World’s best airline for 2023

By Francesca Street, May 31: Its economy lie-flat seating concept is making waves. Now Air New Zealand is officially the airline of the year, at least according to Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com.

AirlineRatings.com cites AirNZ’s intriguing SkyNest economy beds – set to launch in 2024 – as one of the key factors determining its number one spot.

“The airline is always innovating and not content to take off-the-shelf products and seats but go one better,” Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com’s editor-in-chief, told CNN Travel, crediting Air New Zealand’s dedicated design studio and its output. “It’s this focus on the economy travellers’ wellbeing and comfort that impressed the judges.”

AirlineRatings.com also praised Air New Zealand’s operational safety, environmental leadership and staff motivation.

After a couple of years of reduced air travel in the wake of the pandemic, travellers returned to the air in 2022 to significant airline chaos – cancelled flights, lost luggage and overstretched staff.

The result, said Thomas, was an “interesting” year all in all, as “most airlines suffered declines in passenger approvals as the industry struggled to get into the air.”

The jury’s still out on whether this year will see a more stable air travel landscape. And interestingly, while Air New Zealand came out on top for 2023, Thomas said the results were close among the top five.

Qatar Airways, which topped last year’s AirlineRatings.com ranking, came in at number two this year, also winning the Best Business Class, Best Catering and Excellence in Long Haul Travel - Middle East awards.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways is number 3 on AirlineRatings.com’s 2023 list. Korean Air, which also won the Excellence in Long Haul Travel - North Asia award was at number four. Singapore Airlines, named top in the Best First Class award and the Excellence in Long Haul Travel - Southeast Asia award, took fifth place overall.

To produce its rankings, AirlineRatings.com examines significant safety and government audits and examines airline fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings and staff relations. Since the awards launched in 2014, Thomas said scoring and categories have morphed “to reflect the ever-changing dynamics of the industry and customer expectations.”

Air New Zealand is also making headlines this week for other reasons. From now until July 2, 2023, New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority is asking its national airline to weigh passengers departing on international flights from Auckland International Airport.

AirlineRatings.com’s Top 25 Airlines for 2022

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 / Swiss