British Airways is best, say U.S. business travelers

British Airways is the best airline in the world, according to a comprehensive survey of 13,653 business travelers who each make an average 39 round-trips per year.

Voted the best Business-Class carrier in the previous two surveys, the British flag carrier's new Club World experience proved a hit with readers of Global Traveler this year, elevating the airline to the top spot overall in the magazine's annual poll.

American Airlines offers the leading First-Class facilities in the domestic arena, according to the frequent fliers surveyed, though Emirates' private leather suites, Dine and Fly program, and on-board entertainment see the Dubai carrier remain number one worldwide for First Class.

Nigel Page, Emirates' Senior Vice-President of Commercial Operations, described the achievement as remarkable, considering the airline has only been flying to and from the U.S. since June 2004.

Regular fliers consider Asiana Airlines to have the best flight attendants and on-board services, however. Continental Airlines' President Club scooped the award for the leading airport lounges, and Korean Air was voted the best with cargo.

"Our readers are the opinion leaders of business and luxury travel," said Francis Gallagher, Publisher and Chief Executive of Global Traveler magazine.

"Since we have access to such an important group of individuals, we created our annual survey to determine the preferences of the most experienced travelers around."

U.S. passengers prefer Qatar Airways when traveling to the Middle East, LAN in South and Central America, Air France when crossing the Atlantic, Thai Airways International for trans-Pacific flights, and Qantas for journeys in the South Pacific.

Air Canada is not only the best carrier in Canada this year, but also the best in North America, voters said.

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