Business Traveler Magazine's 2006 Readers' Choice Best in Business Travel Awards Announced

NEW YORK, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Business Traveler magazine, the only U.S. publication devoted to the needs of the travel industry's most active customers, has just announced the winners of their 2006 Readers' Choice Best in Business Travel Survey. The highly coveted awards will be presented at a gala ceremony and dinner in New York on January 11, 2007. The gala also kicks-off Business Travelers' fundraising drive benefiting The Ronald McDonald House of New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Now in its 18th year, the Readers' Choice Best in Business Travel Survey randomly samples the Business Traveler subscriber base, allowing the readers to recognize the companies who have made their business travels more enjoyable. Conducted by a third-party agency, the annual survey covers nearly 50 categories including "Best Overall Airline," "Best Business-Class Hotel," and "Best Luggage." The 2006 survey had a return rate of more than 33 percent.

"Logging an average 67 nights on the road and more than six-million round-trip flights a year, our readers know the hotels, airlines and travel products that best meet their needs," stated Rebecca Bishop, publisher. "We appreciate the time these globetrotting executives took to respond to our survey and we hope that the results will make global business travel more productive and efficient in the coming years."

  The 2006 Readers' Choice Best in Business Travel Award Winners:

   Best overall airline in the world: Singapore Airlines
   Best airline for North American travel: Continental Airlines
   Best airline for international travel: Singapore Airlines
   Best business class in the world: Virgin Atlantic Airways
   Best first class in the world: Emirates
   Best premium economy class in the world: United Airlines
   Best economy class in the world: Singapore Airlines
   Best business class to Europe/Trans-Atlantic: British Airways
   Best business class to Eastern Europe: Lufthansa
   Best business class to Nordic Countries: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
   Best business class to Mexico/Latin America: AeroMexico
   Best business class to South America: LAN Airlines
   Best business class to Canada: Air Canada
   Best business class to Asia/Trans-Pacific: Korean Air
   Best business class to the South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand: Air New
    Zealand
   Best business class to the Middle East: Emirates
   Best business class to Africa: South African Airways
   Best low-cost carrier: Frontier Airlines
   Best flight attendants in the U.S.: Continental Airlines
   Best in-flight services in the U.S.: Continental Airlines
   Best flight attendants in the world: Asiana Airlines
   Best in-flight service in the world: Asiana Airlines
   Best business class cuisine/menu: Singapore Airlines
   Best airport lounge: Delta Air Lines
   Best airline alliance: Star Alliance
   Best frequent-flier program: Delta SkyMiles
   Best airline Web site: Delta.com
   Best airport in the world: Singapore Changi International Airport
   Best airport in North America: Denver International Airport
   Best hotel chain in the world: Marriott International
   Best hotel chain in North America for business travel: Marriott
   Best luxury hotel chain for business travel: Four Seasons Hotels &
    Resorts
   Best individual hotel in North America for business travel: The Peninsula
    Chicago
   Best hotel Web site: Marriott.com
   Best hotel rewards program in the world: Marriott Rewards
   Best hotel chain in Latin America: Sheraton Latin America
   Best hotel chain in Europe: Sofitel Hotels & Resorts
   Best hotel chain in Eastern Europe: Hilton Hotels
   Best hotel chain in the Middle East: Jumeirah
   Best Web site for booking travel: Travelocity.com
   Best credit card for business travelers: American Express
   Best credit card rewards program: American Express Membership Rewards
   Best car-rental company in North America: Hertz
   Best wireless service provider in the world: Verizon Wireless
   Best overall luggage for business travelers: Travelpro
   Best carry-on luggage for business travelers: TUMI
   Best international courier service: DHL
   Best overnight courier service in North America: FedEx

  About Business Traveler

Business Traveler is one of the world's leading business travel authorities. With nine editions worldwide, including 18 years covering the United States, Business Traveler, provides flight and hotel reviews, destination features and special interest stories including four-hour excursion guides, airline comparison reviews, airport security and travel trends. Visit http://www.businesstravelerusa.com/ for more details.