Air New Zealand is being honoured for its in-flight innovations, financial performance, operational safety and motivation of its staff that have stamped the airline an industry trendsetter, the website has announced.
The editorial team, responsible for the Airline Excellence Awards, has lauded Air New Zealand's commitment to a young fleet and its continual focus on the environment. The airline also won Best Premium Economy Class.
“AirlineRatings.com 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 minded passengers," explained editor Geoffrey Thomas.
"Quite simply Air New Zealand is an airline of first choice. And given the airline's location and the country's size its performance is even more remarkable."
EMIRATES: FIRST CLASS
Emirates, which the awards team described as one of the industry's ‘leading lights’, bagged three awards for Best First Class, Best In Flight Entertainment and Best Long Haul Airline based in the Middle East and Africa. It was also noted that Dubai’s carrier is consistently amongst the finest in the industry across all aspects of service delivery and operational safety.
Qantas Group also picked up three awards. The Australian firm scored Best Lounges and Best Economy Class, while its budget carrier Jetstar was named Best Low Cost Airline in Asia.
Best Business Class went to Cathay Pacific, which adds to a string of accolades the airline has won for its business class offering.
Other winners in the Airline Excellence Awards are: Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Swiss International, Air Canada, JetBlue, Norwegian and flydubai.
AIRLINERATINGS.COM’S TOP 10 AIRLINES FOR 2014
1. Air New Zealand
2. Emirates
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Qantas
6. Etihad Airways
7. Royal Jordanian Airlines
8. Swiss International
9. Virgin Atlantic
10. All Nippon Airways