I dog-ear and file useful articles; they’re worth keeping.
— Benjamin DeLee
Familiarity and Loyalty
Familiarity with a website, loyalty program, property or aircraft often guides my voting. Loyalty can also help when things go wrong and you need a better resolution. I appreciate how the awards bring industry executives together—ceremonies draw leaders who use the recognition in company promotions, which reinforces service standards.
My wife and I became subscribers after picking up the magazine in an airline lounge. Years ago we were invited to a GT awards event at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles and were pleasantly surprised to be welcomed as local subscribers. The event allowed us to meet industry executives, including the brand manager of the Boeing 747—an unforgettable conversation for me. My wife’s favorite is British Airways, and she enjoyed talking with BA executives at the event.
Global Traveler consistently provides useful information on destinations, airline amenities and hotels. We subscribe to many publications, but GT remains on our coffee table.
— Steven and Angela White
Destination Recommendations
My wife and I have had wonderful vacations in Asia and Africa. The temples and shrines of Bangkok and Chiang Mai are remarkable. In Chiang Rai we stayed at an Anantara property near an elephant rescue camp and enjoyed gardens and a small opium museum. Phuket’s Mom Tri’s Villa Royale is a relaxing end to a sightseeing tour with excellent beach, dining and spa offerings. On trans-Pacific routes, All Nippon Airways’ business class is a strong recommendation.
We took a Tauck tour of China—Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Chongqing, a three-day Yangtze River cruise, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Both Shanghai and Hong Kong harbors are spectacular at night. On one trip we flew United nonstop from Washington Dulles to Beijing in first class, and returned on Cathay Pacific business class with a brief stop in Vancouver.
This month we head back to Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Singapore, sampling business-class cabins on Austrian Airlines, Thai Airways and Air China.
Southern Africa is also remarkable. We visited Cape Town and Sabi Sabi Sands, a private reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park with unrestricted wildlife movement between the areas. Safari vehicles can access diverse terrain, and we stayed at the Earth Lodge—comfortable, not “tented”—with twice-daily safaris and excellent meals. We flew South African Airways for parts of the trip and found the food very good.
— Marvin Singer
Business Travel and Memorable Stays
Recent years have included busy business travel across Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Turkey, Mexico, Jamaica, Belgium, France and Italy. One memorable trip to Paris was hosted by designer Thierry Mugler for the 20th anniversary of his Angel fragrance. I stayed at the Royal Monceau, which has become my favorite hotel for its location, service, Clarins Spa, indoor pool and standout breakfast at La Cuisine. Dining at Hélène Darroze’s restaurant was exceptional, and I recommend Le Hoche for business lunches—the clafouti is an excellent dessert choice.
I voted for Turkish Airlines after multiple business trips on the carrier. A long layover in İstanbul allowed access to an expansive business lounge with showers, great food and business services. Turkish’s in-flight cuisine stood out: meals arrived moist, fresh and flavorful, which is rare in the air. For Europe travel I favor United’s Polaris business class; after a month in Bellagio, Italy, I flew Polaris to Milan and appreciated the service and wine selection, even as I miss some earlier amenity details.
— Donna Childs