Global Traveler Magazine Awards based on survey of more than 25,000 readers

MONTREAL, Dec. 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada has been voted the Best Airline in North America by the readers of Global Traveler magazine in an international survey of business travelers.

"It is very gratifying to receive this endorsement from our customers who travel most frequently and are therefore well-placed to measure Air Canada's products and services against those of our North American peers. At a time when all airlines are striving to attract premium customers, it is clear our renewed focus on service and the investments we have made in on-board, airport and on-line improvements are resonating with travelers. Further, because business travelers so often connect through our major hub in Toronto, this award is evidence we are succeeding in building Lester B. Pearson International Airport into a North American gateway by making connections easy. Mostly, however, this award is recognition of the hard work of Air Canada's 26,000 employees and their dedication to offering our customers a superior travel experience," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.

The Global Traveler Reader Survey Awards are based on the responses of more than 25,000 readers of Global Traveler Magazine. Global Traveler readers are frequent premium travelers who average 32 round-trip flights a year, with 96 per cent traveling in first or business class regularly.

Air Canada has renewed its international and North American fleets with new Boeing 777 and Embraer aircraft.  Air Canada has also refurbished its existing fleet to offer all customers new seats and personal entertainment systems at each seat, fleet-wide on North American and international routes.  New fleet-wide amenities include digital in-seat monitors with touch-screen controls offering hundreds of hours of audio and video on-demand programming, standard in-seat power within reach of every customer, lie-flat beds in Executive First suites, Air Canada's international business class service, and the ability to collect and redeem Aeroplan miles. 

In addition, Air Canada customers benefit from a simplified airport experience for connecting between U.S.-Canada transborder flights and either domestic Canada or international overseas flights world wide, via new facilities all under one roof at its main Toronto hub.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo from 60 communities large and small across Canada to more than 175 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually.  Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,172 airports in 181 countries.