The best airlines and lounges in the world

Deputy Editor - Business·NZ Herald·

22 Jun, 2017 02:54 AM2 mins to read

The outdoor terrace in the Star Alliance lounge at Los Angeles Airport. Photo / Grant Bradley

Under-siege Qatar Airways has been named the world's best airline and the Air New Zealand-operated Star Alliance lounge at Los Angeles has won in the World Airline Awards.

The Star Alliance lounge in the Tom Bradley terminal won the best airline alliance lounge title at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, voted by passengers.

It is the third year running the lounge has taken the top award.

Air New Zealand manages the lounge at LAX on a day-to-day basis and this includes having an Air New Zealand manager on duty.

The 675sqm space is used by around a dozen Star Alliance carriers.

The lounge offers a bar area for socialising, a library space, a den, a study and a media room and has eight shower rooms.

It also has an open air terrace which with panoramic views of the northern runway towards Hollywood Hills. This space provides passengers with an unparalleled sensory experience, complete with fire pits and a water wall.

Air New Zealand said it offers a variety of globally inspired dishes and beverages as well as New Zealand wines throughout the year (alongside other international wines) and from time to time provide Kiwi-inspired dishes including bacon and egg pies, kiwifruit smoothies and lolly cake.

Qatar Airways was named the best airline in the world for the fourth time. The airline - which is facing a blockade from some of its Middle Eastern neighbours - also won the World's Best Business Class, the World's Best First Class Lounge and as the Best Airline in the Middle East.

The World Airline Awards are managed by international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax Research of London.

The latest survey was conducted between August 2016 and May 2017, attracting 19.87 million eligible entries with participants from 105 nationalities. The survey covered over 325 airlines.