Air New Zealand named third best airline in the world

Air New Zealand was lauded for its comfortable seats and leg room. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Air New Zealand has been named one of the best airlines in the world by readers of luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

The airline was placed at number three on the magazine's list of the best airlines in the world for 2016, as part of its annual Readers' Choice Awards.

Comfortable seats on longhaul flights helped earn Air New Zealand its accolades, CN Traveler said.

"With some of the longest flights in the world, the Kiwi carier pays close attention to seat comfort; legroom is ample on its widebody," it wrote.

Singapore Airlines was awarded first place, followed by Emirates in second.

A New Zealand lodge was also named on the magazine's 50 best resorts in the world. The intimate 20-room Aro Ha Wellness Retreat in Glenorchy, which overlooks "the otherworldly expanse of Lake Wakatipu", was placed at number 31.

Aro Ha Wellness retreat overlooks 'the otherworldly expanse of Lake Wakatipu'. Photo / Supplied

Auckland's Hotel DeBrett also earned a place on the list of top hotels in Australia and New Zealand, coming in at number four, after Perth's COMO The Treasury, The Langham in Melbourne and Sydney's Old Clare Hotel.

The Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa was the only other New Zealand accomodation to make the list at number eight.

Aro Ha Wellness Retreat made a repeat appearance on the list of best resorts in Australia and the South Pacific, receiving second place after The Brando in French Polynesia.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs was also named at number six.

- nzherald.co.nz