Air New Zealand Named Best Airline In The World

Air New Zealand has been crowned best airline in the world for the fourth consecutive year in the global rankings.

The 2017 awards were generated by global product and safety website airlineratings.com, which ranked the top airlines overall, best cabins of each class and highlighted the best entertainment, catering and cabin crew worldwide.

To be named one of the top ten airlines in the world, carriers have to show leading innovations in passenger comfort and must have achieved a seven-star safety status.

Air New Zealand was honoured for the fourth year due to its in-flight innovations, financial performance and environmental leadership and commitment to a young fleet, according to the Australia-based website.

AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said: 'In our objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance.'

The airline also took the top gong for best premium economy class for the third time, in a year which has seen investments in a streamlined and refurbished fleet, a multi-million dollar lounge redevelopment and three new international routes.

Australian airline Qantas scooped the second prize leaping up from fourth place last year.

The airline was praised for its financial turnaround and is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787s in 2017. The lie-flat beds on all of its A330s have ensured a high customer approval rating.

Aviation stalwart Singapore Airlines took third place after introducing its new premium economy, revamped business class and the new A350, this past year. It was also awarded a prize for best economy offering.

Airlineratings.com developed its seven-star ratings system after two years of evaluation and the system is now endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

- Daily Mail