While Australians may have an ongoing love affair with Qantas, globally it seems the Flying Kangaroo’s competitor across the ditch continues to be a global favourite.
Air New Zealand has been named ‘Airline of the Year’ by AirlineRatings.com for the third consecutive year.
Revealed overnight, the carrier beat the Australian carrier, which landed in second place in the top 10 airlines for 2016 list.
The website’s team praised the carrier for its inflight products (still loving the skycouch) and its commitment to clean flying.
Of course, the airline was recognised for its exceptional performance in the market and its ongoing operational safety.
But it had to those innovative safety videos that helped the carrier secure the title again along with its internal culture which includes a haka performance congratulating the All Blacks of their RWC win and there’s that creative video of Qantas’ CEO Alan Joyce complimenting the airline.
AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas described Air New Zealand as a global trendsetter, saying it consistently performs at high level and at the top tier of the industry in a host of areas.
“Air New Zealand’s focus on its staff has resulted in outstanding performance right across the airline at every touch point and the airline’s innovation continues to impress, including the recently launched tracking of unaccompanied children.”
Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief
“Given Air New Zealand’s location and the country’s size, its performance is stunning.”
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon welcomed the title, saying it reflects the carrier’s consistent hard work.
Check out the 10 top airlines for 2016 below:
1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Etihad
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Emirates
7. EVA Air
8. Virgin Atlantic/Virgin Australia
9. All Nippon Airways
10. Lufthansa
