Singapore Airlines wins best airline, Ritz Carlton best hotel chain, British Airways best business class—just some of the result of the Business Traveler Awards.Business Traveler magazine in the U.S. has published the results of its travel poll.

The 17th annual Business Traveler Awards can be found in the December/January issue.

The Business Traveler Awards showcase what the magazine’s readers believe are the highest standards of excellence and cover all sectors of the global business travel industry.

This year featured 39 coveted awards in categories from “Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Program” and “Economy Hotel Chain Best for Business Travel” to “Credit Card with the Best Rewards Program” and “Best Mobile Phone Service Provider in the World.”

A sampling of Business Traveler’s readers from the continental U.S. voted for their favorite travel destinations, airlines, hotels and other travel companies around the world.

A sampling of Business Traveler’s 60,000 subscribers voted from a 39-question survey.

Among the 39 elite winners are Singapore Airlines, which was named “Best Overall Airline” for the 17th year in a row, and United Airlines won for “Best Airline for North American Travel”.

Readers loved the new $19,250 Hastens beds found in some of the luxury suites at the Peninsula Chicago and named it “Best Individual Hotel for Business Travel”. Denver International Airport impressively took away the award for “Best Airport in North America”.

The 2005 Business Traveler Awards winners are:

—Best Overall Airline in the World: Singapore Airlines

—Best Airline for North American Travel: United Airlines

—Best Airline for International Travel: Singapore Airlines

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service: British Airways

—Airline with the Best First Class Service: Singapore Airlines

—Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class Service: Virgin Atlantic Airways

—Airline with the Best Economy Class Service: Singapore Airlines

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to Mexico/Latin America: American Airlines

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to Europe: Lufthansa Airlines

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to Asia: Singapore Airlines

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to South Pacific: Air New Zealand

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to the Nordic Countries: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to Eastern Europe: Lufthansa Airlines

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to Africa: South African Airways

—Airline with the Best Business Class Service to Middle East: Emirates Airlines

—Airline with the Best Airport Lounge: British Airways Executive Club

—Best Low-Cost Carrier: Jet Blue Airways

—Best Airport in the World: Singapore Changi Airport

—Best Airport in North America: Denver International Airport

—Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Program: United Airlines

—Best Airline Alliance: Star Alliance

—Best Hotel Chain in the World: Ritz Carlton

—Best Hotel Chain in North America: Marriott

—Best Luxury Hotel Chain in the World: Four Seasons

—Best First Class Hotel Chain for Business Travel: Hilton

—Best Individual Hotel for Business Travel: Peninsula, Chicago

—Economy Hotel Chain Best for Business Travel: Hampton Inn

—Best Hotel Rewards Program: Marriott

—Best Website for Booking Travel: Orbitz

—Best Airline Website: American Airlines

—Best Hotel Website: Starwood

—Best Credit Card: American Express

—Credit Card with the Best Rewards Program: American Express

—Best Car Rental Company in the World: Hertz

—Best Overall Luggage Brand: Tumi

—Best Carry-on Luggage Brand: Tumi

—Best Mobile Phone Service Provider in North America: Verizon Wireless

—Best Mobile Phone Service Provider in the World: Cingular

—Best Private Jet Provider: Marquis

“Our readers are the ‘uber-business travelers’ who spent an average of 49 nights in hotels last year and are passionate about business travel. These are the business travel experts who are most excited to speak up when it’s time to name the best, and they have spoken,” stated Craig Pavia, group publisher.

“Since Frank Publishing took on Business Traveler in 2005, we’ve recognized that our readers represent a tremendously influential group, and we’re investing heavily to deliver a magazine they truly deserve, one which is even more of a tool to make global business travel easier, better and more productive.”
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