Air New Zealand named world's best airline in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards
The airline was also ranked second for Business Class, Cabin Crew, Economy Class and Inflight Food. The results were decided by public vote from nominees selected by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY 10BEST editors.
Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Scott Wilkinson says international recognition for the airline also helps put New Zealand in the spotlight.
"When Air New Zealand is recognised internationally, New Zealand is recognised too. We compete for travellers' attention alongside much larger airlines, so awards like these help more people notice us and the country we connect them to.
"International tourism is critical to our strategy and our role to connect New Zealand with the world and help visitors get here. The more people who consider New Zealand, the more opportunity there is for tourism to support businesses and communities around the country."
Wilkinson says the awards also recognise the care Air New Zealanders bring to every journey.
"Our crew go above and beyond to make our customers feel welcome and well looked after. It's great to see their work recognised by travellers around the world."
The recognition for inflight food also reflects Air New Zealand's focus on showcasing the best of New Zealand through its onboard dining experience. The airline continues to build on this offering, most recently introducing new dishes from premium culinary ambassador Josh Emett across its premium cabins, bringing more of New Zealand's ingredients and flavours to the skies.
The results add to recent international recognition for Air New Zealand. Forbes Travel Guide named the airline's Economy Skynest Innovation of the Year in its 2026 Verified Air Travel Awards, and Condé Nast Traveller recognised Skynest as one of its Bright Ideas in Travel for 2026. The World Travel Awards also named Air New Zealand Oceania's Leading Airline 2026 and Oceania's Leading Airline Brand 2026.
Wilkinson says Skynest is an example of New Zealand innovation being recognised on the world stage.
"Skynest is a world-first idea designed around a simple customer need: a better way for Economy travellers to rest on long-haul flights. It shows how we can bring fresh thinking to the travel experience, and it's encouraging to see that recognised internationally."
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Phone: +64 21 747 320
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 9.9 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2024, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com