Air New Zealand Takes the Top Position in Asia-Pacific Route

New Zealand based airline group Air New Zealand (AIZ), which offers public and cargo transportation in the domestic and international arena (including Australia, Asia, North America and Europe) has managed to beat Qantas and V Australia to become the best airline of the Australia-Pacific route. The New Zealand based airliner took the fifth place in the annual Skytrax awards this year where around 18 million people voted to select the best performers of the industry. Qantas Airways, one of the leading air transportation companies lost their position for the second time in a row moving down to the seventh place from sixth this year. Qantas took the third position during the year 2008.

In the list of top ten in Skytrax's Airline of the Year Award, Korea based Asiana Airlines was selected for the top award this year which was followed by the Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand took the fourth and fifth position respectively in the list followed by Etihad Airways, Qantas Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines.

Qantas picked up the worldwide gong for the best premium economy seat as well as for the best premium economy class taking the third place in the first class cabin category and second in the first class lounge category. Etihad and Singapore Airlines took the first and second position in the first class cabin category where in case of first class lounge, Thai International was judged as the best service provider. Qantas took the top position in the business class category which was followed by Singapore and Etihad. Singapore Airlines won the top position for the cabin stuff. Malaysia Airways and Asiana took the second and third position respectively in this sector. In the “most improved carrier” category, Garuda Indonesia received the top award while Emirates was named for the award for best in-flight entertainment.