2009 Leading Edge Awards

In aviation, the leading edge is the forward rim of a wing or propeller. In business, it’s the foremost position of a trend. Executive Travel’s annual Leading Edge Awards appropriately honor companies on the vanguard of the travel industry. This year, our readers have once again voted for the companies they value and respect most. The list comprises a diverse group: large and small, old and new. New for 2009, we’ve added Editor's Picks as an additional way to acknowledge those who are ahead of the pack. Executive Travel salutes the winners of the 2009 Leading Edge Awards.

1. AIR TRAVEL-DOMESTIC

BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE
1st: Delta Air Lines

2nd: Southwest Airlines

3rd: Continental Airlines

BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE FOR FIRST-CLASS SERVICE
1st: Continental Airlines

2nd: Delta Air Lines

3rd: United Airlines

BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE FOR BUSINESS-CLASS SERVICE
1st: United Airlines

2nd: Delta Air Lines

3rd: Continental Airlines

BEST AIRLINE FOR AIRPORT LOUNGES
1st: Delta Air Lines

2nd: Continental Airlines

3rd: United Airlines

BEST "LOW-COST" CARRIER
1st: Southwest Airlines

2nd: JetBlue Airways

3rd: AirTran

BEST FREQUENT FLIER PROGRAM—DOMESTIC
1st: Delta Air Lines

2nd: United Airlines

3rd: Continental Airlines

BEST AIRLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE—DOMESTIC
1st: Southwest Airlines

2nd: Delta Air Lines

3rd: Continental Airlines

BEST PRIVATE JET SERVICE
1st: Delta Air Elite

2nd: Net Jets

3rd: Blue Star Jets

BEST AIRCRAFT
1st: Boeing 777

2nd: Boeing 747

3rd: Airbus 380

BEST DOMESTIC AIRPORT
1st: Denver

2nd: Chicago-O'Hare

3rd: Atlanta