Air NZ takes top spot in ratings site awards

Air NZ has been named airline of the year by AirlineRatings.com for the fifth year in a row. The awards, judged by 6 editors with over 180 years' industry experience, combines major safety and govt audits with 12 key criteria - up from 9 last year - that include fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings and staff relations. "In our objective analysis Air NZ came out No 1 in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance," said AirlineRatings' editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Thomas. Air NZ CE Christopher Luxon said the award was testament to the huge effort from the airline's staff to deliver a world-class Kiwi experience on the ground and in the air. Last month the airline was named top airline in the world by luxury lifestyle and travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. <br/>