Air New Zealand has been named world's best airline for the third consecutive year by AirlineRatings.com.
The airline won for its "award winning in-flight innovations, record-breaking financial performance, operational safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff," according to the Airline Excellence Awards.
AirlineRatings.com is an Australia-based safety and product rating website that rates the safety and in flight product of 450 airlines.
AirlineRatings.com top 10 airlines for 2016
1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Etihad
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Emirates
7. EVA Air
8. Virgin Atlantic/Virgin Australia
9. All Nippon Airways
10. Lufthansa
The 2016 Airline Excellence Awards also saw Air New Zealand awarded Best Premium Economy Class and Best Economy Class.
"Air New Zealand is an airline of first choice and given the airline's location and the country's size, its performance is stunning," said Airlineratings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas.
Other awards saw Etihad Airways win Best First Class for a new upgraded product unveiled late last year, while Singapore Airlines picked up Best Business Class.
Virgin America (The Americas), Scoot (Asia/Pacific), Kulula.com (Middle-East/Africa) and Norwegian (Europe) won the Best Low Cost Airline awards.
Etihad (Middle East/Africa), Cathay Pacific Airways (Asia/Pacific), Lufthansa (Europe) and Delta Air Lines (The Americas) took the Best Long-Haul awards.
Neither Ryanair nor Aer Lingus featured among the winners.
Australian carrier Qantas won several awards for its lounges, catering and domestic services, while Singapore Airlines won Best In-Flight Entertainment.
The Best Cabin Crew award was won by Virgin Australia along with partner airline Virgin Atlantic for the second year running.
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