Brtish Airways reclaims Best Airline title at Business Travel Awards

British Airways wrested back the title of Best Airline at this year’s Business Traveller Awards announced at the London Hilton on Park Lane hotel on September 21st. The airline, which held on to the title from 1994 until 2007, relinquished the top spot to Singapore Airlines last year.

The Business Travel Awards, established by the publishers of the magazine in conjunction with Panacea Publishing International, have been presented for over a quarter of a century. American Express and Global Hotel Alliance co-sponsor the annual awards.

The awards are voted for by readers of the Business Travel magazine. In addition to Best Airline, British Airways also snapped up the Best Short Haul Carrier and Best Frequent Flyer Programme titles. Singapore Airlines did not go away empty handed- it received a total of five awards including Best Business Class, Best Economy Class, Best Cabin Staff and Best Long Haul Airline. Emirates won the Best First Class award.

The Best Low-Cost Airline title was won by easyJet, while Virgin Atlantic took the Best Premium Economy title.

Singapore’s Changi Airport retained the Best Airport in the World title. Heathrow was pronounced the Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping. Among the car hire companies, Hertz trumped Avis to claim the Best Car Rental Company Worldwide title this year.

Among the hospitality winners, the Best Business Hotel Chain Worldwide title was won by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Marriott retained the Best Business Hotel Chain in North America, while the Best Business Hotel Chain in the UK and Europe went to the Hilton group.

Jumeirah held on to the Best Business Hotel Chain in the Middle East title for the fifth year running. Shangri-La hotels have won the Asia Pacific chapter of the award for 14 straight years, and this year took the number up to 15.