Winning for the fourth time, Air New Zealand is 2017's Most Excellent Airline according to the airline AirlineRatings. Proving that its more than just the country of "Lord of the Rings", the airline topped the charts of the website's Airline Excellence Awards.
AirlineRatings is an Australian-based website and according to Traveller AU, combined international industry, government audits and key criteria to come up with the winner. Some criteria includes the age of the airplane fleet, reviews from travelers, profitability, investment ranking and specific offers by each airline. (READ: Shocking Secrets Airlines Don't Want You To Know)
AirlineRatings' editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas tells CNN, "Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance". In addition, the website has touted Air New Zealand as an "industry trendsetter". This large praise comes despite differing results with Skytrax's rankings which put Emirates in the top spot and Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific next in line. (READ: Air New Zealand "Flight From Hell" - Extreme Turbulence Causes Injuries)
Aside from Air New Zealand's big win scoring high across all categories, special awards were also handed out with Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic praised as having the Best Cabin Crew, Virgin Australia for Best Business Class, Etihad Airways for both Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline for Middle East and Africa. Emirates Airlines was named Best In-Flight Entertainment, Qantas for Best Domestic Service, Best Lounges and Best Catering, Delta Airlines for Best Long Haul Airline for the Americas, and Singapore Airlines for Best Long Haul Airline for Asia. (READ: Emirates Business Class Lounge at Dubai Airport - The World's Most Luxurious Airport Lounge)
Awards were also handed out to Scoot, Singapore Airline's low-cost carrier for Best Value and Safety in Low-cost Airlines in Asia, with Norwegian winning Europe and Kulula.com winning Africa. Rounding up the top 10 list are EVA Air, ANA (All Nippon Airlines), Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
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