The world’s best airlines for 2018 have been announced with Air New Zealand taking out the top “airline of the year” award. Other award categories include the best economy, best business class, and best low-cost carrier.

AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only safety, and product rating agenc promotes excellence in the airline industry and the pinnacle of these efforts is its Airline Excellence Awards. Winners include Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Air Canada, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Westjet, Norwegian, Aegean Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Scoot and VietJetAir.com.

AWARD CATEGORY: Airline Of The Year
Air New Zealand selected for Airline of the year

Air New Zealand is being honored for the fifth consecutive year for its continued record-breaking financial performance, in-flight innovations, environmental leadership, young fleet and motivation of its staff. These factors have stamped the airline as an industry trendsetter.

It was also named by the readers of the highly respected Condé Nast Traveller as Best Airline in the World outside the US.

The AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards program combines four major international industry and government safety audits, with another 12 key criteria that include: fleet age, passenger ratings, profitability, investment rating and key product offerings.

The judging panel said: “Air New Zealand came out number one -or equal first – in all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance.”

AWARD CATEGORY: Airline With The Best First Class
Singapore Airlines wins best First Class experience

This award has been by won by Singapore Airlines whose name is a consistent winner of awards over the past decades synonymous with excellence of in-flight product.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Business Class
Virgin Australia wins Best Business Class

Virgin Australia has taken out this much sought-after award for the second year running with its “The Business” suite which can be argued is more First Class than Business Class.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Premium Economy
Air New Zealand wins Best Premium Economy

Air New Zealand has won Best Premium Economy once again for its leadership in this class. The airline is continually innovating in all cabins and this has resulted in higher yields as passengers upgrade their travel experience.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Economy
Korean Air wins Best Economy Airline

Korean Air is a clear winner with its Economy Class which features 18-inch wide seats at an industry high 33-34-inch seat pitch on its A380s, 777s, and 787s.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Cabin Crew
Singapore Airlines wins Best Cabin Crew

Best Cabin Crew award has been won by Singapore Airlines with its Singapore Girl and their outstanding commitment to service.

For decades the Singapore Girl has been the face of the airline.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Catering
Qantas Airways wins for Best Catering Services

Qantas has again taken out this award for the fourth year running. Its commitment not only to premium dining but to economy travel which makes up 90 percent of passengers is industry leading.

READ: Qantas a big winner

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Lounges
Qantas Airways selected for Best Lounges

Another win for Australia’s Qantas. Its lounges have become an institution down-under and Qantas’ overseas offerings are also an industry benchmark.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best In-Flight Entertainment
Emirates wins for Best In-Flight Entertainment

Emirates, which was one of the pioneers of IFE, wins AirlineRatings.com Best IFE award. The airline has an IFE product that few airlines equal.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Domestic Class
Qantas wins for Best Domestic Class

In an era where domestic offerings are becoming leaner both in the US and Europe Australia’s Qantas’s domestic in-flight product is a standout and in many cases, matches or exceeds international service.

AWARD CATEGORY: Regional Airline Of The Year
Aegean Airlines wins Regional Airline of the Year

Athens based Aegean Airlines has taken out this award for delivering a first-class experience on routes around Europe and is now stretching its legs.

AWARD CATEGORY: Most Improved Airline
Tianjin Airlines wins Most Improved Airline

This has been won by Tianjin Airlines in China. This airline is turning heads wherever it goes and it is now flying well beyond China and delivering a superb product at very affordable prices.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Ultra-Low-Cost Airline
VietJetair.com wins Ultra-Low-Cost Airline 

A new award, taken out by Vietnam’s VietJetAir.com , celebrates a new breed of airlines that offer extraordinary value to passengers, while not compromising on product or service.

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Long-Haul Airline
2018 Best Long-Haul Airline Winners

AirlineRatings.com Best Long-Haul Airline awards have been won by: Etihad (Middle East/Africa), Korean Air (Asia/Pacific), Virgin Atlantic (Europe) and Air Canada (The Americas).

AWARD CATEGORY: Best Low-Cost Airline
2018 Best Low-Cost Airline Winners

AirlineRatings.com winners are Westjet (The Americas), Scoot (Asia/Pacific) and Norwegian (Europe).

AirlineRatings.com has announced its Airline Excellence Awards and it’s Top Ten airlines for 2018.

Heading the list is Air New Zealand followed by Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines.

To be named in the top ten, airlines must achieve a seven-star safety rating and demonstrate leadership in innovation for passenger comfort.

AirlineRatings.com developed its unique seven-star rating system after two years of evaluation and consultation with the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The editors of AirlineRatings.com, some of the most experienced and awarded, look for a consistent level of service, innovation and staff engagement from each major contender.

The Airlineratings.com judging team said: “We are looking for leadership and airlines that innovate to make a real difference to the passenger experience, particularly in economy class.”

“In our evaluation, we will also consider the audited website feedback from passengers on our website and other reputable sites such as CNTraveller.com.”

While Air New Zealand again topped the rankings, it is being pressed by Australia’s Qantas and Singapore Airlines, which are both rolling out new aircraft such as Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s as well as significant revamps of in-flight product.

Moving into 4th spot is Virgin Australia with Virgin Atlantic in the fifth spot.

Both in their own markets have been taking giant strides with Virgin Australia’s new business class turning heads.

In Europe Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight product and service is a clear leader.

In 6th position, Etihad Airways continues its leading role in global aviation with magnificent product throughout the cabins.

In 7th position, All Nippon Airways continues its leading role of Japanese aviation.

In the 8th position is Korean Air which has evolved as the leading airline in Korea.

At number nine is Cathay Pacific Airways while at number 10 is Japanese carrier Japan Airlines. These two airlines are bywords for operational excellence and professionalism and two of the world’s most respected carriers.

‘’Whether number 1 or number 10 these airlines are the best of the best – the elite in aviation,” said the judging team. “They are the trendsetters and the benchmark by which all others are judged.”

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