Industry experts have named the world’s best airlines for 2020, and Air New Zealand has claimed the top spot.
Just nudging out Singapore Airlines, last year’s winner, this is the sixth time the Kiwi carrier has been named as the world’s best airline thanks to its ‘record-breaking performance, multi-award-winning in-flight innovations, operational safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff.’ It also won the award for Best Premium Economy.
The list was compiled by AirlineRatings.com, whose Airline Excellence Awards are judged by seven editors with over 200 years of industry experience. Airlines are assessed according to 12 key criteria that include fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings and staff relations.
Airline Ratings Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said: ‘In our analysis, Air New Zealand came out number one in most of our audit criteria, which is an outstanding performance when it’s up against carriers with more resources and scale on this same list of best airlines for 2020.
‘Air New Zealand’s commitment to excellence in all facets of its business starts at the top with outstanding governance and one of the best executive teams in aviation through to a workforce that is delivering consistently to the airline’s strategy and customer promise.’
For those in search of luxury, Singapore Airlines won the award for Best First Class, while Qatar Airways took the gongs for Best Catering and Best Business Class. Best Domestic Airline Service went to Qantas, while Cebu Pacific won the accolade for Most Improved Airline and VietJet Air was the Best Ultra Low-Cost airline. Virgin Australia won Best Cabin Crew and Best Economy Class, and Emirates was the winner of Best In-Flight Entertainment.
The best low-cost regional airlines were named as JetBlue in the Americas, Wizz in Europe, AirAsia/AirAsia X in Asia and the Pacific, and Air Arabia in the Middle-East and Africa.
The world’s top 10 airlines for 2020, according to AirlineRatings.com:
Air New Zealand
Singapore Airlines
All Nippon Airways
Qantas
Cathay Pacific
Emirates
Virgin Atlantic
EVA Air
Qatar Airways
Virgin Australia