For the fourth consecutive year, the readers of Global Traveler magazine have bestowed the honor of “Best Domestic First Class Airline” upon American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld Alliance.

Global Traveler’s annual GT Tested Awards program surveyed more than 25,000 business and leisure travelers to determine the best in business and luxury travel for 2009. The GT Tested Awards will be presented on Jan. 21, 2010, in New York City.

“By winning this award for the fourth straight year, our customers know they will experience a far better premium travel experience on American Airlines,” said Lauri Curtis, Vice President-Onboard Service at American Airlines. “It is our hope that our flight attendants’ tireless efforts to provide a safe and enjoyable flight - combined with the multitude of product enhancements that we have prudently invested in - will continue to enrich our customers’ onboard experience.”

Global Traveler conducted an open-ended reader survey from Jan. 1, 2009, to Aug. 31, 2009, to determine the best in many categories of business and luxury travel. Only those questionnaires that were at least 50 percent completed were counted and entries from employees of the magazine or individuals associated with the travel industry were not accepted.

“We’re honored that for the fourth year in a row the readers of Global Traveler have selected American Airlines as best domestic First Class,” said Kurt Stache, Vice President and General Sales Manager at American Airlines. “This recognition reflects American’s commitment to enhance the customer experience for our loyal travelers by offering quality products and services that our customers value.”

“Congratulations to American Airlines. For the past four years, their domestic first class service has continued to be a favorite among our readers,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “The dedication to service and product exhibited by American Airlines is certainly award worthy.”

Throughout 2009, American strategically fine-tuned its existing service by implementing complimentary enhancements such as new styles of china and cutlery in First and Business Class; new wine glasses in premium cabins on select flights; an appetizer course and bread plate, as well as a new cheesecake in domestic First Class; and a variety of other enhanced food and beverage offerings for customers traveling in premium cabins as well as flying internationally in Economy Class.

American Airlines was also honored in August in Global Traveler’s annual “Wines on the Wing” awards as the premier choice for sparkling wine while cruising at 35,000 feet. Global Traveler's panel of wine experts and consultants selected American Airlines as serving the Best Sparkling Wine in the North American Premium Class category for its Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut.

“Year after year, American’s onboard wine selection continues to win accolades from our expert wine judges,” Gallagher said. “American Airlines is doing something right and I expect to see them on our survey for many years to come.”

Earlier this year, American welcomed classically trained winemaker and viticulturist Ken Chase as the airline’s official consultant in selecting fine wines for customers traveling on American’s various routes throughout the world.

“Wine is an integral part of the onboard dining experience,” Curtis said. “Ken Chase’s extensive knowledge bolsters American’s ability to share classic wine varieties with our customers inflight, as well as to introduce unique wines from non-traditional regions to those who enjoy tasting new wines.”

American Airlines will provide tastings of its award-winning Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut to attendees at the GT Tested Awards ceremony in New York City on Jan. 21.

The December issue of Global Traveler magazine features American’s “Best Domestic First Class Airline” recognition and American’s “Best Sparkling Wine in North American Premium Class” Wines on the Wing award.