United Airlines, Hilton, American Airlines, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Hertz, Kempinski, and Four Seasons Named Winners of the 2018 GlobeRunner Awards

United Airlines, Hilton, American Airlines, Air Canada Virgin Atlantic Airways, Hertz, Kempinski, Four Seasons, oneworld, Lufthansa, and Volvo have been named best in class by the editors of Frequent Business Traveler.

The results of this year’s awards, recognizing the world’s top airlines, hotel groups, car rental agencies, and automobiles, were announced on Wednesday by Jonathan Spira, Frequent Business Traveler’s editorial director, at the magazine’s offices in New York City.

In lieu of holding an awards ceremony, Accura Media Group, Frequent Business Traveler’s parent company, is making a donation to the PKD Foundation, an organization dedicated to discovering treatments and a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease, in memory of its co-founder, Greg Spira, and is encouraging FBT readers as well as GlobeRunner Award recipients to do the same.

Hilton was named Best Hotel in the Americas, while Kempinski Hotels was recognized for Best Hotel in Europe/Africa/Asia/Pacific.

Hilton was also recognized for having the Best Guest Loyalty Program, while Four Seasons won for Best Hotel Dining Experience.

In a tie, Air Canada and United were both named Best Airline in the Americas, while Virgin Atlantic Airways was recognized as Best Airline in Europe/Africa/Asia/Pacific.

For Best Airline Lounge in the Americas, Air Canada and United were both recognized, specifically for United’s Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and for Air Canada’s Signature Suite lounge in Toronto. Lufthansa was recognized for its First Class Lounge in Frankfurt for Best Airline Lounge in Europe/Africa/Asia/Pacific.

The award for Best Airline Alliance was given to the oneworld alliance, while the award for Best Frequent Flyer Program went to American Airline’s AAdvantage program.

Hertz, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, was named Best Rental Car Chain in the World for the fifth time, while Best Airport in the World went to Munich Airport.

Top recognition also went to Volvo as the Best Car Manufacturer in the World and, for the fifth time, FlyerTalk won as the Best General Travel Site.

The complete list of GlobeRunner award winners is:

• Best Airline in Europe/Africa/Asia/Pacific: Virgin Atlantic Airways
• Best Airline in the Americas: Air Canada and United Airlines (tie)
• Best First Class Airport Lounge: Lufthansa
• Best Business Class Airport Lounge: Air Canada and United Airlines (tie)
• Best Airline Alliance: oneworld
• Best Frequent Flyer Program: American Airlines AAdvantage
• Best Hotel Chain in Europe/Africa/Asia/Pacific: Kempinski Hotels
• Best Hotel Chain in the Americas: Hilton
• Best Hotel Chain/Group Loyalty Program: Hilton Honors
• Best Hotel Dining Experience: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
• Best General Travel Site: FlyerTalk
• Best Car Rental Chain in the World: Hertz
• Best Car Manufacturer in the World: Volvo

(Photo: Accura Media Group)