Waltham, MA (November 1, 2021) – StudentUniverse, the world’s largest student and youth travel marketplace, is pleased to announce the winner of its 3rd Annual Airline Awards. The annual survey is distributed to StudentUniverse’s student and youth traveler database across four countries. Students voted for airlines who stood above the rest in 6 categories, including overall experience, value and service, and a new addition this year, “Safest During Covid-19.” This new category allowed student travelers to commend airlines for their responses to keeping travelers healthy and cared for during travel throughout the pandemic.
The 2021 Best Airlines for Students winners are:
Best Overall Airline for Students [US]: American Airlines
For the second year in a row, American Airlines was voted the best overall airline by students in the US. Now operating flights to more than 350 destinations, American Airlines has established itself as one of the leading travel brands during its 90-year history. Voted as Best Overall Airline by students and youth, students ranked American Airlines as the best student airline for their value, service, reliability and overall experience.
One student commented, “American Airlines was my favorite airline prior to COVID-19 but especially since the pandemic, their cleaning and safety procedures are efficient and done often to keep guests safe…I rely on air travel to get to and from home at the end of each semester, which can be very expensive…. Thankfully, Student Universe’s partnership with American Airlines helps us to save money and get me and my stuff home safely. I plan to use American Airlines exclusively for the remainder of my college career.”
In the US, American Airlines was not only voted Best Overall, but also swept the remaining 5 categories as well.
As the first airline to win every award in one country, Louis de Joux, Managing Director of Leisure, Specialty, and Groups at American Airlines and President of American Airlines Vacations said, “We’re honored to be recognized for our commitment to helping student and youth travelers broaden their horizons through travel, and are immensely grateful for the leading role that Student Universe plays in the travel ecosystem.”
Best Overall Airline for Students [CA]: Air Canada
In Canada, Air Canada also had a clean sweep of all six categories, with students labeling them “most reliable,” “cheapest,” and “very accommodating.”
“Air Canada is very proud to have won in all six Canadian categories in this year’s Student Universe annual survey and we thank the students who travel with us for their loyalty. The student demographic is highly discerning, and we are pleased to be able to respond to their unique needs. Today’s students are tomorrow’s frequent business and leisure travellers, which is why we are committed to continually elevate our services to ensure this relationship remains strong far into the future,” said Lisa Pierce, Vice President, Canada and U.S. Sales at Air Canada.
Across the UK and Australia, British Airways, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, Qantas Airlines and Virgin Australia all received student awards.
“While 2021 was another challenging year in aviation, Students and Youth have been among the most active with respect to travel and are a critical demographic for this industry in terms of recovery.” said StudentUniverse Managing Director, Steven de Blois. “As the world’s largest student survey, we believe we’re setting the global standard for airline awards amongst this group.”
Full List of Winners:
USA
Best for international travel: American Airlines
Best for travel within the US: American Airlines
Best value for students and youth in 2021: American Airlines
Best service for students and youth in 2021: American Airlines
Safest during COVID-19: American Airlines
Overall best airline for students and youth in 2021: American Airlines
CANADA
Best for international travel: Air Canada
Best for travel within Canada: Air Canada
Best value for students and youth in 2021: Air Canada
Best service for students and youth in 2021: Air Canada
Safest during COVID-19: Air Canada
Overall best airline for students and youth in 2021: Air Canada
UNITED KINGDOM
Best for international travel: British Airways
Best for travel within Europe: British Airways
Best value for students and youth in 2021: Ryanair
Best service for students and youth in 2021: Turkish Airlines
Safest during COVID-19: British Airways
Overall best airline for students and youth in 2021: British Airways
AUSTRALIA
Best for international travel: Qantas Airways
Best for travel within Australia: Virgin Australia
Best value for students and youth in 2021: Virgin Australia
Best service for students and youth in 2021: Virgin Australia
Safest during COVID-19: Virgin Australia
Overall best airline for students and youth in 2021: Virgin Australia
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About StudentUniverse
Launched in 2000, StudentUniverse is a Boston-based tech company that operates the world’s largest student and youth travel marketplace. Through negotiations with a network of global partners, StudentUniverse offers exclusive pricing and terms for its members. With operations in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines, StudentUniverse empowers students and youth to travel more. Acquired in 2015, StudentUniverse is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flight Centre Travel Group, one of the world’s largest travel companies. https://www.studentuniverse.com/
Media Contact:
Allison Wallace
VP, Communications
Flight Centre Travel Group, the Americas
allison.wallace@flightcentre.ca
