This airline just dethroned Air New Zealand for Airline of the Year 2019

This airline just dethroned Air New Zealand for Airline of the Year 2019

Singapore Airlines just broke Air New Zealand’s five-year streak, after being named AirlineRatings.com’s Airline of the Year for 2019.

The airline is being honoured for the first time for its market leadership in flight service, fancy new aircraft (including the A350 and 787-10), revamped interiors and its new non-stop Singapore to New York service as well as operational safety.

Singapore Airlines suite

Singapore Airlines suite

The AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards, judged by seven editors with over 200 years’ industry experience, combines major safety and government audits, with 12 key criteria that include: fleet age, passenger reviews profitability, investment rating, product offerings, and staff relations.

“For years Singapore Airlines has been the gold standard and now it is back to its best, leading in passenger innovations and new state-of-the-art aircraft models,” said editor-in-chief for AirlineRatings.com, Geoffrey Thomas.

“The editors said that the competition for top spot was tight with Air New Zealand, Qantas Airways and Qatar Airways just being nudged out.”

However, Air New Zealand didn’t go home empty handed, taking out the award for best premium economy and best airline Pacific.

Air New Zealand premium economy

Air New Zealand premium economy

Aussie airlines were also recognised, with Qantas winning best Domestic Airline Service and Best Lounges, while Virgin took out best cabin crew and QantasLink picked up Best Regional Airport.

Virgin Australia Crew

Virgin Australia Crew

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Premium Economy: Air New Zealand

Best Airline (Pacific): Air New Zealand

Best Catering: Qatar Airways

Best Business Class: Qatar Airways

Best Domestic Service: Qantas

Best Lounges: Qantas

Best First Class: Singapore Airlines

Best Economy: Korean Air

Best Cabin Crew: Virgin Australia

Best Airline (Middle East/Africa): Emirates

Best In-flight Entertainment: Emirates

Best Regional Airline: Qantas

Most Improved Airline: Philippine Airlines

Best Low-Cost airline: VietJetAir

Excellence in Long Haul travel: Delta Air Lines (Americas), Lufthansa (Europe), Emirates (Middle-East/Africa) Eva Air (Asia) and Air New Zealand (Pacific.)

Best Low-Cost Airline: Westjet (Americas), Wizz (Europe) and AirAsia / AirAsia X (Asia/Pacific).

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