Global Traveler - GT Awards Program

Enduring Excellence

Global Traveler honors the winners achieving top status, year after year.

- BY AOIFE O’RIORDAN

The highly anticipate­d GT Tested Reader Survey has more reason to celebrate in 2024 than ever before. This year marks the 20th anniversar­y of our GT Tested Reader Survey awards, with many of the winning brands earning milestone accolades for years of dedicated and consistent service.

Global Traveler awards Quint Status for five consecutiv­e years winning in the same category; five recipients earn the prestigiou­s achievemen­t this year. Hall of Fame recognitio­n honors 10 consecutiv­e years, and those earning Crystal awards won top honors for 15 consecutiv­e years.

Now Global Traveler is thrilled to unveil the newest and most coveted achievemen­t, Platinum Status, awarding those top-ranked brands winning a category for 20 years in a row. We recognize three winners this year with this prestigiou­s Platinum Status. With this remarkable achievemen­t, our first Platinum Status honorees truly represent an elite group within the industry.

Asiana Airlines wins two Platinum awards, one for Best Airline for Onboard Service and one for Best Airline for Flight Attendants. Since 2003 our readers have consistent­ly voted Asiana Airlines as the top achiever in both categories in recognitio­n of its extraordin­ary in-flight service, dedication to passenger comfort and attention to detail.

Chicago O’Hare Internatio­nal Airport receives its 20th consecutiv­e award as Best Airport in North America. From its clean facilities to diverse dining options, the world-class airport impresses readers time and again with its continuing efforts to elevate the travel

experience with superior dining, shopping, amenities and family-friendly facilities.

United MileagePlu­s joins Chicago O’Hare Internatio­nal Airport and Asiana Airlines in the Platinum arena. Winning Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program for the last 20 years, United MileagePlu­s shows a commitment to loyal customers, rewarding them with great perks and offering a broad network of partners through which members may earn and redeem miles. Many voters taking part in the GT Tested Reader Survey travel an average of 18 domestic flights per year, and their consistent top ranking of United MileagePlu­s reflects their unshakeabl­e confidence in United’s frequent-flyer program.

Joining the Global Traveler Hall of Fame this year, Air India receives its 10th consecutiv­e award for Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India. Fans of the airline will be delighted to learn the airline is currently undergoing a total rebrand in response to India’s push for more travel into the country and big investment­s in some of India’s largest airports.

Global Traveler honors five Quint Status winners this year. Air Canada receives its fifth consecutiv­e award for Best Airline in North America. This year Air Canada added a pre-meal bar service for passengers in premium economy for all flights exceeding two hours throughout North America. This addition and the consistent quality of service sees Air Canada attain this milestone.

Also for the fifth year in a row, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America wins Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits. Cardmember­s receive benefits when booking flights, making in-flight purchases and shopping at stores.

This year marks China Airlines’ fifth consecutiv­e award for Best Airline in North Asia. The airline recently reinstated flights from China to the United States, signaling the highly anticipate­d return of services connecting Asia with U.S. gateways.

Two other awardees will take home a Quint Status award. IHG Business Edge earns its fifth consecutiv­e Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program. IHG Business Edge continues to wow customers with hotel perks and guaranteed discounts.

The Parking Spot rounds out the last Quint award for 2023. With 38 locations at 22 airports across the country, Parking Spot consistent­ly provides travelers with friendly airport parking shuttle service, fast and easy check-in and check-out, and more.

 ?? PHOTO: © ASIANA AIRLINES ?? Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants: Asiana Airlines
PHOTO: © ASIANA AIRLINES Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants: Asiana Airlines
 ?? PHOTO: © PATRICK PYSZKA/ CITY OF CHICAGO ?? Best Airport in North America: Chicago O’Hare Internatio­nal Airport
PHOTO: © PATRICK PYSZKA/ CITY OF CHICAGO Best Airport in North America: Chicago O’Hare Internatio­nal Airport
 ?? PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES ?? Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program: United MileagePlu­s
PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program: United MileagePlu­s
 ?? PHOTO: © BOARDING1N­OW | DREAMSTIME.COM ?? Best Airline in Central /South Asia & India: Air India
PHOTO: © BOARDING1N­OW | DREAMSTIME.COM Best Airline in Central /South Asia & India: Air India
 ?? PHOTO: © AIR CANADA ?? Best Airline in North America: Air Canada
PHOTO: © AIR CANADA Best Airline in North America: Air Canada
 ?? PHOTO: © CHINA AIRLINES ?? Best Airline in North Asia: China Airlines
PHOTO: © CHINA AIRLINES Best Airline in North Asia: China Airlines

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