Singapore, Emirates, British, Qatar, Cathay are world’s best airlines

Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific are the world’s top airlines as per readers of the Business Traveller magazine. The awards are widely recognised within the airline industry and accepted by frequent travellers as a benchmark for excellence.

Star Alliance member Singapore Airlines won five awards. It was recognised as the best airline in the world, and it retained its titles for best economy class, best long-haul airline, and the best cabin staff.

Oneworld member Qatar Airways retained its title of best business class and was best Middle Eastern airline. Dubai based Emirates airline with its on-board showers, was awarded best first class. Richard Branson promoted Virgin Atlantic had the best premium economy class. Easyjet was recognised as the best low-cost airline. British Airways retained its titles for best short-haul airline, best frequent flyer programme and best airport lounge, for its Concorde Room at London Heathrow airport terminal 5.

Singapore’s Changi airport was awarded as the best airport in the world for a staggering 29th year in a row.

Oneworld was named as the best airline alliance.

Regionally American Airlines was accorded best North American airline, South African Airways the best African airline and LOT Polish Airlines best Eastern European airline.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts was awarded the best business hotel chain worldwide. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts retained the best luxury hotel chain award. The most coveted award in the hotel category, that of best business hotel worldwide, was won by the Shangri-La Singapore. Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces won the award for best business hotel chain in India.

Business Traveller Awards 2016 full results

AIRLINES

Best Airline

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Emirates
  3. British Airways
  4. Qatar Airways
  5. Cathay Pacific

Best Short-Haul Carrier

  1. British Airways
  2. Aegean Airlines
  3. Swiss
  4. easyJet

Best Long-Haul Airline

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Cathay Pacific
  3. Qatar Airways
  4. Emirates

Best First Class

  1. Emirates
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. British Airways
  4. Etihad Airways

Best Business Class

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Cathay Pacific
  4. Emirates
  5. Virgin Atlantic

Best Premium Economy Class

  1. Virgin Atlantic
  2. Qantas
  3. British Airways
  4. Air New Zealand

Best Economy Class

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Emirates
  3. Japan Airlines
  4. Cathay Pacific

Best African Airline

  1. South African Airways
  2. Ethiopian Airlines
  3. Kenya Airways
  4. Comair (British Airways)

Best Asian Airline

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Cathay Pacific
  3. Japan Airlines
  4. Thai Airways

Best Eastern European Airline

  1. LOT Polish Airlines
  2. Wizz Air
  3. Aeroflot
  4. Czech Airlines

Best Middle Eastern Airline

  1. Qatar Airways
  2. Emirates
  3. Etihad Airways
  4. El Al

Best North American Airline

  1. American Airlines
  2. Delta Air Lines
  3. JetBlue
  4. Air Canada

Best Low-Cost Airline

  1. easyJet
  2. AirAsia
  3. Norwegian
  4. JetBlue

Best Cabin Staff

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Cathay Pacific
  3. Virgin Atlantic
  4. British Airways

Best Frequent Flyer Programme

  1. British Airways Executive Club
  2. Lufthansa Miles & More
  3. American Airlines AAdvantage
  4. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Best Airline Alliance

  1. oneworld
  2. Star Alliance
  3. SkyTeam

HOTELS       

Best Business Hotel Chain Worldwide

  1. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  2. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
  3. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
  4. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  5. Marriott Hotels

Best Business Hotel Chain in the UK

  1. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  3. Marriott Hotels
  4. Premier Inn

Best Business Hotel Chain in Europe

  1. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  3. Sofitel
  4. Kempinski

Best Business Hotel Chain in the Middle East

  1. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
  2. Rotana Hotels & Resorts
  3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  4. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Best Business Hotel Chain in Asia-Pacific

  1. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
  2. Mandarin Oriental
  3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  4. The Peninsula Hotels

Best Business Hotel Chain in India

  1. Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces
  2. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
  3. The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts

Best Business Hotel Chain in North America

  1. Marriott Hotels
  2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  3. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
  4. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

Best Business Hotel Worldwide

  1. Shangri-La Singapore
  2. The Peninsula Hong Kong
  3. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
  4. Shangri-La Bangkok

Best Business Hotel in the UK

  1. InterContinental London Park Lane
  2. Claridge’s, London
  3. The Dorchester, London
  4. The Langham, London

Best Business Hotel in Eastern Europe

  1. Hilton Prague
  2. Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest
  3. Hilton Budapest
  4. Four Seasons Prague

Best Business Hotel in Western Europe

  1. Four Seasons George V, Paris
  2. InterContinental Paris Le Grand
  3. Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
  4. Hilton Amsterdam

Best Business Hotel in the Middle East

  1. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai
  2. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai
  3. Grand Hyatt Dubai
  4. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific

  1. The Peninsula Hong Kong
  2. Shangri-La Singapore
  3. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
  4. Shangri-La Bangkok

Best Business Hotel in North America

  1. Four Seasons New York
  2. The Peninsula Chicago
  3. Mandarin Oriental Miami
  4. The St Regis New York

Best Luxury Hotel Chain

  1. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
  2. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
  3. The Peninsula Hotels
  4. Mandarin Oriental

Best Budget Hotel Chain

  1. Premier Inn
  2. ibis
  3. Hampton by Hilton
  4. Holiday Inn Express

Best Smaller Hotel Chain

  1. Hotel du Vin
  2. Malmaison
  3. The Peninsula Hotels
  4. Red Carnation

Best Airport Hotel

  1. Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong
  2. Sofitel London Heathrow
  3. Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
  4. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore

Best Hotel Loyalty Scheme

  1. Hilton HHonors
  2. IHG Rewards Club
  3. Starwood Preferred Guest
  4. Marriott Rewards

Best Serviced Apartment Company

  1. Ascott The Residence
  2. Citadines Apart’hotel
  3. Frasers Hospitality
  4. Staybridge Suites

AIRPORTS

Best Airport in the World

  1. Singapore Changi Airport
  2. London Heathrow Airport
  3. Hong Kong International Airport
  4. Hamad International Airport, Doha
  5. Dubai International Airport

Best Airport in Europe

  1. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
  2. London Heathrow Airport
  3. Munich Airport
  4. Zurich Airport

Best Airport for Tax-Free Shopping

  1. London Heathrow Airport
  2. Singapore Changi Airport
  3. Dubai International Airport
  4. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Best Airport Lounge

  1. British Airways Concorde Room, London Heathrow
  2. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, London Heathrow
  3. Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge, Doha
  4. Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class, Hong Kong

SURFACE TRAVEL

Best Car Rental Company Worldwide

  1. Avis
  2. Hertz
  3. Sixt
  4. Europcar

Best Car Rental Company in Europe

  1. Avis
  2. Hertz
  3. Europcar
  4. Sixt

Best Car Rental Company in North America

  1. Hertz
  2. Avis
  3. Alamo
  4. Sixt

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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