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A celebration of the 15th annual GT Tested Reader Survey Awards
December 2018
from FXExpress Publications, Inc.
WELCOME TO THE 2018 GT TESTED READER SURVEY awards presentation. We’re excited to celebrate with you tonight as we commemorate the 15th anniversary of our awards, a true milestone! Thank you for joining us as we honor the winners, as voted by our readers. We also celebrate the handselected 2018 Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year, the 2018 Wines on the Wing winners and those winners achieving Quint and Crystal statuses. We couldn’t ask for a more beautiful venue, as for the eighth consecutive year The Peninsula Beverly Hills hosts our annual celebration. The luxurious property offers impeccable service, the very best accommodations, superb amenities and top-notch event facilities and staff. Each year we return, our staff feels as if they are coming to their home away from home on the West Coast. Thank you for being our host, and kudos to your 2018 win as Best Hotel in the United States. We’d like to take a moment tonight to thank this year’s event sponsors: The Ritz-Carlton, United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase and United Explorer Card from Chase, IHG Rewards Club, Ontario International Airport and United Airlines.
Also please join us in welcoming Terry Waite to tonight’s event. He joined us to celebrate our first and 10th GT Tested Reader Survey awards, and it’s an honor to have him here again to commemorate our 15th. You’ll hear more from him tonight. An inspiring speaker, Waite is a humanitarian and author and was kidnapped and held hostage in Lebanon from 1987 to 1991. Today, among other roles, he presides as the founder/president of Y Care International and president of Emmaus UK. As 2018 draws to a close, all of us at FXExpress Publications, Inc. celebrate another successful year, one in which we continued to grow, launching FX Excursions in May. We also debuted a complete redesign of trazeetravel.com in October. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for our suite of products — Global Traveler, globaltravelerusa.com, trazeetravel.com, whereverfamily.com and FX Excursions — in 2019. We look forward to continuing our journey with you; and as our first issue debuted in February 2004, we’ll raise a glass to our 15th anniversary this February. Thank you again for joining us tonight. Here’s to another year of success, travel and fun!
CARLY ALLEN
RICHARD EVANS
STEPHANIE
KATIE SKRZEK
executive vice
senior vice president
MAKOWSKI
vice president/
account executive
digital director
president/ associate publisher
TRACEY CULLEN
FRANCIS X.
CHRISTOPHER
TERRY WAITE
art director
GALLAGHER
OTTAUNICK
special guest
publisher and CEO
photographer
speaker
MARIE EDWARDS
KIMBERLY KROL
ANGELIQUE PLATAS
director of sales
editor in chief
assistant editor
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To the Top Global Traveler announces the 2018 Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year. BY ANGELIQUE PLATAS TOP HONORS:
Rosewood Sanya suite (top), and Delta Air Lines' Airbus A350-900 (bottom left) and Boeing 777 Delta One Suites (bottom right) PHOTOS: © ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS, © DELTA AIR LINES
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FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE year, Global Traveler honors the best of the best in naming 2018’s Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year. In today’s fast-paced world of ondemand services, instant gratification and
GT Tested Reader Survey Awards DECEMBER 2018
customizable everything, keeping up with the Joneses is no longer enough to stay on top; it’s a way to maintain. For those who want to pull ahead of the competition, in any industry, companies need a “wow” factor, something that leaves a lasting impression — especially in an industry where excellence has become an expectation. Delta Air Lines and Rosewood Hotels and Resorts easily exceed that expectation — so much so, they’ve earned top honors as GT’s 2018 Airline and Hotel of the Year. To award the prestigious honor, Global Traveler’s staff submitted nominations, and Advisory Board members chose the winners through a series of factors based on a culmination of diverse experiences and thorough research. Weighing the wide range of nominees’ financial data, loading and boarding times, safety records, current standing, onboard menus and overall image as a brand, earning this award is no small feat. In some instances, it’s how a brand responds to adversity, innovates when others get comfortable, moves the industry standard forward and leaves a positive community impact — all while consistently delivering a top product. Sound like a travel company you know?
DELTA AIR LINES AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2018
Born out of industrial progress, rural opportunity and necessity, Delta Air Lines began in 1924 as an aerial crop-dusting operation, Huff Daland Dusters, Incorporated. Founded on humble beginnings in Macon, Georgia, and focused primarily on agricultural business until the late 1920s, the top airline we know today once had only the Huff-Daland Duster to its name — one of the first bona fide crop dusters in the industry. Collett E. Woolman purchased the company in 1928, moved its headquarters, renamed it Delta Air Service and launched the first flight between Jackson, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas, carrying just five passengers and one pilot. Going beyond the rural fields of Georgia and with four founders, Delta Air Service was well on its way to becoming a full-fledged airline. As Delta experienced rapid growth, the company established a new headquarters in Atlanta in 1941, where the main hub remains today. While business continued to grow and technology advanced, Delta experienced a series of transitions, including airline mergers and acquisitions, leading to a new name: Delta Air Lines. After a few years of adding routes and building its reputation, Delta replaced its traditional propeller planes with jets in the 1960s, added international routes to Europe in the 1970s and, finally, cross-Pacific routes in the 1980s. Delta made headlines in late 2005 after filing for reorganization Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code but managed to come out the other side in 2007 — arguably better positioned to produce and compete in the industry than before. In April 2008 Delta Air Lines merged with Northwest Airlines. And produce it did, now boasting eight hubs across the country and around the world. Atlanta remains the largest in the operation, with that hub alone seeing 1,000 daily departures to 225 destinations. Today Delta Air Lines serves more than 180 million customers each year, serving 304 destinations in 52 countries on six continents, including alliance partner flights, while employing more than 80,000 dedicated staff worldwide. With an aircraft fleet of more than 800, the founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and its worldwide partners fly more than 15,000 flights daily. This year alone, Delta not only receives GT’s Airline of the Year honor but also ranks among Fortune’s Top 50 Most Admired Companies for the seventh time and as No.1 in Business Travel News’s annual Airline Survey. Delta experienced a lot of changes and forward momentum this year while maintaining the standard of business customers expect. Initiatives include working diligently on infrastructure upgrades to ease travel for passengers nationwide, elevating quality of travel for passengers with terminal renovations at LaGuardia Airport, and focusing on pet comfort and safety through Delta Cargo. It continues to work on security training to eradicate human trafficking, prepping to build Delta Sky Way in Los Angeles (LAX) and removing one-time-use plastic items
from Delta Air Lines completely. All this, and earning honors for customer experience — the sky seems to be the limit. One aspect of Delta’s operations as prevalent as its products, services and business: the people. Delta’s staff and corporate community essentially represent the heartbeat of the business. The culture surrounding Delta’s every move is deeply connected to the people behind the operation, from dedication to military veterans, community involvement and green initiatives to even the new uniforms. In collaboration with esteemed designer Zac Posen, new uniforms rolled out this year keep employees in mind — literally — basing functionality and style on feedback from them. Weaving through the ups and downs and innovating along the way clearly paid off for Delta. From a modest start to one of the top airlines in the business, history tells us Delta’s future glows as brightly as its trophy case.
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PERSONAL SERVICE:
Delta Air Lines' Boeing 777 Delta One Suites (top) and wine service (bottom)
PHOTOS: © DELTA AIR LINES
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ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2018
One of the world’s leading luxury hotel companies, Rosewood Hotel Group boasts four diverse brands, each with a distinct personality and purpose. Of all the brands — Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; Penta Hotels; New World Hotels & Resorts; and the newest, KHOS — Rosewood Hotels & Resorts sits at the helm of ultra-luxury and comfort. The esteemed Rosewood collection came about in 1979, steadily rising through the ranks in the luxury travel industry. In keeping with the brand’s tagline, “A Sense of Place,” each residential-style hotel exudes just that — place. Guests enjoy incredibly luxurious stays inspired by the destination’s rich history, culture and geographic landscape. Each space strives to immerse guests in the most
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comfortable, high-end and luxe version of the locale. In order to really shine in such a saturated industry as luxury accommodations, a brand needs an impressive team with impeccable attention to detail, and Rosewood has such a team. While consisting of industry veterans, all in tune with above-and-beyond hospitality practices, Rosewood earns its place among the best of the best. This year Rosewood announced hotel openings in dynamic, exciting locales, meeting the needs of travelers worldwide. With tourists interested more in authentic experiences, the new Rosewood Laung Praban in Laos seeks to immerse guests in the culture. The first luxury tent encampment arrived this spring, allowing guests to explore local Laotian culture — including the UNESCO Heritage site Luang Praband. The luxury property will also serve as the first philanthropic hospitality school to the brand. New properties in Bermuda and Nassau, Bahamas, also emerged, bringing upscale health and wellness treat-
SERENE STAYS: Rosewood Baha Mar king room (top left) and Lagoon Pool (top right), Rosewood Beijing entrance (bottom left), and Rosewood Bermuda lobby PHOTOS: © ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS
LEADER IN LUXURY:
Courtyard at the Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel (top left); the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi façade (top right); Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort exterior reception (bottom left); and a Rosewood Puebla suite PHOTOS:© ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS
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ments to each luxury spa, as well as high-end stays to California, China and Thailand. While new and renovated properties kept Rosewood Hotels & Resorts busy this year, that didn’t slow down the brand’s green initiative and environmental pledge: to value the planet’s resources and demonstrate environmental sensitivity. By vowing to conduct business in a sustainable, thoughtful and eco-friendly way, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts proves its mantra “Embrace A Sense of Place” is more than aspiration by respecting the natural habitats, history, ecological settings and diverse communities each resort inhabits. By revering the land, people and local way of life, Rosewood puts sustainability first and promotes education, appreciation and thoughtful ways to enjoy different areas of the world. Part of the brand’s daily proactive business model revolves around preserving clean air and water through its housekeeping,
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transportation and amenities, managing waste and recyclables according to a strict sustainable system — all while conserving energy and reducing waste. In leading by example, Rosewood properties effectively educate guests and the competition about efficient practices by promoting a better way of life for all. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy natural and organic food, beverages and energy-efficient appliances. While all the peace, love and happiness may be a bonus to the brand’s work ethic, the ultra-luxury stays don’t hurt, either. With a consistent level of eminence running through Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ long line of properties, guests expect a certain quality of service, pushing Rosewood to constantly maintain, improve and impress. Between its refined elegance, natural appreciation and focus on pristine hospitality, it’s easy to see how Rosewood Hotels & Resorts rose to the top of GT’s list, earning it Hotel of the Year.
ANNUAL SALE IHG Rewards Club wants to thank Global Traveler readers for voting us Best Frequent Stay Program.
As a special thank you, book now with savings of at least 20%* on thousands of IHG hotels. • Book now through January 7, 2019 • Stay at participating U.S. hotels between November 4, 2018 and March 31, 2019
www.ihg.com/annualsale
*The Annual Sale promotion is valid only for bookings made from November 1, 2018 through January 7, 2019, using the “IHG Annual Sale” rate. All bookings must be consumed from November 4, 2018 through March 31, 2019 at participating IHG® hotels. The discount is at least 20% off the Best Flexible Rate. Booking must be made at least three (3) days in advance and requires non-refundable, full pre-payment for the entire stay at the time of booking. Discount varies by hotel and blackout dates apply. Rooms are subject to availability and certain room types may be excluded. Hotel policy varies in regards to the minimum length of stay required and number of guests allowed per room. Not applicable with other discounted rate promotions. Not applicable to group bookings. Hotel-specific early departure fee applies. The Venetian® Las Vegas, the Palazzo® Las Vegas, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants and IHG® Army Hotels are excluded from the promotion. Valid on US properties only.
2018
AMERICAN AIRLINES
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific; Best Airline for Domestic First Class; Best Airline in North America; and Best Airline Website
Best Overall Airline in the World PHOTO: © SINGAPORE AIRLINES
PHOTO: © AMERICAN AIRLINES
AIRBUS 380
Best Aircraft Type PHOTO: © AIRBUS
TURKISH AIRLINES
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents and Best Airline for Business Class PHOTO: © TURKISH AIRLINES
Best and Brightest Global Traveler announces the winners of the 2018 GT Tested Reader Survey awards. Best Overall Airline in the World Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Website
Best Airline for International First Class
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
aa.com
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline Alliance
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
oneworld Best Aircraft Type
Airbus A380
American Airlines Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
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American Airlines Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines Best Airline Cuisine
Alitalia
2018
ALITALIA
Best Airline Cuisine and Best Business-Class Seat Design
PHOTO: © ALITALIA
AIR FRANCE
Best First-Class Seat Design PHOTO: © AIR FRANCE
AIR FRANCE
Best First-Class Seat Design PHOTO: © AIR FRANCE
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Best Airline in Africa
PHOTO: © SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS
Best Airline for Security
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
Best Airline in North America
Best Airline in Europe
EL AL Israel Airlines
United MileagePlus
American Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
Best First-Class Seat Design
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
Best Airline to South America
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold
LATAM Airlines Group
LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Mexico
Best Airline in Africa
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
Aeromexico
Air France Best Business-Class Seat Design
Alitalia Best Airline for New Service Launch
Hong Kong Airlines (SFO to HGK) Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
United MileagePlus
South African Airways
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand
Air Canada Aeroplan
Qantas
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
Best Airline in the South Pacific
American Airlines AAdvantage
Air Tahiti Nui
DECEMBER 2018
Best Airline in the Middle East
Emirates Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China)
EVA Air
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2018
HAINAN AIRLINES
BRUSSELS AIRLINES
PHOTO: © HAINAN AIRLINES
PHOTO: © BRUSSELS AIRLINES
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Best Airline in China
DUBAI DUTY FREE
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World and Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East PHOTO: © ANTONELLA865 - DREAMSTIME.COM
HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Best Airport in the Middle East
PHOTO: © HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT
Best Overall Airport in the World and Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia PHOTO: © CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP
Best Airline in China
Best Airport in North America
Best Airport in South America
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Hainan Airlines
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport
Dubai Duty Free
Best Airport in Asia
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Incheon International Airport
Turkish Airlines
Singapore Changi Airport
Best Airline to Japan
Best Airport in Africa
Best Airport Dining
Japan Airlines
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Air India
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Brussels Airlines
Best Airport in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Japan Airlines
Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport Best Overall Airport in the World
Singapore Changi Airport
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Best Airport Shopping
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East
Dubai Duty Free
2018
SIGNIEL SEOUL
Best Luxury Hotel in Asia PHOTO: © SIGNIEL SEOUL
LE MÉRIDIEN SEOUL
Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia PHOTO: © LE MÉRIDIEN SEOUL
LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL Best MICE Hotel and Best Hotel in South Korea PHOTO: © LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
Best International Hotel Chain
Best Hotel Club Floor
The Ritz-Carlton
Grand Hyatt Grand Club
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
Best Hotel Website
The Ritz-Carlton
peninsula.com
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia
Aloft Hotels Best MICE Hotel
Lotte Hotel Seoul
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Le Méridien Seoul Best Luxury Hotel in Asia
SIGNIEL Seoul GT Tested Reader Survey Awards DECEMBER 2018
THE PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS Best Hotel in the United States PHOTO: © PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
Hilton Honors
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas
Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite
Marriott Rewards
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Best Hotel in the United States
Marriott Rewards
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Thank you for taking us to new heights.
Your votes have made us Best Overall Airport in the World. It’s your warm presence and patronage that motivate us to continue to deliver our very best. Thank you for giving us yet another reason to smile every day. Rethink travel at changiairport.com
Departure Hall Terminal 3
2018
Best Hotel in Asia
BEST HOTEL IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
PHOTO: © BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH
Best Hotel in South Korea
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Lotte Hotel Seoul Best Hotel in the Middle East
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Best Hotel in Europe
Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
BEST CAR RENTAL COMPANY Hertz
PHOTO: © HERTZ
Fiesta Americana Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah International Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo Best Car Rental Company
Hertz Best Tourism Destination
Kenya Best MICE City
Seoul Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless Best Noise-Cancelling Headset
Sony Digital Noise-Cancelling Headphones MDR1000XM2 Wireless Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley
BEST HOTEL IN ASIA
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei PHOTO: © MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI
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W E LC O M E
H O M E
Experience the newly redesigned rooms, suites and villas complemented by residential comfort, contemporary furnishings and legendary Peninsula service.
9 8 8 2 S O U T H S A N TA M O N I C A B O U L E VA R D, B E V E R LY H I L L S , C A 9 0 212 , U S A
T E L : + 1 310 5 51 2 8 8 8
E-MAIL: PBH@PENINSULA.COM
H O N G KO N G • S H A N G H A I • B E I J I N G • TO K YO • N E W YO R K • C H I C A G O • B E V E R LY H I L L S • PA R I S • B A N G KO K • M A N I L A Under Development LO N D O N • I S TA N B U L • YA N G O N • peninsula.com
2018
AMERICAN AIRLINES Best Airline App
PHOTO: © AMERICAN AIRLINES
ALASKA AIRLINES VISA SIGNATURE CARD FROM BANK OF AMERICA Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card PHOTO: © ALASKA AIRLINES
CITI / AADVANTAGE PLATINUM SELECT WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits and Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
UNITED MILEAGEPLUS CLUB CARD FROM CHASE
Best Overall Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program PHOTO: © UNITED MILEAGEPLUS CLUB CARD FROM CHASE
PHOTO: © AMERICAN AIRLINES
Best Ride Share
Best Credit Card Special Events
Lyft
Inside Access from Chase
Best Hotel App
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Hotel Tonight Best Airline App
Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
Best Overall Credit Card
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Best Small-Business Credit Card
Hilton Honors Card from American Express
Chase Ink Cash Business Preferred Credit Card
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Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
American Airlines
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Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
GT Tested Reader Survey Awards DECEMBER 2018
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United Explorer Card from Chase Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
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LATAM
Best Airline to South America PHOTO: © LATAM
Enduring Excellence Global Traveler introduces the Quint Status inductees for 2018. BY ERICH MARTIN WHEN IT COMES TO MEASURING the best of the best, there are lots of selected, year over year, by the distinguished and well-traveled readers of this ways to go about it. Competitions can take many forms, but here at magazine. Global Traveler, we put the question to you, our readers. We welcome five organizations to Quint Status in 2018: LATAM QUIN Every year, Global Traveler conducts the GT Tested Reader Airlines Group (Best Airline to South America), Air India (Best Survey and celebrates the winners with an awards gala. In the Airline in Central/South Asia & India), Hartsfield-Jackson survey’s 15th year, a few select brands celebrate their naming in International Airport (Best Airport Dining), Hertz (Best Rental each of the previous ceremonies. Every year we recognize the Car Company), and Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World best of the best — those brands and companies that go above Elite MasterCard (Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card and beyond. And each year we honor a few organizations for Promotions). being at the top of their game for five consecutive years. These Up first is LATAM Airlines Group, gaining Quint Status as are the Quint Status inductees. the Best Airline to South America. The group comprises subsidiarBest Airline in Northies Asia To reach Quint Status, brands must evolve and grow with their all over the continent and offers transportation to 140 destinations in customers. These companies do not reach continued success and admiration 25 countries. The group flies more than 1,200 flights every day, transporting China Airlines through luck or happenstance. This year’s inductees to Quint Status have 67 million Fifth been Consecutive Year passengers each year. Before winning five straight years, LATAM
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2017
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AIR INDIA
Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Best Airport Dining
PHOTO: © MARK RODEL DELA ROSA - DREAMSTIME.COM
PHOTO: © HARTSFIELD JACKSON ATLANTA AIRPORT
HERTZ
Best Car Rental Company PHOTO: © HERTZ
CITI / AADVANTAGE PLATINUM SELECT WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions PHOTO: © AMERICAN AIRLINES
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profile guests, including Charles Lindbergh in 1927. The fourth company we welcome to Quint Status is Hertz, winning Best Rental Car Company five years running. A relatively new award category, Best Rental Car has only been up for consideration since 2013. National Car Rental took the top prize in the category’s inaugural year, but Hertz zipped to the top of the list and stayed there. When it comes to landing in a new and unfamiliar city, some people prefer to explore on their own, as opposed to taking public transportation, and require a reliable car rental company. Hertz makes an effort to give back to the communities where it operates through the Hertz Giving program and works toward sustainability with its Living Journey program. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard rounds out this year’s inductees with its win in the Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions category, taking the category since 2013. The card is great for frequent business travelers and features many benefits for cardholders, ranging from free checked bags and preferred boarding status on American Airlines flights to bonus miles and waived foreign transaction fees. Congratulations to the 2018 Quint Status inductees. In upcoming years, we fully expect these brands to continue evolving and topping the survey. The next stop for the winners? The way we see it, an induction to the GT Tested Reader Survey Awards Hall of Fame in 2023.
GT Tested Reader Survey Awards DECEMBER 2018
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won the category six times under the name of LAN Airlines before merging with TAM. Taking a trip to the Eastern Hemisphere brings us to Air India. The airline joins the club after being voted the winner of the Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India. This category entered the survey in 2007, when Jet Airways took the title. Air India earned the title for the first time in 2009 before sweeping 2014–2018 to receive Quint Status. Air India has a rich history dating back to 1932, when the airline provided mail and cargo service under the name Tata Sons. Throughout those 86 years, the airline grew to one of the biggest on the continent. Air India offers service to 37 international and 69 domestic destinations over four continents. Moving away from flights and toward the things to do once you arrive at the airport and await your flight, the winner of Best Airport Dining led the pack for five years. In 2018 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport took the top title for the fifth straight year. Before Atlanta burst onto the scene, Changi Airport dominated the category, winning consecutively 2010–2013. Throughout the entire campus, ATL features 168 eateries. The dining options range from Jamba Juice to Wolfgang Puck Express and everything in between. No matter which concourse and terminal you transit, you will have something great to grab in Atlanta. Atlanta is another winner with a storied history, stretching back to its founding in 1925 as Candler Field. In the intervening years, the airport hosted a number of high-
Best Airline in North Asia LATAM AIRLINES GROUP
China Airlines
Best Airline to South America
Fifth Consecutive AIR INDIA Year
2017
Best Airline in Central/ South Asia & India
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Best Airport Dining
HERTZ Best Rental Car Company
CITI / AADVANTAGE PLATINUM SELECT WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
More time for business.
Only Air India has non-stop service to India from New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For reservations, call your travel counselor or 1-800-223-7776. www.airindia.in
Fifth Conescutive Year
2018
We’re Honored. Our thanks to the readers of Global Traveler for choosing Air India as the “Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India” for the fifth consecutive year!
ASIANA AIRLINES
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants
Crystal Clear Global Traveler honors the inaugural Crystal Status winners. BY KATIE SKRZEK AS GLOBAL TRAVELER CELEBRATES the 15th year of the annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, we honor those brands representing continued excellence in the industry by holding record-breaking consecutive wins. Crystal Status winners reflect those brands winning a particular category for 15 consecutive years. In our 15th year of the awards, this elite group marks the first Crystal Status winners. “Winning Crystal Status in the GT Tested Reader Survey awards reader voting is the ultimate achievement of the best,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “Very few companies can achieve this consistency over a 15-year period.” Each year, our distinguished readers vote for the best in the world of travel, selecting the top airlines, credit cards, destinations, hotels and travel goods and services throughout the travel industry. This year, four travel
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Best Airport in North America
PHOTO: © CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION
PHOTO: © ASIANA AIRLINES
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CHICAGO O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
GT Tested Reader Survey Awards DECEMBER 2018
brands went above and beyond, securing their 15th consecutive-year wins. We introduce the inaugural Crystal Status winners: Asiana Airlines, United MileagePlus, South African Airways and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Asiana Airlines has two reasons to celebrate. The Asian carrier won both Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants 15 years in a row. The airline was established in 1988 on the principal of providing “maximum safety and customer satisfaction through service.” Asiana’s corporate philosophy is “to provide quick, comfortable service for customers at their desired time and place.” Given this ideology, it should come as no surprise readers voted the airline Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants for 15 consecutive years. The Asiana crew serves customers based on traditional Korean courtesy at every step of the journey. Travelers can expect high-end service like its luxurious First Suite cabin, complete with a full-flat bed and a two-door seat feature for maximum privacy. The airline provides specialized assistance, including Happy Mom Service for female passengers traveling with an infant from
ASIANA AIRLINES Best Airline for Onboard Service
ASIANA AIRLINES Best Airline for Flight Attendants
CHICAGO O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Best Airport in North America
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Best Airline in Africa
UNITED MILEAGEPLUS Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Best Airline in Africa
PHOTO: © SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS
UNITED MILEAGEPLUS
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program PHOTOS: © UNITED MILEAGEPLUS
seven days old through 3 years. However you fly with Asiana, you’re in good hands. Readers voted Chicago O’Hare International Airport the Best Airport in North America for the 15th consecutive year. The airport is one of the busiest in the United States. To keep up with growing air travel demands, O’Hare has expansion plans set to roll out over the next few years. The $8.5 million upgrade includes a new state-of-the-art baggage system, 25 percent more gate capacity, new self-serve check-in technologies and modernizing existing terminals. The airport was recently recognized as the best airport in the country for flight connectivity by OAG, an air travel intelligence company based in the United Kingdom. The excellent connectivity is expected to rise in the years ahead, thanks to the planned expansion. In May five new gates opened in Terminal 3’s L Concourse, marking the first major gate expansion in 25 years and the first step in the airport’s larger expansion program. Passengers will have more opportunities than ever for smooth connections and flight options. O’Hare is expected to serve about 100 million passengers annually by 2026. South African Airways was once again voted Best Airline in Africa. The national carrier of South Africa flies to more than 35 destinations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. The airline’s first flight launched in 1934, and 2019 will mark its 85th year in operation. In 2018 SAA encountered financial obstacles, with fear of having to declare bankruptcy. However, the resilient airline is showing strong
quarter one performance of this financial year and will not declare bankruptcy. SAA plans to implement initiatives to drive costs down and improve revenue with the goal of breaking even in 2021. In the face of adversity, the airline still boasts an impressive on-time performance ranking and looks to future improvements. United MileagePlus hangs on to its title of Best Overall FrequentFlyer Program for the 15th consecutive year. The loyalty program allows members to earn miles for daily purchases to use toward dining, experiences, trips and more. Use miles to purchase eGift cards from more than 270 merchants, fly domestic or international with United Airlines and its partners, and book stays at hotels and resorts worldwide. United offers co-branded credit cards to provide travelers with even more benefits and opportunities to earn miles, including the United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase and the United Explorer Card from Chase. With innovation in mind, the comprehensive program launched new opportunities for members. The free-to-download MileagePlus X app allows users to earn up to five miles for every dollar spent at more than 60,000 retail and restaurant locations throughout the United States. United offers additional benefits for members with Premier status, including bonus award miles, upgrades, priority travel services, fee waivers and discounts when flying Star Alliance member airlines. Congratulations to Asiana Airlines, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, South African Airways and United MileagePlus! Who will earn Crystal Status for 2019? Visit globaltravelerusa.com to vote for next year’s winners.
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TAP is launching a new era We received the first of 21 A330neos joining the TAP fleet. TAP is the first commercial airline in the world to fly the Airbus A330neo, a latest-generation aircraft with significant efficiency improvements, including the new Airspace by Airbus cabin offering the newest and most advanced in-flight experience for a more comfortable flight. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best service while doubling the number of customers in the next 10 years.
Chicago and Washington D.C. are TAP’s newest routes in North America. With service starting in June 2019, these two cities are the first to join the New York/JFK, Newark, Boston, Miami, and Toronto gateways in 2019, linking North America to 72 destinations in Europe and Africa. TAP Air Portugal, innovating since 1945.
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Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal Eighth Consecutive Year
2018
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feature
Wines on the Wing 2018
GT presents the winners of the 15th annual Wines on the Wing airline wine competition. BY EUNICE FRIED | PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK
THE PIERRE HOTEL OPENED IN 1930, a handsome, light-shaded building on the corner of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and East 61st Street with sweeping views of Central Park. Eighty-eight years later, it remains one of the city’s most elegant and luxurious hotels. With its reputation for excellent
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care and distinguished service, it attracted such guests over the years as Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent and Paul Newman. And it has been the hotel of choice for scenes in several movies and television programs. Today, managed by Taj Hotels, this landmark hotel remains an oasis in the city, offering not only white glove service to guests but also dynamic food and beverage service, from cocktails to afternoon tea to French-American fare in its Perrine restaurant. With its strong emphasis on high-quality service, fine food and wine and with its handsome space, the blue and white Wedgewood Room, The Pierre offered the ideal setting for Global Traveler’s 15th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition. To find the outstanding wines served on first-class and business-class international airline flights and, in a smaller category, wines served on first-class and business-class flights beginning and ending in North America, Global Traveler invited 23 judges, all wine professionals, to taste wines submitted by the airlines. The judges were served the wines blind, in numbered glasses and told only the general varietal they were tasting — Chenin Blanc or California Cabernet Sauvignon, for example. Seated in The Pierre’s Wedgewood Room, they swirled, sniffed, sipped and savored each wine. And then they
wrote their impressions. When their decisions were later evaluated, the airline whose wines added up to the highest score among first-class international service, winning Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing, was All Nippon Airways. A great honor, said Yutaka Ito, executive vice president, customer service and products services: “We have prepared a wide selection of fine wines from around the world to meet our customers’ needs and to complement our dishes. “And we are not confined by wine tradition. We are working to introduce new labels,” Mr. Ito added, “to give people a new wine experience. Our aim is to make ANA the best cellar in the skies.” And how are these wines chosen? By a committee of about 30 people led by esteemed chef/sommelier Olivier Poussier. In total, the public flying ANA enjoys approximately 50,000 bottles in first class and about 800,000 bottles in business class each year. Among airlines’ international business-class service, Delta Air Lines was the top scorer, awarded Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing — an achievement touted by Lisa Bauer, vice president
of onboard services. “We are proud to be the winner in this category. Our selection features a mix of recognizable brands and surprising selections from small, artisanal wineries. We take a seasonal approach, with a rotating wine menu to pair with our inflight meals.” Delta opens about 3 million bottles of wine each year, sourced from wineries in 15 countries across five continents chosen by Master Sommelier Andrea Robison, who tastes the wines both on the ground and in the air. She also teaches flight attendants about wine through the airline’s Sky Sommelier program. British Airways came in a close second among the top first-class airlines and was one of the top scorers in international business class. Its individual wines won a place among top first-class sparkling wines and white wines, as well as among international business-class top white wines, an accomplishment that pleased Colin Talbot, head of catering. “British Airways works with wineries worldwide to ensure our customers can experience the best in fine wines on board. Particular attention is paid to meet the standard required in a wine destined to be enjoyed at 36,000 feet. Constant tasting high in the sky as well as on the ground allows BA to ensure the perfect wine is DECEMBER 2018
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WINES ON THE WING WINNERS LIST Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing
All Nippon Airways Best International First-Class Champagne
All Nippon Airways Best International First-Class White Wine
EL AL Israel Airlines Best International First-Class Red Wine
American Airlines Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing
Delta Air Lines Best International Business-Class Champagne
American Airlines Best International Business-Class White Wine
Aeroflot Best International Business-Class Red Wine
United Airlines Best Airline Alliance Wines on the Wing
oneworld Best North American Wines on the Wing
American Airlines Best North American Sparkling Wine
JetBlue Best North American White Wine
American Airlines Best North American Red Wine
American Airlines
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paired with the perfect dish.” The airline serves 350,000 bottles of wine in first class each year and 1.3 million bottles in business class. American Airlines did well overall, placing third among the top international first-class airlines. It also scored well in first-class sparklers, top white wines and red wines and as first among the Top Five Champagnes International Business Class. Overall, between first and business class, it opens approximately 1.2 million bottles of wine a year. To choose those wines, Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and Intervine review about a thousand wines every year. And for the third consecutive year, American Airlines came in first among North American entries to win Best North American First Class/Business Class Wines on the Wing. It was followed by Delta in second place and
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United in third. All Nippon Airways submitted Krug Brut 2004, best of the Top Five Champagnes International First Class. In the Top Five Champagnes International Business Class, American Airlines’ Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne was the winner. The highest scorer in Top Five White Wines International First Class was Yatir Winery’s Viognier 2015, an Israeli wine submitted by EL AL Israel Airlines. Aeroflot won first place in Top Five White Wines Business Class with La Capra Chenin Blanc 2016 from South Africa. And American Airlines placed as Best North American White Wine with Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Vinzelles 2015. American Airlines had the highest-scoring wine among the Top Five International First-Class Red Wines with Valduero Reserva 2012 from Ribera del Duero,
Spain. In the Top Five International Business-Class Red Wines, United Airlines’ Les Gravières du Roy Sauvion 2016 placed first. And the top-scoring red among North American entries was California’s Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2014, Napa Valley, entered by American Airlines. Of the airlines taking part in this year’s competition, 17 are members of airline alliances. The alliance whose member airlines scored the highest average this year is oneworld, represented by American Airlines, British Airways and LATAM. Aristophanes has been quoted as saying, “Bring me a beaker of wine so that I may say something clever.” No beakers at our competition, but we did bring our judges many glasses of wine. And in return, in their appraisals of those wines, they said many clever things. Wine does that.
HOW WE JUDGE
To participate in Global Traveler’s competition, airlines throughout the world offering longhaul international first-class service and/or business-class service are invited to submit two white wines, two red wines and one Champagne or other sparkling wine currently on their wine lists, as well as the wine lists themselves. The same rules apply to our category of North American airlines that have first-class and/or business-class service. The wines are coded and divided into flights, or categories, according to their type. For example, all New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc submitted are served together, as are all California Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines are presented to judges in code-marked glasses. Judges are told only the type of wine and, when appropriate (vintage Champagne, for example), the year. If judges feel a wine is flawed, a reserve bottle is poured. Professional assistants pour the wines, and GT staff monitor the tasting. Each wine is judged on a modified Davis 20-point scale. The judges’ individual scores for each wine are added and averaged, and the averaged scores of an airline’s submissions are totaled. Individual wines with the highest scores and the airlines with the highest total scores win Wines on the Wing awards.
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15 Years of Celebration A snapshot of past GT Tested Reader Survey awards galas
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Our Year in Travel Global Traveler’s staffers explored the world in 2018.
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Global Traveler’s Globility Board Get to know the magazine’s hand-selected board of subscriber advisors and highly experienced world travelers. IN 2012 GLOBAL TRAVELER INTRODUCED ITS GLOBILITY BOARD, an elite group of globetrotters serving as a link between the magazine and our readers. Candidates were invited to apply for a position on the board, completing an application listing their general background, employment information and travel history. Over the past six years the group has gathered several times to discuss all things travel and Global Traveler. The board has grown and changed, but one thing remains the same: The priceless insight goes far beyond data we can garner from surveys or research, and the board is truly invaluable. Here’s a closer look at our esteemed members. David Barsotti is a 25-plusyear Mercedes-Benz and Audi dealership owner and operator. He’s had the opportunity to experience some of the best luxury travel around the world through business and personal travel. His four luxury automotive retail centers, including Mercedes-Benz of San Francisco, Mercedes-Benz of Oakland, Mercedes-Benz of Monterey and Audi Rocklin, are based in and around San Francisco, California. He lives with his wife, Tracy, and two children, Siena and Fargo, traveling 15 times per year and to his vacation home in The Resort at Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Over the last 40 years he’s traveled to 82 countries around the world. Recently returning from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa, he surpassed 1 billion miles on United Airlines. Frank Brightwell is the founder and director of Somos Amigos Medical Missions, a nonprofit organization that operates a primary care medical and dental facility in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. He is also an independent educational consultant specializing in college and university admissions, and he works with clients across the United States and abroad. Brightwell lives in Seattle with his partner, Mark, and together they enjoy traveling as often as schedules allow. An avid distance runner, Brightwell explores new cities by training and participating in running events. Sue Castorino is the president of The Speaking Specialists in Chicago, providing contemporary media training, issue management and speech coaching for nearly three decades. She founded the company following a distinguished career in broadcast journalism as a news anchor and on-air reporter at WBBM (CBS) Chicago.
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Today she works with executives and professionals at the highest levels in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. She also specializes in working with collegiate, professional and Olympic athletes and their coaches in those same areas. Castorino serves on the faculty at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Communication, where she teaches courses in public speaking and critical thinking, broadcast journalism, ethics and communication and issues in contemporary journalism and communication. She has traveled to all 50 states (most, multiple times) and a dozen countries and still sees every trip as an adventure. She is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Speech. Castorino is also a Million Miler with United Airlines and Lifetime Platinum Elite with Marriott International. Joseph Cestaro has traveled all his life and visited five of the seven continents. He appreciates and respects exceptional service and seeks this out when traveling. As CEO of Debt Reduction Services, a nonprofit credit counseling organization, and CEO of Budget Brokerage, a personal lines insurance business, he has extensive executive management skills. When not working or traveling, he resides in Saint James, New York, with his spouse, Mark, and their Airedale terrier, Apollo. Travel is his passion, and he’s always excited to visit any destination, large or small. Cestaro has served on the Garden City, Idaho, Library Board and also on the Boise Botanical Garden Board. Eric Chiang is a professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University and author of Economics: Principles for a Changing World, an economics textbook used at more than 150 universities. Chiang is an innovator in teaching pedagogy aimed at “flipping the classroom,” a
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learning approach that puts the student in the role of a teacher. Chiang travels the world to meet with instructors and students, logging more than 200 flight segments per year. He is a United Premier 1K and Million Miler member and a Delta Diamond Medallion and Million Miler member. Since 2012 Chiang has created an annual mini-documentary featuring economic concepts while traveling titled Around the World in 80 Hours. Iris Childress is a cloud computing engineer with Microsoft Corp. Prior to Microsoft, she held technical sales and delivery partner roles at Accenture, Nextel Communications and Loral Space Systems. Childress is a veteran and former officer in the United States Air Force, an active startup mentor, enjoys gardening and traveling the world and is a devoted Trekkie. Donna Childs is the author of Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Business (Wiley, 2002, second edition paperback, 2009). She is also the founder and chief executive of Prisere LLC, a social enterprise working on initiatives to reduce disaster risk and expand access to affordable commercial insurance for small enterprises. In 2007 the National Association of Women Business Owners named Childs its “Woman Business Owner of the Year.” Childs has traveled extensively, particularly through her work for the United Nations. Benjamin DeLee has lived in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. He enjoys cultural events like classical music and the opera. He also enjoys being outside — going to the beach, mountain biking and hiking. An avid traveler, DeLee believes travel is an essential part of broadening one’s horizons. He is an assistant professor at SUNY Cortland. Jim L. Elliott has traveled internationally for more than 40 years, working, living in and visiting more than 100 countries. He holds several credentials, including certified information system security professional. He has served on boards of several corporations and associations. His professional work is primarily within the telecommunications field; he enjoys traveling with his wife, Linda, for business and leisure and expects to continue traveling for many years. After all this travel via
land, sea and air, he and his wife still have a passion for travel and always look forward to the next trip. Elliott is a member of several international telecommunications groups and regularly attends meetings of many of these groups around the world. He holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in engineering and computer science from Oregon State University and Oklahoma State University. Douglas Guthrie retired in 2016 after 35 years in the medical diagnostic products industry. After extensive business travel during his career, Guthrie is now focused on personal and adventure travel. During the first two years of retirement, he has spent more than 16 months in Europe, Asia, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand and always has one to two future trips in planning stages. As a resident of Atlanta, much of his travel is with Delta Air Lines and its partners, and he has achieved Multimillion Miler status as well as similar status in several hotel programs. In addition to travel, skiing and cultural events are among Guthrie’s interests. Along with his partner, Guthrie expects to continue the same pace of travel, dividing downtime between Germany, Mexico and the United States. Mark Leininger has extensive experience in the planning and design of airport terminals. He worked on Terminal 4 for Delta Air Lines at New York (JFK) and previously worked on the Continental Global Gateway at Newark (EWR), the new T1 Terminal in Toronto (YYZ) and the international terminal at Boston (BOS). He is also involved in the Auckland International Airport Master Plan and the Moynihan Station project at the Farley Post Office in New York, the future home for Amtrak. Leininger has been quoted on terminal design in several publications and on his vintage airline collection in several travel and design publications. He is an enthusiastic senior architect specializing in airport design — this is due to a love of aviation and all things travel. When designing one of the most complex building types, he enjoys the process of articulating goals and securing buy-in, often with a myriad of competing users, airlines and agencies. Utilizing his outgoing personality, he leads the process, mentoring and motivating teammates for successful project delivery. Celeste Linhard is the director of sales West for TPI and a partner of TransOptions Messaging, Inc. Linhard travels domestically and internationally for work and leisure and has achieved United’s 1K and the
top levels with Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott. She is married; has three daughters; and loves travel, dining and spas. Tom Linhard is the president and founder of FaxCore, Inc., located in Denver, Colorado. Linhard has been a leader in the fax server industry since 1992 and has launched several successful companies within the industry. With offices in Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, (FaxCore Asia) and FaxCore resellers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Linhard flies more than 100,000 miles every year and is a 2 Million Miler with United Airlines. Linhard has been happily married for more than 25 years, has three daughters and is an avid skier. Eric Ludwig served 15-plus years as a vice president in JPMorgan Chase’s Global Network Services organization, responsible for managing a core network across six of the seven continents, which afforded him many domestic and international trips. In 2016 he relocated to Arizona and joined a faith-based nonprofit serving as a life coach to various relief workers and ministry partners around the world, getting the chance to observe firsthand the work they are doing to help others. When not traveling for work or ministry, he enjoys adventure travel with his family including diving, cycling, skydiving or simply enjoying a day on a faraway beach. He is trying to close the small gap between his age and the number of countries he has visited with a solid chance to do that over the next year. Robert G. Mason established Mason & Associates Sept. 1, 1987, in Menlo Park, California. Mason & Associates is an international executive search firm and since 2006 has been based in Charleston, South Carolina, with offices in Chicago and San Francisco serving clients in the pulp and paper, forest products, consumer products, food and ingredients, aerospace, financial services, specialty chemicals and health care industries. Clients include the Alzheimer’s Association; Apple; Boise Cascade Corp.; BP Chemicals; Cordant Technologies; Emeritus Corp.; Fluke Manufacturing Corp.; Kinko’s Inc.; Gaylord Container Corp.; General Electric Capital Corp.; Genstar Capital Corp.; International Paper Co.; Minnesota Power; Morton International; PACCAR, Inc.; DuPont Protein Technologies International; Ralston-Purina; Transamerica Corp.; University of Washington; Weyerhaeuser Co.; and Weyerhaeuser Canada. DECEMBER 2018
Jean-Christophe Murat started an import/export business in 2013, leading him to travel internationally about 75 percent of the time between opposite sides of the world, as the key growth area is the promotion of top-grade Argentinian beef to 5-star hotels and restaurants in the emerging markets of Asia. Florida is home, but an aisle seat or king-sized bed is where he lives. As a result, the perks of premium travel have become both a necessity and a reward to look forward to. Murat’s first insight into the travel industry came with a summer job as a flight attendant for Air France at the age of 18. Today, being a Globility Board member provides the extraordinary opportunity to exchange directly with representatives of the airline and hospitality industries and compare visions of how to continue to improve the travel experience. Matthew Provencher is the chief of sports surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves and associate professor of surgery at Harvard University. A native of Barrington, New Hampshire, Provencher travels extensively to teach shoulder, knee and sports surgery throughout the world and also to present his research findings in how to better solve problems associated with knee and shoulder joints. He has been recognized as one of the top 28 shoulder surgeons in the United States and enjoys skiing, hiking and rowing. Frank Reilly, a native San Diegan, is the president of Reilly Financial Advisors, an international wealth management RIA firm based in San Diego. Reilly’s international wealth management firm, with full-time offices in Prague, Czech Republic, and the Middle East, affords him the ability to travel to the Middle East, Europe and Asia to conduct business multiple times per year. When not traveling for business, Reilly travels both domestically and internationally with his wife and five children. His passion for travel and global immersion began as a young child: Reilly would watch his parents set off internationally multiple times per year, and he himself began traveling internationally in his early teens. Reilly’s travels now include 20-plus around-the-world and 45-plus intercontinental trips. Reilly’s motto: By the time your feet touch your native soil, you’d best have two more trips in the works!
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Mark Rizkowsky works for Debt Reduction Services, a nonprofit credit counseling organization based in Boise, Idaho. He is actually based in New York, giving him the opportunity to follow his passion for travel, which he does on a consistent basis with his spouse. He resides in Saint James, New York, where he is involved in the community and participates in a myriad of community committees. He spends most of his time with his spouse, Joe; daughter, Candace; and Airedale terrier, Apollo, his biggest pleasure in life. Mike Russo is a registered nurse with Centura Health and a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force. He has a master’s in aerospace science and enjoys traveling to destinations throughout the world. Russo has achieved Diamond or Platinum status with Delta Air Lines (and previously Northwest) every year since 1997 and Spire or Platinum status with InterContinental Hotels Group every year since 1997 as well. After nearly 40 years of federal service, Marvin Singer retired as senior advisor in the Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences in June 2012. During his career, Singer held senior-level positions at the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Department of Energy. His work focused on fossil energy research, energy and science R&D and the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of energy development. Singer was privileged to travel often, both domestically and internationally. He served as the head of numerous U.S. international delegations and participated regularly in meetings with individual governments and international organizations, including the Paris-based International Energy Agency and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. He is a Million Miler with United Airlines. Singer and his wife particularly enjoy traveling to warm destinations during winter in Washington, D.C. They are looking forward to travel this winter in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Singapore. You might meet him at Washington Dulles International Airport, where he volunteers with Travelers Aid.
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Theresa Staskus is the director of reimbursement for Therigy, which provides consulting services to health care organizations. Staskus has traveled for business over the past 10-plus years. In her personal life, she vacations regularly with family and is interested in visiting many new places. She plans travel around sporting events to see her favorite teams play and is an avid sports fan. Paula Vogel recently retired after a career with international project management, accounting and product management experience in such diverse industries as food processing, heavy equipment manufacturing and retail operations. Today her travels are mostly for pleasure and for some volunteer board activities with a variety of nonprofits. She studied at the United Nations in New York City through the University of Wisconsin and at Stanford University’s Graduate School for business marketing management. Vogel holds a bachelor of arts special studies degree in international relations from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and a master’s in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Leland (Lee) Weinstein served as president of Syscom Services, Inc., a technology consulting and integration firm, since 1997. Previously, he spent 13 years with Automated Digital Systems, an integrator of duplication and fax technologies, which he sold to Alco Standard Corp., which became Ikon Office Solutions. His current title is CEO, NewbridgeTuring. Weinstein has been appointed to advisory councils for Xerox, Intel/Dialogic, Sharp Electronics, Opentext/Rightfax, Autonomy/Cardiff, Murata Business Systems, Brooktrout Technologies and Panasonic Electronics and was chairman of the technology council of the American Society of Association Executives. He was formerly a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Maryland Alumni Association and is involved in numerous charities. As a frequent traveler for both business and pleasure, Weinstein has reached Diamond status at Hilton, Marriott Platinum status and United Airlines Million Miler and 1K levels.
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Angela Rose White is president of DaBet Music Services. White has a passion for travel and an understanding of what it is like to travel for business, for pleasure, with family and, most importantly, alone. She has traveled all her life. She is an attorney and travels to speak, participate in conferences and to meet with business contacts and clients. Steven White was born, raised and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of Southern California and has been married for more than 30 years, with two children. White has been successful in the marketing and sales world in the consumer electronics and housewares industries. White is presently consulting with manufacturers in the housewares industry. Besides family, business and travel, he also plays golf and has enjoyed playing all over the world. Dorothy Wood is the president emeritus of JD&W Inc. Active in the community, she serves as an economic development commissioner for Virginia’s largest city. She chairs the Advisory Board of the Coalition of Hearing and Balance from the Otolaryngology Department of Eastern Virginia Medical School. She has represented the State of Virginia as Chair of the State Board of Contractors as well as other State of Virginia boards. She is the chair of the Virginia Beach Economic Development Authority, a board member of the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, member of the Military Economic Development Authority and board member of Growth Smart. She is the former First Citizen of Virginia Beach and was honored by the Salvation Army with the Evangeline Booth Award in memory of its founder. She received the Inside Business Women in Business Award, the YWCA Women’s Award and the Outstanding Women in Business Award from Virginia Lawyers Weekly, in addition to many others.
Global Traveler’s Advisory Board Get to know the magazine’s trusted board of industry advisors. FXEXPRESS PUBLICATIONS, INC.’S ADVISORY BOARD COMPRISES well-traveled executives from around the United States. Along with the company’s publisher and CEO, Francis X. Gallagher, the Advisory Board meets regularly to discuss the state of the business and to select the annual Airline and Hotel of the Year.
Michael Donahue, Chairman Michael Donahue has 25-plus years’ experience in sales and business development across multiple industries, including technology, publishing, e-commerce and education. Education: He holds a bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and earned his master’s degree at Ashland University. Family/Interests: Donahue and his wife, Janis, have two children, Michael and Jessica. During his free time, he enjoys a round of golf, traveling and spending time with family. Favorite City: Hamilton, Bermuda Michael Kiely, Chief Operating Officer Michael Kiely is a retired supervisor of media research at MSI in New York City. Kiely was in the media and marketing business for 30 years. Education: Born and raised in New York City, he attended Fordham University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing. Family/Interests: He resides in Throgs Neck, New York, with his wife, Maryellen. In his spare time he enjoys classic movies, reading biographies, fine dining, historic travel, old-time rock-and-roll and tooling around town in his Mustang. Favorite City: New York City Carlos Cappuccio, President Carlos Cappuccio is an entrepreneur in the medical leasing field, providing competitive quotes, reviewing tax returns and providing documentation to complete transactions for doctors’ leasing of major medical equipment. He began his career with the CIT Group and was quickly promoted to a senior management position for its leasing division. His fluency in both Spanish and Italian provides him with a competitive edge in the marketplace. Education: Cappuccio was born in Caracas, Venezuela, to Italian parents. He studied in both Venezuela and Italy before coming to the United States. He graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in management and finance. Family/Interests: He resides in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, with his wife and two children. He enjoys travel; fishing; spending time in Ocean City, New Jersey; and following Philadelphia sports. Favorite City: Taormina, Italy
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Gary Oswald, Executive Vice President Gary Oswald is a marketing consultant in Ivyland, Pennsylvania. Oswald has more than 40 years’ experience as an executive in sales and marketing management. His areas of concentration are in the electrical and electronics industry. Oswald founded and subsequently sold a successful software company specializing in medical patient registration. Education: He is a graduate of Drexel University College of Business Administration. Family/Interests: Oswald married his college sweetheart, Eleanor, and has two children, Jackie and Alex. He is a PADI-certified rescue diver and an Eagle Scout. His interests include administrative positions in amateur baseball and the Boy Scouts of America. An avid traveler, Oswald fancies himself a cruise expert and is always open to the next travel adventure. Favorite City: Bruges, Belgium Edward Jefferson, Deputy Vice President, Aviation Edward P. Jefferson practices law as a senior attorney for the City of Philadelphia. He serves as counselor to various city departments and officials. Formerly, he was an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. Education: Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jefferson graduated magna cum laude from Saint Joseph’s University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and obtained his juris doctor degree from Temple University. Family/Interests: Married to Jeanette Katherine Jefferson, he has two adult children, Kaitlyn Marie and E. Bryan Jefferson. He spends his leisure time counseling first-time juvenile offenders, playing golf and tennis, restoring antique furniture and traveling. Favorite City: Cairo, Egypt Stephen Doherty, Deputy Vice President, Accommodations Stephen Doherty is director of sales for Geoffrey Allen Footwear. He is responsible for product development, marketing and sales. He serves on the committee for brand acquisition. In his role at GAF, Doherty covers the United States and Canada. He travels to Europe to attend international trade shows and shop markets for trends. Family/Interests: Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Doherty is married and has five children. In his free time he enjoys skydiving, scuba diving, skiing, riding his motorcycle and traveling. Favorite City: Paris, France
Wayne Tallman, Deputy Director, Destinations Wayne G. Tallman is a senior account director at RR Donnelley. Tallman has 36 years of experience with RRD, having advanced through the ranks, presently handling large government contracts. Education: Born and raised in Hamburg, New York, Tallman attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management and administration. Family/Interests: He is married and has three children: Casey, Samantha and Jeffrey. In his free time he runs races from 5Ks to half-marathons and plays golf, reads and travels. Favorite City: Rome, Italy Christopher Ottaunick, Vice President, Special Events and Photography Christopher Ottaunick is a seasoned freelance photographer specializing in celebrity, fashion and travel photography. He is also the staff photographer for FXExpress Publications, Inc. He began his career working for Sony with renowned photographer Francesco Scavullo before branching out on his own. Education: Born in New Jersey, Ottaunick graduated from Rutgers University. Family/Interests: Ottaunick and his wife, Carmel, have two children, John and Kelly, and reside on Long Island, New York. He is an avid golfer and enjoys travel. Favorite City: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Mark Lane, Secretary Mark Lane is a former advertising executive at Saatchi & Saatchi, Wells Rich Greene and Cox Media. He is currently a director of Perfect LIMO, Inc., and a member of the Extensis Group. Education: He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and master’s of business administration degree from the University of Texas. Interests: Travel, golf and performing arts Favorite City: Gaiole in Chianti, Italy; San Pedro, Belize Frank LoVerme, Director of Technology Frank LoVerme is both the senior vice president of business development and a board member of MyPlace Inc., a network-based platform using quick-response barcodes to bridge traditional retailers and the digital world. He has an extensive sales and marketing background, including 22 years at CBS and Time Warner. His company represented numerous magazines, including American Express Publishing, Condé Nast and Hearst magazines, Scientific American and Woman’s Day. Education: Born in the United Kingdom, raised in New York and living in Los Angeles for the past 40 years, LoVerme attended Union College
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GT Tested Reader Survey Awards DECEMBER 2018
in Schenectady, New York, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He later earned a master’s of business in management at Pepperdine University. Interests: Frank is an avid golfer and world traveler. Favorite City: Bangkok, Thailand Robert Hancock, Director of Technology Robert Hancock retired as executive managing director and chief operating officer for Sands Capital Management, which advises global institutions including profit sharing plans, mutual funds, foundations and sovereign wealth funds. Hancock has more than 35 years of experience in various senior roles in the asset management industry, working for 1838 Investment Advisers, Wilmington Trust Co., Legg Mason, PNCBank and the Vanguard Group. Education: Hancock holds an MBA in finance and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Family/Interests: Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Bob and his wife, Betsy, have three children: Sarah, David and Allison. His interests include family vacations, golf, travel, surf fishing on the Outer Banks, reading and fine dining. Favorite City: Venice, Italy Jared Torgan, Director of Digital Advancement Jared Torgan is executive vice president at Falcone & Associates, a consulting and third-party administration firm helping small businesses with the design, operation and compliance of their retirement plans. Torgan is an expert in 401(k) and defined benefit plans. Education: He received a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in computer engineering. Family/Interests: He resides in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, with his wife and three daughters. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, ice hockey, skiing and spending time with his family. Favorite City: Florence, Italy