Forbes Travel Guide will launch the Verified Air Travel Awards, which will recognize excellence in luxury air travel from top travel experts and seasoned global travelers.

Forbes Travel Guide

The global authority on luxury hospitality is about to elevate the travel industry by launching its inaugural Verified Air Travel Awards.

These awards, set to be unveiled on October 22, 2024, will recognize excellence in air travel based on the insights of the world’s top luxury travel advisors, FTG’s discreet inspectors, and seasoned global travelers.

In a landscape where travel awards often feel more like popularity contests than genuine acknowledgments of quality, Forbes Travel Guide is charting a different course.

The Verified Air Travel Awards will be determined by an invitation-only panel of 5,000 highly qualified travel experts who have traversed the globe and experienced the finest—and occasionally the not-so-fine—air travel services.

These experts will evaluate over 20 categories, including Best Airlines, Best Airports, and Best Private Jet Services.

Peter Greenberg, Emmy Award-winning travel journalist and host of “Eye on Travel” on CBS Radio, emphasized the importance of these awards.

“In an era of luxury brand proliferation, the Verified Air Travel Awards stand out because they are grounded in real-world experience and accountability. It is not about glossy images or catchy slogans, but about the informed opinions of veteran travelers and reliable metrics that truly define excellence,” he said.

Forbes Travel Guide’s foray into the world of air travel awards is a natural extension of its long-standing commitment to quality.

Jeff Arnold, Chairman of the Board at FTG, explained, “In today’s luxury travel environment, the quality of air travel and hotel experiences are inextricably linked. Our Verified Air Travel Awards reflect this synergy, ensuring travelers can trust the highest service standards from takeoff to landing.”

The competition is intense, with nominees including major airlines such as Air France, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, boutique carriers like Beond and La Compagnie, and top private jet services including Flexjet and NetJets.

These companies represent the pinnacle of luxury air travel, but only the best will earn the coveted Verified Air Travel Award.

The winners will be celebrated at The Summit in Monaco in February 2025 during FTG’s annual gathering of luxury brands and travel experts.

This event will mark a significant moment in the industry, as the Verified Air Travel Awards set a new benchmark for excellence in air travel.

Importantly, these awards will operate independently from Forbes Travel Guide’s established Five-Star, Four-Star, and Recommended Ratings, which continue to set the gold standard for hotels, restaurants, spas, and cruise ships worldwide.

The unveiling of the Verified Air Travel Awards on October 22 will give travelers a new level of confidence when booking their flights.

These awards promise that the airlines recognized have met the highest standards of luxury and service, as judged by the most discerning travelers.

As the date approaches, the travel industry is poised for a transformative moment.

The Verified Air Travel Awards are more than just accolades—they reflect an evolving industry where the quality of the journey is as important as the destination.

Forbes Travel Guide’s initiative underscores its commitment to excellence, ensuring that only the best in luxury air travel earn its approval.