Air NZ dethroned as world’s best airline

Air New Zealand’s reign as the world’s best airline has been ended by Qatar Airways. That’s according to the Airlineratings.com Airline Excellence Awards, which measures a range of criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, and product offerings. Air NZ has won the title six times but drops to second behind Qatar. Air NZ did win Best Long-haul Airline Pacific, Best Premium Economy, and Best Economy. Airlineratings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said Air NZ punched way above its weight globally. In crowning Qatar the winner, the awards highlighted the airline’s commitment to keeping the world’s air routes open during Covid-19.