Best European Airline

Members from within the travel industry voted for the winners in many high profile categories. 

  • Financials are improving enough that pilots went on strike - and negotiated a slight raise. And even after a troublesome period for SAS, it was recently named the Best European Airline.

  • The recent Grand Travel Award Gala in Stockholm was a huge success for a previously troubled Scandinavian Airlines (for more on the story of its successful transformation back to the top, read here). SAS was named winner in three categories: Best European airline, Best intercontinental airline and Best domestic transportation. To top off the evening on February 16, the airline’s global sales manager, Annelie Nässén won the Manager of the Year Award.

  • Best intercontinental airline: SAS

  • Twelve hundred members of the travel industry — organized by the travel trade publication Travel News — picked the winners for the annual awards. SAS won in competition with British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates and others. Among the other awards were Best Domestic Hotel Chain – Clarion; Best International Hotel Chain – Radisson Blu and interestingly, the Annual Innovator award was awarded to Airbnb. STF Abisko Mountain station received a well deserved Annual Ecotourism Award and the Annual Digital Award was awarded to Fritidsresor charter for its introduction of a smart bracelet, TUI, for travelers. The TUI works as a room key, can be used as a means of payment and to regulate your room’s temperature. Best Tour Operator in Special Travel was Swanson’s Travel, which specializes in travel to North America and Tourist Destination of the Year, the United States.

  • Best domestic transportation: SAS

  • SAS is starting non-stop service between Los Angeles and Stockholm, Sweden on March 14, 2016. Daily services to Miami will start in the fall 2016.

  • No more hassle with keys or wallets on the beach: The TUI smart bracelet by Fritidsresor will take care of every worry and even regulate the air conditioning in your room.

  • Grand Travel Awards –the full list of winners
    Best domestic transportation – SAS
    Best European airline – SAS
    Best intercontinental airline – SAS
    Best charter organizer – Ving
    Best tour operator, special travel – Swanson’s Travel
    Best domestic hotel chain – Clarion Hotels
    Best international hotel chain – Radisson Blu
    Best cruisline – Birka Cruises
    Best international cruiseline – Royal Caribbean
    Best car rental – Hertz
    Best foreign tourist information – Visit Denmark
    Touris Destination/Country of the Year – USA
    Innovator of the Year – Airbnb
    Digital Award – Fritidsresor, which introduced a smart bracelet for travelers
    Ecotourism Award fo the Year – STF Abisko Fjällstation
    Manager of the Year – Annelie Nässén, SAS