For the 11th consecutive year, Global Traveler recognizes the top performers in travel, naming its 2021 Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year.
As technology and the travel industry evolve, providers continually adapt to meet travelers’ needs and expectations, striving to deliver better service, safety and value.
With travel restrictions easing, both domestic and international travel are recovering. Still, companies across the sector maintain careful measures to ensure a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for guests and staff.
This year we honor Delta Air Lines and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants — two brands leading the industry with innovative technology, thoughtful service and strong health and safety practices.
To decide these annual honors, a panel of Global Traveler staff and Advisory Board members review nominees across multiple criteria. They examine financial performance, operational efficiency including boarding and loading times, safety protocols, onboard and on-property offerings, and overall brand reputation.
DELTA AIR LINES | AIRLINE OF THE YEAR
Delta’s origins date back to 1925, when Huff Daland Dusters — the company’s predecessor — was founded in Macon, Georgia, before moving to Monroe, Louisiana. As the first commercial agricultural flying company, Huff Daland operated a sizable fleet and later ran an early international mail and passenger route in South America.
In 1928 C.E. Woolman purchased the company and renamed it Delta Air Service, inspired by the Mississippi Delta region. In 1929 Delta launched its first passenger route from Dallas to Jackson, with stops in Shreveport and Monroe, and soon expanded service across the Southeast.
PHOTO: © DELTA AIR LINES
Over the decades Delta expanded internationally and broadened its services. The airline has been an industry leader in adopting COVID-19 safety measures and deploying new technologies across apps, operations and inflight service.
Recently, Delta committed to advancing net-zero aviation through participation in the Aviation Climate Taskforce — a nonprofit initiative focused on accelerating decarbonization technologies to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint.
“We’re still too far from real, scalable solutions to clean air travel. We need SAF [Sustainable Aviation Fuel] to be just as accessible as oil, and new engine technologies to come to market exponentially faster, if we are going to meet industry goals,” said Amelia DeLuca, managing director of sustainability at Delta.
Delta also emphasizes inclusion, diversity and economic opportunity. The airline contributed to the “One Stock. One Future.” initiative, which supports Black and Latinx students across the United States by donating shares of stock to help build long-term financial stability for youth.
The multi-company program called on Fortune 1000 firms to donate shares collectively, and began by gifting shares to students, educators and staff at institutions such as Eagle Academies for Young Men, a network of public all-boys schools serving young men of color in New York City and Newark.
KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS | HOTEL OF THE YEAR
PHOTO: © KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Founded in San Francisco more than three decades ago, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants introduced the boutique hotel concept to the United States. Founder Bill Kimpton envisioned properties that felt more like stylish, livable homes than conventional hotels — an approach that has influenced hospitality worldwide.
Kimpton has become known for transforming historic and distinctive buildings into memorable hotels, combining thoughtful design with personalized service. The brand also emphasizes sustainability: Kimpton properties pursue certifications such as Green Key and IHG Green Engage and implement eco-conscious practices across their operations.
Now part of the IHG family, Kimpton is expanding globally while preserving its focus on individually designed boutique hotels and restaurants that offer unique guest experiences. The brand prioritizes warm, attentive service, creative food and beverage offerings, inventive meetings and events, and playful design that makes travelers feel genuinely cared for.
Kimpton’s workplace culture has been repeatedly recognized. The brand appeared on the 2021 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, marking its 12th year on that ranking. This recognition reflects Kimpton’s culture of inclusivity and heartfelt care, which encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
PHOTO: © KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
“Our people are hired for their heart, intuition and authenticity, and I believe wholeheartedly that they are what make Kimpton a best-loved boutique hospitality brand around the world,” said Mike Defrino, CEO of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
Kimpton continues to innovate with new offers, experiences and properties designed for a wide range of travelers, including families, while maintaining the distinctive service and spirit that earned it industry acclaim.