In a a year of uncertainty and turmoil in travel—massive flight cancellations, airline bankruptcies, skyrocketing fuel costs and increasingly tighter budgets—it’s easy to forget that many companies continue to offer high-quality, innovative products and services to travelers. Here, we announce our list of companies that have excelled when others have failed, serving the travel community with enthusiasm when others seem not to care. The winners of our 2008 Executive Travel Leading Edge Awards remind us that greatness is still achievable in the travel industry. The winners were selected by Executive Travel readers, who voted this spring in an online survey found at both ExecutiveTravelMagazine .com and LeadingEdgeAward.com. More of you voted in 2008 than ever before, indicating an increasing desire among business travelers to have a collective voice about the travel industry. To those who participated, we offer a special thank-you for taking part in the awards and having your say in honoring excellence. We congratulate the winning companies and commend them for leading, innovating and serving their travel customers.

2008 LEADING EDGE AWARD WINNERS

AIRLINES - DOMESTIC

Best Domestic Airline

1. Continental Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. American Airlines

Best Domestic Airline for First Class Service

1. Delta Air Lines
2. Continental Airlines
3. American Airlines

Best Domestic Airline for Business Class Service

1. United Airlines
2. Continental Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines

Best "Low-Cost" Carrier

1. JetBlue Airways
2. Southwest Airlines
3. AirTran

AIRLINE - INTERNATIONAL

Best International Airline

1. Singapore Airlines
2. British Airways
3. Virgin Atlantic Airways

Best International Airline for First Class Service

1. Singapore Airlines
2. British Airways
3. Virgin Atlantic Airways

Best International Airline for Business Class Service

1. British Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Virgin Atlantic Airways

Best Airline for Flights to Africa

1. South African Airways
2. British Airways
3. Delta Air Lines

Best Airline for Flights to Australia and New Zealand

1. Qantas Airways
2. Air New Zealand
3. United Airlines

Best Airline for Flights to Eastern and Southeastern Asia

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Cathay Pacific

Best Airline for Flights to Canada

1. Air Canada
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Continental Airlines

Best Airline for Flights to the Caribbean

1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Continental Airlines

Best Airline for Flights to Central and South America

1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. United Airlines

Best Airline for Flights to Eastern Europe

1. Lufthansa
2. British Airways
3. KLM

Best Airline for Flights to Mexico

1. Continental Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. Aeromexico

Best Airline for Flights to the Middle East

1. Emirates
2. El Al
3. Delta Air Lines

Best Airline for Flights to Western Europe

1. Virgin Atlantic Airways
2. British Airways
3. Lufthansa

AIRLINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Best Frequent Flyer Program - Domestic

1. Delta Air Lines
2. United Airlines
3. American Airlines

Best Frequent Flyer Program - Asia

1. Cathay Pacific
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Asiana Airlines

Best Frequent Flyer Program - Europe

1. British Airways
2. Lufthansa
3. KLM

Best Frequent Flyer Program – Africa/Middle East

1. Emirates
2. South African Airways
3. Qatar Airways

AIRLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOUNGES

Best Airline Customer Service - Domestic

1. Continental Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Southwest Airlines

Best Airline Customer Service - Europe

1. Virgin Atlantic Airways
2. British Airways
3. Lufthansa

Best Airline Customer Service - Asia

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Asiana Airlines

Best Airline Customer Service - Africa/Middle East

1. Emirates
2. South African Airways
3. El Al

Best Airline for Airport Lounges

1. Delta Air Lines
2. American Airlines
3. Continental Airlines

OTHER AIR TRAVEL CATEGORIES

Best Aircraft

1. Boeing 777
2. Boeing 747
3. Boeing 767

Best Private Jet Service

1. NetJets
2. Delta AirElite
3. Marquis JetCard

Best Domestic Airport

1. Denver
2. Atlanta
3. Chicago - O'Hare

Best International Airport

1. Amsterdam
2. Hong Kong
3. Singapore

CAR RENTAL

Best Car Rental Company

1. Hertz
2. Avis
3. Enterprise

HOTELS

Best Hotel Chain

1. Hilton
2. Marriott
3. Four Seasons

Best Hotel for Business Service

1. Marriott
2. Hilton
3. Embassy Suites

Best Hotel for Meetings

1. Embassy Suites
2. Marriott
3. Hilton

Best Luxury Hotel Chain with North American Locations

1. Four Seasons
2. Ritz-Carlton
3. Fairmont

Best Luxury Hotel Chain with locations outside North America

1. Ritz-Carlton
2. Four Seasons
3. Mandarin Oriental

HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAM

Best Frequent Guest Program

1. Marriott Rewards
2. Hilton HHonors
3. Starwood Preferred Guest

FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP

Best Destination Club/Fractional Home Ownership/Timeshare

1. Marriott Vacation Club
2. Hilton Grand Vacations Club
3. Disney Vacation Club

LUGGAGE AND LEATHER GOODS

Best Carry-on Case

1. Travelpro
2. Tumi
3. Victorinox

Best Briefcase

1. Tumi
2. Samsonite
3. Targus

Best Laptop Case

1. Tumi
2. Targus
3. Travelpro

CREDIT CARD REWARDS

Best Credit Card Rewards Program

1. American Express Membership Rewards
2. United Airlines Mileage Plus Visa
3. Delta SkyMiles from American Express