Business Travellers Have Voted
Business Traveller magazine has announced its winners for the 2016 travel season. For the past 30 years, readers of the magazine have voted for their favorites airlines, hotels, airport lounges and frequent flyer programs around the world.
Here’s who dominated the business travel industry in 2016.
Singapore crushes the competition
Singapore swept the awards once again this year with multiple honors in different categories, including airline, airport and hotel.
 | Singapore Airlines was named Best Airline, Best Asian Airline, Best Cabin Staff, Best Economy Class and Best Long-Haul Airline. |
| Shangri-La Singapore was named the Best Business Hotel Worldwide, in addition to being named the Best Business Hotel Chain in Asia-Pacific. |
| Changi airport in Singapore was honored with the Best Airport in the World award – an honor it’s received every single year since 1987. |
The U.K. sweeps North America and Europe
British airlines, airports and hotels received top honors above European and North American competition, with British Airways snapping up 3 first place awards.
| British Airways received first prize for the Best Airport Lounge (for London Heathrow’s Concorde Room), Best Frequent Flyer Program and Best Short-Haul carrier. The airline also received third prize in the Best First Class category. |
| InterContinental was named Best Business Hotel Chain Worldwide, adding to last year’s London-based victory at the InterContinental London Park Lane. |
| Hilton hotels received top honors as the Best Business Hotel Chain in the UK. |
| London Heathrow was awarded first prize as the Best Airport for Tax-Free Shopping. |
The Middle East leads the travel industry
Middle Eastern carriers and hotels continued a strong showing in 2016, with Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad airlines making a strong showing across multiple award categories.
| Emirates was named Best First Class and placed in the top 5 or higher in the following categories: Best Airline, Best Long-Haul Airline and Best Business Class. |
| Qatar Airways was named Best Business Class, placed 4th for Best Airline, and placed 3rd for Best Long-Haul Airline. |
| Etihad made a strong showing, placing 4th for Best First Class and 3rd for Best Middle Eastern Airline. |
| Dubai’s Jumeirah Emirates Towers was named Best Middle East Hotel, while the Jumeirah Hotel & Resorts picked up Best Business Hotel Chain for the 12th year in a row. |
Notable upsets
Most of the 2016 business traveller awards went to well-known airlines, hotel chains, and airports. But a few unexpected contenders walked away with top travel honors this year:
| Hilton Prague received the award for Best Hotel Loyalty Scheme. |
| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was named the Best Airport in Europe. |
| Low-cost carrier JetBlue ranked 3rd for Best North American Airline, giving more established airlines like Delta and American a run for their money. |
All awards were calculated based on reader’s votes and independently verified by a third party auditing company. The awards were presented to the winners by the publishers of Business Traveller at the Royal Garden Hotel in London in October, 2016.
Who gets your vote for the best airline, best business lounge or best hotel? Let us know in the comments below!
