And the world’s ‘most excellent’ airline is… | CNN

AirlineRatings' top carrier: 10. British Airways —

British Airways makes number 10 on AirlineRatings.com's 2015 best airline list. Earlier this year, UK flag carrier made headlines for trialing a "happiness blanket."

Courtesy British Airways

9. ANA —

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) makes the number nine slot on the best airlines list.

Courtesy All Nippon Airways

8. Lufthansa —

Lufthansa, at number eight, offers limitless internet on 90% of its long-haul flights.

Courtesy Lufthansa

7. EVA air —

At seven, Taiwan's EVA Air was also named for excellence in long haul travel. The airline's Hello Kitty themed planes include pillows, toiletries and food featuring the Sanrio cartoon.

Courtesy Eva Air

6. Singapore Airlines —

Singapore Airlines lands at sixth place in AirlineRating.com's top 10. The airline's business class features an inclined-flat seat (with a gentle 8-degree incline) and a fixed back shell that offers enhanced privacy.

Courtesy Singapore Airlines

5. Emirates —

Emirates hits the number five position. It also wins the Best In-Flight Entertainment award for a system that allows passengers to play a range of games and access more than 1,800 channels of movies, music hits and TV shows.

Courtesy Emirates

4. Qantas —

At number four, Qantas also scoops awards for Best Domestic Service, Best Catering and Best Lounges. AirlineRatings also gave it a special commendation for its safety record.

Courtesy Quantas

3. Cathay Pacific —

Cathay Pacific makes the number three position in the best airline list. It is also named Best Business Class.

Courtesy Cathay Pacific

2. Etihad —

In second place in the best airlines list, Etihad also wins the Best First Class award for a service that features a luxury changing room, personal wardrobe and private suite. Etihad also wins the Excellence in Long Haul Travel award.

Courtesy Etihad

1. Air New Zealand —

Air New Zealand ranks the top on AirlineRating's 2015 "airline excellence" chart for its reputation as a "trendsetter." This is the second year in a row the airline has scooped the Airline of the Year prize.

Courtesy Air New Zealand

And the world's top 10 best airlines are...

Story highlights

AirlineRating.com named Air New Zealand the world's best airline for its in-flight innovations

Best First Class award goes to Etihad, which has a luxury changing room

Qantas was honored for Best Domestic Service, Best Catering and Best Lounge

CNN —

Hobbits might not need the extra legroom, but they know a good airline when they see one.

Air New Zealand, the carrier that has regularly pressed the diminutive denizens of Middle Earth into service in its advertising campaigns, has been named the world’s best airline.

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Australia-based safety assessment website AirlineRatings.com says the airline came top of its 2015 “airline excellence” chart because of its reputation as a “trendsetter.”

It also led the website’s top 10 airlines for 2015.

This is the second year in a row the airline has scooped the Airline of the Year prize.

AirlineRatings said Air New Zealand had been honored for “its award winning in-flight innovations, record financial performance, operational safety and motivation of its staff.”

The 75-year-old airline was also praised for its “commitment to a young, technologically-advanced fleet and its continual focus on the environment.”

It was also presented with AirlineRatings’ Best Premium Economy Class award.

“Quite simply Air New Zealand is an airline of first choice. And given the airline’s location and the country’s size its performance is even more remarkable,” Geoffrey Thomas, the agency’s chief editor, said.

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Outstanding efforts

Air New Zealand’s chief executive officer, Christopher Luxon, said the award recognized the “outstanding efforts” of his airline’s 11,000 staff.

Multiple prizes were also doled out for down-under flyer Qantas – honored for Best Domestic Service, Best Catering and Best Lounges, with a special commendation for its safety record.

Etihad Airways scooped Best First Class, Cathay Pacific took the Best Business Class prize, Thai Airways got Best Economy Class, while Best In-Flight Entertainment went to Emirates.

Virgin Australia won the Best Cabin Crew prize for its outstanding staff.

Prizes in the “low cost airline sector” were given to U.S. carrier JetBlue, Norwegian in Europe and Kulula.com and Scoot in Asia.

Lan Chile, Etihad and EVA Air were named for excellence in long haul travel.

As yet, there are no awards for airlines flying to Middle Earth.

AirlineRatings.com’s top 10 airlines for 2015

1. Air New Zealand;

2. Etihad

3. Cathay Pacific

4. Qantas

5. Emirates

6. Singapore Airlines

7. EVA Air

8. Lufthansa

9. All Nippon Airways

10. British Airways