StudentUniverse Recognizes Six Airline Partners in Eight Categories with 2017 “Best Airlines for Students” Awards

Airlines Awarded for Going Beyond Discounted Student Flights; Exhibiting Deep Understanding of the Student Traveler and Offering Programs to Meet Their Needs

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--StudentUniverse, a Flight Centre Travel Group company and the world’s leading travel booking service for students and youth, today announced the winners of its third annual “Best Airlines for Students” awards.

The six awardees were selected from the more than 90 airlines StudentUniverse works with that offer unique pricing and terms to students and youth. The winners go above and beyond for student travelers— offering programs that cater to students’ travel patterns and preferences at different times of year (such as competitive one-way and bi-directional fares) and demonstrating a deep understanding of how students travel.

Airlines were chosen based on the volume of bookings, year-over-year sales growth, terms and conditions as well as pricing they offer to the student market and the extent to which they create special programs and fares specific to the unique travel habits of students. Our 2017 “Best Airlines for Students” Award winners represent specific markets, group travel and an overall winner. They are:

• Best Airline for Students, Overall, American Airlines
  A loyal StudentUniverse supporter since the early days, American Airlines provides unique product across multiple entities, supported by competitive terms and pricing.

Commenting on this overall win, Alison Taylor, Senior Vice President - Global Sales and Distribution, American Airlines said, “We have a long standing partnership with StudentUniverse and are honored to be voted Best Airline for Students – Overall. We understand the value of working with students to encourage their education and world exploration today, and to develop a lasting relationship in the future. We look forward to our continued growth in the student market.”

• Best Airline for Students, Trans-Pacific, United Airlines
  Travel between the US and Asia is one of StudentUniverse's fastest growing and largest markets and United Airlines held 17% market share in this category during the last fiscal year.

• Best Airline for Students, Latin America, LATAM Airlines (third year running)
  LATAM Airlines continues to be the best supporter of student travel both to Latin America and within Latin America.

• Best Airline for Students, South-Pacific, Air New Zealand
  Air New Zealand ensures that we had competitive pricing and terms on travel to the South Pacific, much of which is booked by students traveling abroad for a semester.

• Best Airline for Students, Group Travel, Delta Air Lines (third year running)
  Group travel comes with a unique set of challenges. Delta Air Lines exhibits the flexibility, creativity, dedicated support and quick turnaround needed to support StudentUniverse’s group travel clients.

• Best Airline for Students, Europe = oneworld - 2 trophies (second year running)
  • Awarded to British Airways/Iberia and American Airlines
    The oneworld Alliance understands the needs of students traveling from the US to Europe. The carriers representing this alliance combine for 43% booking share for this segment.
• Best Airline for Students, North America, American Airlines (second year running, also Europe category winner in 2016)
  Not all students travel internationally during college, but many travel between home and school or around the U.S. and Canada to visit friends and explore. American Airlines understands the value of US domestic students and the future business they represent in the corporate and leisure world.

• Best Airline for Students, Rising Star, Delta Air Lines
  The Rising Star award recognizes an airline who is emerging as a major player in the student travel space. Delta Air Lines has worked with StudentUniverse to grow the student market in Asia, Europe, Latin America & South Pacific.

About StudentUniverse
StudentUniverse is the world’s leading travel booking service for students and youth. It offers exclusive pricing and terms on flights, hotels and tours through contracts with dozens of world-class partners and more than 90 airlines. Its Travel Services division handles client requests for groups and custom itineraries.

StudentUniverse launched in 2000 and was acquired by Flight Centre Travel Group in 2015. StudentUniverse is headquartered in Boston with offices in London, Toronto, New York and the Philippines. StudentUniverse believes that travel is essential to a modern education. Millions of students use the service every year. For updates on StudentUniverse, follow our corporate Twitter and blog.