Outperforming Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand Becomes The Best Aviation Airline Ratings

Air Fleet New Zealand. (Wikimedia Commons/Phillip Capper)

JAKARTA - Air New Zealand is the world's best airline in 2023 according to Airline Ratings, the aviation safety and product ranking website.

The Kiwi airline was able to 'coup' the position of Qatar Airways, which for two years held the top position, down to second position.

Praised for its operational safety, its commitment to make flights more sustainable and its friendly staff, this is the seventh time Air New Zealand has been the best.

The airline also received praise for the innovation in its flight, especially Skynest's economical flats. Planned to launch on long-distance flights starting September next year, this sleeping pod will be the world's first three-story flattened bed on a commercial airline.

"Like all airlines around the world, Air New Zealand is facing severe disruption during and after the pandemic and this year the biggest challenge from storms and typhoons. The airline has responded well. Our editorial team is impressed by airline commitments to economic passengers and on long-range flights offering more comfort options than other airlines," said Airline Editor-in-Chief Ratings Geoffrey Thomas, as reported by The National News May 31.

Despite dropping to second overall, the Gulf airline maintained its position as the best business-class airline for four consecutive years.

Not only that, but Qatar Airways also won an award for catering on the best flight.

Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates (UAE) airline Etihad Airways managed to rank third. The airline was praised for its commitment to making flights more environmentally friendly, which is a benchmark for the aviation industry, according to Thomas.

"Etihad Airways has shown its leadership in encouraging sustainable flights with the Greenliner Boeing 787 program and last year with the Sustainability 50, A350 aircraft," he explained.

"In every aspect, staff and management of Etihad Airways are committed to reducing the footprint of CO2 airlines and that is seen. The garnering phrase is 'a million things are taken into account' in reducing emissions and thus the focus is on spending everything. The 2021-2022 airline sustainability report shows potential progress that must be made in sustainable flights through various initiatives, coordinated to achieve a 20 percent reduction in emissions intensity in its passenger fleet by 2025, to cut net emissions by 50 percent by 2035, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050", he explained.

Korean Airlines and Singapore Airlines completed the list of the top five best airlines in the world by 2023, with Singapore airlines also taking home awards for having the best first-class cabins in the world.

For another category award, Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic won the airline award with the most friendly crew. Meanwhile, Qantas Australia has been named the best lounge airline for travelers.

Meanwhile, Emirates, who has just announced penvelope Cruz as its newest ambassador and is ranked tenth, won awards for entertainment in the world's best flights and the best premium economic cabin.

1. Air New Zealand

2. Qatar Airways

3. Etihad Airways

4. Korean Air

5. Singapore Airlines

6. Qantas

7. Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic

8. EVA Air

9. Cathay Pacific Airways

10. Emirates

11. Lufthansa / Switzerland

12. SAS

13. TAP Portugal

14. All Nippon Airways

15. Delta Air Lines

16. Air Canada

17. British Airways

18. Blue Jet

19. JAL

20. Vietnam Airlines