T+L magazine: Virgin America, Singapore are top airlines for 2017 … again

Virgin America has been named the USA's top airline for the 10th consecutive year in the "World's Best Awards” for 2017, released last week by Travel + Leisure magazine. JetBlue finished second among US carriers in the annual rating of domestic airlines. Singapore Airlines was rated the top international airline, winning in that category for the 22nd consecutive year. In the 2017 T+L ratings, Virgin America has now taken the top spot among U.S. carriers every year going back to 2008. Virgin America made its first flight in 2007. Despite its long run atop the T+L awards, however, Virgin America’s days are numbered. Alaska Airlines closed on a deal to acquire Virgin America in late 2016 and has since said it will phase out the Virgin America brand, likely in 2019. Still, Alaska Airlines also was well-liked in the T+L rankings. The Seattle-based carrier placed No. 3 among U.S. carriers, ranking it between No. 2 JetBlue and No. 4 Hawaiian Airlines. Internationally, Singapore Airlines and Emirates were tabbed as the best in the world, holding down the same No. 1 and No. 2 positions they’ve occupied in the T+L ratings since 2013. Rounding out the top five were Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines (JAL). Cathay Pacific and JAL were new to the top five for 2017, replacing previous No. 4 Etihad Airways and previous No. 5 Virgin Atlantic.<br/>