Air New Zealand's premium economy seats named best in the world

A passenger browses the entertainment selection in Air New Zealand's premium economy. Photo / Nick Reed

The airline's business class seats also received accolades in the list compiled by website AirlineRatings.com.

Air New Zealand premium economy seats have been ranked the best in the world, followed by its business class seats in second place.

Virgin Australia took out the top spot for its business class seats, Etihad Airways for first class seats and Singapore Airlines for its economy class seats, according to global product and safety website AirlineRatings.com.

Crowned the best airline overall in the world, Air New Zealand's spacious economy cabin class took sixth place in the awards.

The rankings were based on space allotted to passengers, innovations in each class and product and safety reviews by experts and consumers.

AirlineRatings.com's editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas told the Daily Mail that Air New Zealand's premium economy seats had "shown better than any other airline that passengers will pay more if the product is right and priced accordingly".

"Its efforts in this space are a lesson to all airlines that passengers want better and are prepared to pay," Thomas said.

Last month Air New Zealand was named the best airline in the world for the fourth consecutive year in the global rankings.

The national carrier was honoured for its in-flight innovations, financial performance, environmental leadership and its commitment to a young fleet.

Judge Thomas said: "In our objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance."

The 2017 awards were based on which airline ranked the top overall, and highlighted the best entertainment, catering and cabin crew worldwide.

Premium Economy:

1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas Airways
3. Virgin Australia
4. Virgin Atlantic
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Cathay Pacific
7. EVA Air
8. Lufthansa
9. All Nippon Airways
10. British Airways

Business Class:

1. Virgin Australia
2. Air New Zealand
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Etihad Airways
5. Qantas Airways
6. Emirates
7. Cathay Pacific
8. Virgin Atlantic
9. All Nippon Airways
10. Japan Airways

Economy:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Korean Airlines
3. EVA Air
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Qantas Airways
6. Air New Zealand
7. Japan Airlines
8. Virgin Australia
9. Etihad Airways
10. All Nippon Airways

First Class:

1. Etihad
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
4. Qantas Airways
5. Cathay Pacific
6. Air France
7. British Airways
8. All Nippon Airways
9. Lufthansa
10. Korean Airlines