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It was a standout year for the winners of the 2012 GT Tested Awards. For the ninth consecutive edition, readers of Global Traveler selected the top airlines, hotels, destinations, travel goods and services worldwide.

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Readers once again crowned Singapore Airlines Best Airline in the World. Asiana Airlines moved up to second place from fourth in 2011, with Lufthansa, British Airways and South African Airways completing the top five.

Emirates was voted Best Airline for International First Class for the second year running. British Airways, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines held their places in the top four, while Swiss International Air Lines climbed into fifth.

British Airways captured Best Airline for Business Class for the eighth straight year, followed by Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Asiana Airlines and Lufthansa. SWISS claimed the top spot for Best Business-Class Seat Design, and Emirates led Best First-Class Seat Design.

Air Canada was voted Best Airline in North America for the eighth year in a row, with United, American Airlines, Virgin America and JetBlue rounding out the top five. American Airlines remained Best Airline for Domestic First Class for the sixth consecutive year.

Asiana Airlines continued its strong showing as Best Airline for Onboard Service for the ninth year and Best Airline for Flight Attendants for the ninth year. In a new category this year, readers selected Etihad Airways for Best Airline Flight Attendant Uniforms.

LAN topped Best Airline in Central/South America for the second consecutive year, while Aeromexico was Best Airline in Mexico for the third year running. Lufthansa held Best Trans-Atlantic Airline for the fourth consecutive year, and Asiana Airlines again took Best Trans-Pacific Airline. Qantas edged V Australia as Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand, and Air Tahiti Nui retained Best Airline in the South Pacific.

TAP Portugal was voted Best Airline in Europe, and South African Airways added another win as Best Airline in Africa. Emirates kept Best Airline in the Middle East, EVA Air unseated Korean Air as Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China), and Singapore Airlines reclaimed Best Airline in Southeast Asia. China Southern Airlines rose to No. 1 in the Best Airline in China category.

Jet Airways won Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India for the third year in a row, and All Nippon Airways became a four-time winner as Best Airline to Japan. EL AL Israel Airlines was chosen Best Airline for Security for the sixth year, and Alitalia took Best Airline Cuisine for the third consecutive year.

Brussels Airlines was recognized for Best Airline for New Service Launch for its New York (JFK) route. Lufthansa Cargo earned Best Airline for Cargo, and Emirates was lauded for Best Airport Lounges. Incheon Airport secured its seventh straight ranking as Best Airport in the World, followed by Singapore Changi, Munich, Düsseldorf and Hong Kong.

Chicago O’Hare remained Best Airport in North America, marking its ninth win, and the Boeing 747 was again voted Best Aircraft Type for the sixth consecutive year.

The readers also recognized loyalty programs and travel services. United MileagePlus was named Best Frequent-Flyer Program for the ninth time. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America won Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold was voted Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program. Fans of alliances honored oneworld as Best Airline Alliance for the third straight year, and Qatar Airways was singled out for Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents.

In airport services, Singapore Changi Airport won Best Airport Dining. Private-jet categories highlighted regional leaders: Executive Jets Asia (Asia), CitationAir (the Americas), NetJets Europe (Europe) and Royal Jet Group (the Middle East).

The best is yet to come

Readers chose The Address Downtown Dubai as Best Individual Hotel in the World for the second consecutive year. The Ritz-Carlton topped Best International Hotel Chain, while Conrad Hotels & Resorts claimed both Best Domestic Hotel Chain and Best Hotel Chain in Europe. Andaz won Best Lifestyle Hotel for the third straight year, and The Peninsula Beverly Hills remained Best Hotel in the United States.

Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces rose to the top as Best Hotel Chain in Asia. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts kept Best Hotel Chain in Latin America, Fiesta Americana repeated as Best Hotel Chain in Mexico, and Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts continued its lead in the Middle East. Lotte Hotel in Seoul was recognized as Best Hotel in Korea in a new category.

The Ritz-Carlton Club Level was selected Best Hotel Club Floor, and Hyatt Regency Incheon was named Best Airport Hotel. Ireland earned Best Tourism Destination, while Abu Dhabi was voted Best Business City.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon was once again chosen Best Golf Resort. InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards won Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World for the eighth consecutive year. Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase was selected Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card, and Hilton HHonors Diamond earned Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program.

Boingo Wireless repeated as Best WiFi Service, Verizon was voted Best Wireless Service in the World for the third year, and Sony Noise Canceling Headsets were readers’ choice for Best Noise-Canceling Headset.

Briggs & Riley took Best Luggage Brand for the third time. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase was named Best Credit Card and tied with American Express Membership Rewards for Best Credit Card Rewards Program. Dubai Duty Free won Best Duty-Free Shops, and Audi was selected for Best Overseas Delivery Program.

Wines on the Wing

Each year Global Traveler surveys the wines served to first- and business-class passengers. In the 2012 Wines on the Wing tasting held in New York City, a panel of 28 judges sampled 134 wines submitted by 29 airlines.

British Airways led in the International First Class category, and Brussels Airlines topped International Business Class. Asiana Airlines’ Champagne (Pol Roger 1999) and Hainan Airlines’ business-class Champagne (G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge, NV) were among the highlights. Asiana also won Best White Wine in international first class, and South African Airways earned Best White Wine in international business class.

British Airways captured top honors for red wines in both international first and business class. American Airlines was recognized as Best North American Wines on the Wing and won Best North American Sparkling and Best North American Red Wine. United received Best North American White Wine, and oneworld won Best Alliance Wines on the Wing.

The Voting Process

The voting period ran Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2012. Open-ended ballots appeared in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online. Ballots were also distributed by direct mail and email. Submissions with less than half of the fields completed were disqualified. More than 28,000 qualified ballots were counted. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated travel-industry members were ineligible to participate.

Results

Wines on the Wing

Best International First Class Wines on the Wing

British Airways

Best International Business Class Wines on the Wing

Brussels Airlines

Best Champagne International First Class

Pol Roger 1999 — Asiana Airlines

Best Champagne International Business Class

G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge, NV — Hainan Airlines

Best White Wine International First Class

Roux Clos des Poruzots Meursault 2009, Burgundy, France — Asiana Airlines

Best White Wine International Business Class

Driehoek Sauvignon Blanc 2011, South Africa — South African Airways

Best Red Wine International First Class

Newton Johnson Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, South Africa — British Airways

Best Red Wine International Business Class

Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 — British Airways

Best North American Wines on the Wing

American Airlines

Best North American Sparkling Wine

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, NV, California — American Airlines

Best North American White Wine

Canyon Road Chardonnay 2010, California — United Airlines

Best North American Red Wine

181 Merlot 2008, California — American Airlines

Best Alliance Wines on the Wing

oneworld, represented by airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways and Finnair