AirlineRatings.com named Air New Zealand the 2017 airline of the year in its Airline Excellence Awards. The airline is being honored for taking the title for the fourth consecutive time.
The Australia-based website praised Air New Zealand for its record-breaking financial performance, award-winning in-flight innovations, operational safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff. The program combines four major international industry and government audits and nine key criteria, fleet age, passenger review ratings, profitability, investment rating and key product offerings.
“Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance,” said Geoffrey Thomas, editor in chief, AirlineRatings. “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.”
Qantas cleaned up well, scoring a hat trick in Best Lounges, Best Catering and Best Domestic Service categories. Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia offer travelers a premium experience, winning Best First Class and Best Business Class respectively. Virgin Australia and partner Virgin Atlantic Airways also won Best Cabin Crew for the third year in a row. Emirates is described as one of the pioneers in entertaining passengers, winning the award for Best In-Flight Entertainment.
For excellence in long-haul flights the winners were Delta Air Lines (Americas), Virgin Atlantic (Europe), Etihad (Middle East/Africa) and Singapore Airlines (Asia/Pacific). The top 10 airlines for 2017 are Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic/Virgin Australia, British Airways, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, EVA Air and Lufthansa.
Read This Next
Kessler Launches Luxury Boat Charters
News
Jul 20, 2024
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMelt into Mediterranean Charm in Barcelona and Costa Brava
Usually regarded for its Modernist architecture, centuries of artistic influence and polarizing football team, Barcelona has come into its own as a growing tech hub. The capital of Catalonia hosts the annual Mobile World Congress each March, and its Poble Nou neighborhood cradles some of the world’s most recognizable startups like TravelPerk and Typeform.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Moments, Made to Keep
The Excellence Collection offers a curated collection of luxurious resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, promising exceptional experiences for every guest and taste. From upscale suite concepts to a plethora of gourmet dining options, from wellness experiences to curated activities, The Excellence Collection guarantees all this and more.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Ireland’s Dromoland Castle Announces Landmark Transformation
This November, Dromoland Castle is set to close its doors for six months for its largest redevelopment in its 63 years as a hotel. Set to reopen in June 2027, the 16th-century property in County Clare will debut a one-of-a-kind transformation with updates to accommodations, public spaces, wellness facilities, culinary features and more.
Destinations
Sep 21, 20266 Reasons to Put Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with us.
Sponsored Content
Elevate Your Journey with TAP Air Portugal’s New Economy Prime
Exciting news ahead for TAP Air Portugal, as Portugal’s flag carrier prepares for the launch of its brand-new Economy Prime cabin, offering customers more space, additional privacy and a superior travel experience. Flights boasting the new cabin take off June 1; booking for Economy Prime is now available across all TAP channels and travel agents.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Women’s Retreats Now Available at Six Senses Kyoto, Six Senses Kanuhura
Designed to be a supportive experience for women of all ages, The Yin Way Retreat — The Way of a Woman is a new experience available to guests this year at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives. It’s available Oct. 1 to 4 in the Maldives, and at Six Senses Kyoto in Japan Dec. 11 to 14.
Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces
September 2026
Sep 19, 2026Daily
Sep 18, 2026Windstar Unlocks Tower of London After Dark and Other New 2027 Experiences
Explore three different remarkable European destinations in 2027 with Windstar Cruises. The brand’s newest 224-guest, all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, debuts alongside complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London.
Sponsored Content
Get to Know TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal's program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business. TAP FORBIZ offers solutions suited to each business: travel cost reduction, more flexibility, more benefits and more value. With TAP FORBIZ, businesses can centralize purchases, control the company budget and ensure greater cost predictability with exclusive discounts and benefits tailored to each company's profile. Each trip becomes a strategic decision to travel more and spend less.
September 2026
Sep 17, 2026High-Spirited Hong Kong: The Dynamic Hub Embraces Its Maritime History and Culture
It was known as the “Kai Tak heart attack” — the thrilling, terrifying final approach into Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport. Airliners were required to bank sharply at the last moment, dodging hills and apartment blocks to line up with a runway jutting out into Kowloon Bay. The airport is long gone, but international visitors are arriving at Kai Tak again, albeit more sedately. Their cruise ships dock smoothly at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a modern gateway designed by Sir Norman Foster.
ShareThis