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Best airlines in all classes: Air New Zealand wins title of best airline for 2016

By Kylie McLaughlin

Updated December 2, 2015 — 10.38am

Air New Zealand has taken out the title of airline of the year for 2016 over Qantas, who secured second spot.

This is the third year ANZ have taken out the title, as voted by airline safety and product rating review website AirlineRatings.com.

The website praised Air New Zealand for its "products, environmental commitment, innovation and internal culture".

AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said the airline was a global trendsetter.

"Given Air New Zealand's location and the country's size, its performance is stunning," he said.

"The innovation at Air New Zealand continues to dazzle and the airline has rolled out some stunning new technology including innovative tracking of unaccompanied children and a wonderful App to get you a prefect cup of coffee before your flight."

Air New Zealand was also awarded the best premium economy and best long haul economy titles.

Air New Zealand chief executive officer Christopher Luxon said the awards were a reflection of the hard work put in by the airline's more than 11,000 staff around the world.

"It's an honour to be named airline of the year again and the timing couldn't be better with the awards coming at the same time Air New Zealand celebrates its inaugural flight to Buenos Aires Argentina, one of four new international destinations the airline is launching this year."

However, it was Abu Dhabi airline Etihad who took out the award for best First Class.

"Etihad's commitment to excellence appears to know no bounds. The airline's new First Class and Business Class offerings are quite stunning and have set the bar even higher in luxury travel," said Mr Thomas.

And the gong for Business Class went to Singapore Airlines, whose revamped section is "really impressive... subtle elegant, functional and very cozy."

In the most competitive and rapidly growing sector of Low Cost, there were four winners: Virgin America, Scoot, Kulula.com (Middle East/Africa) and Norwegian.

Said Thomas: "These airlines may not always offer the lowest fare but what they always do is deliver the best value."

He applauded the airlines' ability to make travel fun and achievable for those who could not always afford air travel.

AirlineRatings.com rates more than 435 airlines around the globe to determine its award winners.

To gain a top ten position, airlines must have achieved a seven star safety rating and demonstrate clear leadership in innovation for passenger comfort.