Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic were awarded Best Cabin Crew in AirlineRatings.com's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airlineratings.com%2Fnews%2F615%2Fworlds-best-airlines-for-2016" target="_blank" target="_blank">2016 Airline Excellence Awards</a>. AirlineRatings.com praises them as a "benchmark of what cabin service should be."
Best Cabin Crew —
Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic were awarded Best Cabin Crew in AirlineRatings.com's 2016 Airline Excellence Awards. AirlineRatings.com praises them as a "benchmark of what cabin service should be."
Courtesy of Virgin/AirlineRatings.com
Air New Zealand was voted Airline of the Year for the third year in a row. It scored points for innovations like the Economy Skycouch (pictured): a row of three economy seats with footrests that lift to create a flexible space.
Airline of the Year 2016 —
Air New Zealand was voted Airline of the Year for the third year in a row. It scored points for innovations like the Economy Skycouch (pictured): a row of three economy seats with footrests that lift to create a flexible space.
Courtesy Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand also won awards for Best Economy and Best Premium Economy (pictured). AirlineRatings.com's Geoffrey Thomas says: "The airline has rolled out some stunning new technology including innovative tracking of unaccompanied children and a wonderful app to get you a perfect cup of coffee before your flight."
Best Premium Economy Class —
Air New Zealand also won awards for Best Economy and Best Premium Economy (pictured). AirlineRatings.com's Geoffrey Thomas says: "The airline has rolled out some stunning new technology including innovative tracking of unaccompanied children and a wonderful app to get you a perfect cup of coffee before your flight."
Courtesy of Air New Zealand/AirlineRatings.com
Qantas scored a hat trick with three wins in this year's Airline Excellence Award, including Best Domestic Service. It was runner-up to Air New Zealand as the airline of the year.
Best Domestic Service —
Qantas scored a hat trick with three wins in this year's Airline Excellence Award, including Best Domestic Service. It was runner-up to Air New Zealand as the airline of the year.
Courtesy of Qantas/AirlineRatings.com
Having been an industry leader when it installed showers in its lounges some decades ago, Qantas won fresh praise from AirlineRatings.com for its robust broadband Internet access -- something other airlines' lounges fell down on.
Best Lounges —
Having been an industry leader when it installed showers in its lounges some decades ago, Qantas won fresh praise from AirlineRatings.com for its robust broadband Internet access -- something other airlines' lounges fell down on.
Courtesy of Qantas/AirlineRatings.com
Qantas won Best Catering for the second year in a row. It offers four main meal options in economy class and customers can order online ahead of the flight.
Best Catering —
Qantas won Best Catering for the second year in a row. It offers four main meal options in economy class and customers can order online ahead of the flight.
Courtesy of Qantas/AirlineRatings.com
Relative newcomer Etihad Airways has impressed with its premium offerings, which AirlineRatings.com says has made it a "major force in the airline industry." It won Best First Class and Best Long Haul (Middle East/Africa).
Best First Class and Best Long Haul (Middle East/Africa) —
Relative newcomer Etihad Airways has impressed with its premium offerings, which AirlineRatings.com says has made it a "major force in the airline industry." It won Best First Class and Best Long Haul (Middle East/Africa).
Courtesy of Etihad Airways/AirlineRatings.com
"Subtle, elegant, functional and very cozy" is AirlineRatings.com's verdict on Singapore Airlines' revamped business offering. "The airline has always listened to its customers and it shows again and again."
Best Business Class —
"Subtle, elegant, functional and very cozy" is AirlineRatings.com's verdict on Singapore Airlines' revamped business offering. "The airline has always listened to its customers and it shows again and again."
Courtesy of Singapore Airlines/AirlineRatings.com
Singapore Airlines was an inflight entertainment pioneer in the '90s, when it fitted out all its economy seats with the IFE system it calls KrisWorld. It now offers 1,000 on-demand options.
Best In-Flight Entertainment —
Singapore Airlines was an inflight entertainment pioneer in the '90s, when it fitted out all its economy seats with the IFE system it calls KrisWorld. It now offers 1,000 on-demand options.
Courtesy of Singapore Airlines/AirlineRatings.com
Thomas says that Virgin Australia has "taken what matters to customers and given it a touch of luxury." Originally named Virgin Blue, the airline has been in service since 2000.
Best New World Carrier —
Thomas says that Virgin Australia has "taken what matters to customers and given it a touch of luxury." Originally named Virgin Blue, the airline has been in service since 2000.
Courtesy of Virgin/AirlineRatings.com
AirlineRatings.com's Geoffrey Thomas says that Delta Air Lines is emerging as "a new force in international travel with new energy, in-flight product and new aircraft."
Best Long Haul Airlines (Americas) —
AirlineRatings.com's Geoffrey Thomas says that Delta Air Lines is emerging as "a new force in international travel with new energy, in-flight product and new aircraft."
Courtesy of Delta Airlines/AirlineRatings.com