Voting took place between June and September and this year Business Traveller readers were asked to reflect not just on the last 12 months but on the last 24 months.
The 2021 Business Traveller Awards were announced on Thursday, November 25, 2021 by the publishers of Business Traveller magazine, Panacea Media.
The awards celebrate the achievements of airlines, airports, hotels, rail operators and car hire companies and are voted for by readers of the magazine, with the results produced by an independent research company. The awards are widely recognised as the market’s benchmark for excellence.
Voting took place between June and September and this year Business Traveller readers were asked to reflect not just on the last 12 months but on the last 24 months.
They asked them to consider not just their travel experiences before Covid and for the more limited time they travelled during this period but also a wider range of factors. For example:
- Were communications effective and timely by travel companies?
- Were effective Covid measures put in place and communicated?
- Did they feel safe?
- How were they treated as part of a loyalty programme?
- Were re-bookings, refunds and cancellations done sensitively and efficiently?
- Did they experience hotels differently through staycations, eating out etc?
Once again, we have not been able to hold an awards lunch ceremony due to continuing uncertainty over Covid for many guests who fly in from abroad, but Business Traveller editorial director Tom Otley, Panacea Media’s managing director, Julian Gregory, and group publisher, Rania Apthorpe, presented most recipients with their trophies in November.
British Airways took six awards for Best Short-Haul Carrier, Best Frequent Flyer Programme, Best Airport Lounge (for its Concorde Room at London Heathrow T5), Best New Seat (for the Club Suite), Best Travel App, and Best Credit Card Or Payment Card For Travel (for the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card).
Meanwhile Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways both won four awards each. Singapore Airlines was named Best Airline, as well as winning in the Best First Class, Best Cabin Staff and Best Asian Airline categories. Qatar Airways took Best Long-Haul Carrier, Best Business Class, Best Middle Eastern Airline and Best Inflight Food and Beverage.
Oneworld was named Best Airline Alliance. Emirates was named Best Economy Class and Best In-Flight Entertainment, Virgin Atlantic won Best Premium Economy Class, and Easyjet Best Low-Cost Airline.
Delta Air Lines was named Best North American Airline, Ethiopian Airlines Best African Airline and Aeroflot Best Eastern European Airline.
Singapore’s Changi Airport won the Best Airport Worldwide award, while Amsterdam Schiphol took the Europe prize, and London Heathrow was named Best Airport for Tax-Free Shopping.
Avis was again named the Best Car Rental Company Worldwide and in Europe, while LNER took the Best UK Domestic Train Service award.
In the hotel categories Hilton Hotels and Resorts won Best Business Hotel Brand Worldwide, in the UK and also in Europe, as well as Best Hotel Loyalty Scheme for Hilton Honors.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts was named the Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific, Rotana Hotels and Resorts Best Business Hotel Brand in the Middle East, Marriott Hotels Best Business Hotel Brand in North America, and Taj Hotels Best Business Hotel Brand in India.
Best Business Hotel in the UK was the Intercontinental London Park Lane, while other winners included Ascott The Residence, Langham Hotels and Resorts, Premier Inn, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Sofitel London Heathrow.
Commenting on the results Tom Otley, Editorial Director of Business Traveller said: “It’s been another difficult year for both travellers and the travel industry, but it’s a good reason to celebrate those companies that performed the best at the most challenging times. I’d like to thank all of those involved in the awards, and thank our readers for their voting.
“Now that we are finally looking forward to brighter skies in 2022, I hope travel bounces back in a new, more sustainable way, and with a continued emphasis on both safety and security, and easing as many of the new barriers that have been put in place as is possible.”
Completely independent, the awards have been running for more than three decades and are widely seen as the leading accolades in the business travel industry.
There is no pre-selection by the Business Traveller team and all of the data provided by voters is analysed by a market research company to ascertain the winners.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
