Air New Zealand has been named AirlineRatings.com’s ‘Airline of the Year’ for the second consecutive year for its ‘innovations, financial performance, safety and staff motivation’.
Describing the Kiwi carrier as a ‘trendsetter’, the airline rating website praised Air New Zealand’s commitment to maintaining a young fleet. The oldest average age of aircraft in the fleet is the Boeing 767-300ER at 19 years.
AirlineRatings.com also recognised the carrier’s focus on environmental safety – this includes its Environment Trust, to which passenger donations are used to support projects that enhance clean flying.
“Put simply Air New Zealand is a textbook case of what an airline should be today. Air New Zealand has catapulted to the top tier of the industry and while it may be 50th in size in global rankings it is one of the most awarded.”
Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief
Air New Zealand also won ‘best premium economy’ for the second year in a row for introducing a service that ‘is right and priced accordingly’.
Meanwhile, Australian carrier Qantas won three awards this year – ‘best lounges’, ‘best domestic service’ and ‘best catering’.
AirlineRatings.com described Qantas’ lounges as ‘standout’ due to their complimentary food and beverages, showers and internet access.
Meanwhile, the Flying Kangaroo’s food was praised for both first-class and economy passengers.
“Qantas’s catering commitment to both its domestic and international passengers is industry leading.”
Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief
Qantas’ competitor, Virgin Australia won the inaugural award for ‘best new world carrier’.
According to the ratings website, the award acknowledges airlines making game changing initiatives to redefine travel.
Over the last few years, Virgin has morphed from a low-cost carrier to an airline that combines cost effective travel with first-class product.
The transformation included new aircraft, redesigned crew uniforms and an overhaul of its onboard and airport products.
Virgin Australia was also the winner of ‘best cabin crew’ who ‘treat every passenger as a special guest’.
See the full list of winners below:
Airline of the Year – Air New Zealand
Best First Class – Etihad
Best Business Class – Cathay Pacific
Best Premium Economy – Air New Zealand
Best Economy – Thai Airways
Best Lounges – Qantas
Best Catering – Qantas
Best In-flight Entertainment – Emirates
Best Domestic Service – Qantas
Best New World Carrier – Virgin Australia
Best Cabin Crew – Virgin Australia
Best Long Haul Airline – Etihad, Eva Air, Lufthansa and Lan Chile
Best Low Cost Airline – JetBlue, Scoot and Norwegian
