Doha-based Qatar Airways has won top airline at the Skytrax awards for the third time in five years. Photo / Getty
Doha-based Qatar Airways has won top airline at the Skytrax awards for the third time in five years. Photo / Getty
Qatar Airways has won top airline at the Skytrax awards announced in Paris.
Air New Zealand, which is 17th in the overall ranking, made a clean sweep in the Premium Economy Class section - taking the top prizes for seat and catering.
Nearly 19 million passengers in 110 countries across the globe vote on the awards which cover a range of features from food to seat comfort and the cabin crew friendliness. The surveys measure standards across 41 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service.
The 2014-15 has been something of a "landmark year" for the airline, having moved to a new home at Hamad International Airport, as well as getting Airbus A380s and the new A350XWB into its fleet.
Qatar Airways were also named Best Airline in the Middle East.
"This remains one of the most competitive regions in the survey with both Emirates and Etihad also securing top-10 places in the worldwide ranking."
Air New Zealand's chief marketing and customer officer, Mike Tod, said the accolades were something that all staff could be proud of.
In addition to the Premium Economy awards, the Air New Zealand managed Star Alliance Los Angeles lounge won 'Best Airline Alliance Lounge'.
Qantas won the best airline in Australia / Pacific award for the third consecutive year.
Singapore Airlines was the best airline in Asia and Etihad Airways won best first class cabin and best first class catering.
* Air New Zealand says its Premium Economy will soon be available on its Tasman, Pacific Island and Bali services.
Chief sales and commercial officer Cam Wallace said although the carrier has been operating twin aisle wide body aircraft on short haul routes for some time, the mix of aircraft flying these routes has made it difficult to offer Premium Economy as a product.
"With the arrival of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, refurbishment of our Boeing 777-200 fleet and exit of the Boeing 747-400, we now have a consistent Premium Economy offering across our twin aisle wide body fleet.''
Professional surfers Mick Fanning (left) and Gabriel Medina, who feature in the new Air NZ in-flight video, showcasing the new Premium Economy Spaceseat.
Top ten airlines of 2015
1 Qatar Airways 2 Singapore Airlines 3 Cathay Pacific Airways 4 Turkish Airlines 5 Emirates 6 Etihad Airways 7 ANA All Nippon Airways 8 Garuda Indonesia 9 EVA Air 10 Qantas Airways (17 Air New Zealand)
You'll find the world's best cabin staff on a Garuda Indonesia flight. Photo / Screenshot from Garuda Indonesia website
World's Best Cabin Staff
1 Garuda Indonesia 2 Cathay Pacific 3 Singapore Airlines 4 Asiana Airlines 5 Malaysia Airlines 6 Qatar Airways 7 EVA Air 8 ANA All Nippon Airways 9 Thai Airways 10 Hainan Airlines
