Air New Zealand has won the top spot in two categories in Conde Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Photo / Marty Melville
Air New Zealand has won the top spot in two categories in Conde Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Photo / Marty Melville
Air New Zealand has taken out the top spot in two categories, including best airline in the world, in the Conde Nast Traveller 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The luxury UK-based travel magazine’s annual awards released its list of winners on October 1, with more than 575,000 readers from theUK casting their vote based on overall satisfaction across several categories, providing a rating on a scale of 100 points.
The national carrier was named the best airline in the world for the second time since it last won in 2017. It boasted a rating of 89.08, closely followed by Singapore Airlines in second place with a rating of 88.47, and in third place Qatar Airways, rating 87.11.
On the achievement, Air NZ chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said the airline was “thrilled” to receive the recognition and attributed the award to its employees.
“The achievement belongs to our incredible team who go above and beyond every day to deliver an exceptional flying experience,” she said.
Air NZ was also dubbed better than the rest for in-flight meals, winning best airline for food.
Conde Nast Traveller editors said the airline’s regional premium menu Taste of Aotearoa — which includes seared snapper, smoked kahawai rillette — earned it “top marks for food”.
A sample in-flight meal on Air New Zealand's Premium Economy. Photo / Air New Zealand
Geraghty said the company had placed a lot of attention on “elevating” its on-board food offering during the past year.
“We work hard to bring fresh and interesting food to our customers onboard. Our Taste of Aotearoa menu is an opportunity to spotlight the unique flavours of Aotearoa, championing the regions, and it’s a privilege to showcase the best our country has to offer and share that with the world.”
“We’re also proud to serve wine exclusively from New Zealand throughout the aircraft, and an incredible selection of New Zealand-produced spirits and craft beer,” she said.
