And the Airline of the Year for 2016 is…

Melbourne: Air New Zealand has been named Airline of the Year for 2016 by AirlineRatings.com for the third consecutive year.

The Airline was awarded for its in-flight innovations, record-breaking financial performance, operational safety and environmental leadership, News.com.au reports.

The national airline of New Zealand was also awarded the Best Premium Economy Class and Best Economy Class.

Geoffrey Thomas, Airline ratings .com Editor-in-Chief, said that Air New Zealand was an airline of first choice and given the airline’s location and the country’s size, its performance was stunning.

Thomas said that Air New Zealand’s focus on its staff had resulted in outstanding performance right across the airline at every touch point, adding that the airline’s innovation continued to impress, including the recently launched tracking of unaccompanied children.

Etihad Airways was named Best First Class for its new upgraded product and Singapore airline.html”>Airlines won Best Business Class and Best In-Flight Entertainment categories.(ANI)