PHOTO:WIKIPEDIA
Air New Zealand has been crowned best airline in the world for the
fourth consecutive year, with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also
rated in the top 10 in the global rankings.
Etihad’s opulent suites secured the carrier the accolade for best
first-class cabin but for economy cabins, Singapore Airlines scooped the
top prize.
Other winners of the annual Airline Excellence and Top 10 awards
include Virgin Australia, which took the title for best business cabin
and Emirates was praised for offering the best in-flight experience.
The 2017 awards were generated by global product and safety website airlineratings.com, which ranked the top airlines overall, best cabins of each class and highlighted the best entertainment, catering and cabin crew worldwide.
To be named one of the top 10 airlines in the world, carriers have to
show leading innovations in passenger comfort and must have achieved a
seven-star safety status.
Air New Zealand was honoured for the fourth year due to its in-flight
innovations, financial performance and environmental leadership and
commitment to a young fleet, according to the Australia-based website.
AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “In our
objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all
of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance.”
The airline also took the top gong for best premium economy class for
the third time, in a year which has seen investments in a streamlined
and refurbished fleet, a multi-million dollar lounge redevelopment and
three new international routes.
Australian airline, Qantas, scooped the second prize leaping up from fourth place last year.
The airline was praised for its financial turnaround and is set to
take delivery of its first Boeing 787s in 2017. The lie-flat beds on all
of its A330s have ensured a high customer approval rating.
Aviation stalwart Singapore Airlines took third place after
introducing its new premium economy, revamped business class and the new
A350, this past year. It was also awarded a prize for best economy
offering.
The Hong Kong flag carrier, Cathay Pacific, held the fourth spot this
year while Virgin Atlantic/ Virgin Australia moved three places higher,
taking the number five slot. Virgin Australia has introduced its new
business class while Virgin Atlantic reintroduced a number of 787s.
British Airways has stormed into the top 10 at number six following
the introduction of its 787s and A380s while rolling out cabin
enhancements.
A pioneer of luxury, Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways was named
the seventh best airline in the world as it launches new aircraft 777X
and increased its fleet of 787s. It also has 65 A350s on order.
While flyers can opt for The Residence suite, a three bedroom
‘penthouse in the sky’ with its own butler and chef for approximately
$38,000 (£26,000 or N17.1million), the airline’s first-class offering is
also making waves. Etihad won the world’s best first class award.
Japanese carrier, All Nippon Airways, scored eighth place following
the launch of its 777x, while Taiwanese airline Eva Air took the ninth
spot.
Germany’s largest airline Lufthansa held the number 10 spot again this year.
Airlineratings.com developed its seven-star ratings system after two
years of evaluation and the system is now endorsed by the International
Civil Aviation Organisation.
Source:-http://guardian.ng
