Air New Zealand is Airline of the Year for 2016, according to AirlineRatings.com. Air New Zealand is being honored for the third consecutive year.
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The airline was awarded for its continuous passenger innovations, environmental commitment, record-breaking financial performance, operational safety and motivation of its staff that have cemented the airline an industry trendsetter.
The editorial team also awarded the airline Best Premium Economy Class and Best Economy Class.
AirlineRatings.com’s editorial team took special note of Air New Zealand’s comprehensive long haul offering which has two multi-award winning products in the Skycouch and Spaceseat for economy passengers.
Best First Class: This award has been won by relative newcomer Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways which has shaken the industry with its First Class offerings.
Best Business Class: Singapore Airlines has won Best Business Class and the award adds to a string of accolades the airline has won for its product offerings over the years.
Best Premium Economy: Air New Zealand has won Best Premium Economy for the third year running for its innovation in designing its own premium economy seat.
Best Economy: Air New Zealand continues as a standout in delivering economy passenger options to match their budget. Its standard offering is excellent and if customers want to spend a little extra there are great options like the award winning Skycouch, which is perfect for a parent and two children.
Best Low Cost Airlines: AirlineRatings.com winners are Virgin America (The Americas), Scoot (Asia/Pacific), Kulula.com (Middle-East/Africa) and Norwegian (Europe).
Best Lounges: Qantas’ lounges continue to be a standout in this space and the airline has again won this category for a feature that has become as important as in-flight product to many discerning travellers.
Best Catering: Another win for Qantas for the second year in a row. Its commitment not only to first class dining, but particularly to economy travel which makes up 90 per cent of passengers is well ahead of the pack.
Best In-Flight Entertainment: Singapore Airlines wins AirlineRatings.com Best IFE award. The airline has an IFE product that few other airlines match.
Best Domestic Class: In an era where domestic offerings are becoming leaner and leaner, Qantas’s domestic product is a global standout and in many cases matches or exceeds others’ international product.
Best New World Carrier: Virgin Australia has again won this award for its achievement of morphing from Australia’s low fare pioneer as Virgin Blue to an airline that blends low cost efficiencies, passion and enthusiasm with a truly first class product. Indeed a New World Carrier.
Best Cabin Crew: For the second year running the Best Cabin Crew, award has also been won by Virgin Australia along with partner airline Virgin Atlantic.
Best Long Haul Airlines: AirlineRatings.com Best Long Haul Airline awards have been won by: Etihad (Middle East/Africa), Cathay Pacific Airways (Asia/Pacific), Lufthansa (Europe) and Delta Air Lines (The Americas). ■
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