The world’s best airlines for 2020

Air New Zealand reigns supreme

Air New Zealand is the world's best airline (Getty Images)

Air New Zealand is the world’s best airline for 2020, according to a new ranking.

The AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards judge airlines based on major safety and government audits alongside 12 key criteria, including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings, and staff relations.

The Kiwi flag carrier knocked Singapore Airlines, last year’s winner, off the top spot due to inflight innovations, environmental leadership and staff motivation.

It’s the sixth time Air New Zealand has won the title.

Although it lost the crown, Singapore Airlines came in second after introducing its new A350 and 787-10 over the last two years, along with revamped A380s.

Japan's All Nippon Airways claimed third place, hailed for being at the forefront of cabin innovation.

Rounding out the top five were Qantas, praised for its financial performance, lounge and domestic services, and Cathay Pacific.

As well as naming the world’s top 20 airlines, AirlineRatings.com also gives out separate awards across 13 categories.

Air New Zealand picked up the Best Premium Economy award alongside its overall title.

Singapore Airlines took the Best First Class award for its Suites product, found at the front of the upper deck on the airline’s flagship Airbus A380s and designed to feel like small hotel rooms.

The Best Catering and Best Business Class awards went to Qatar Airways thanks to its Qsuites.

Australia’s Qantas won two awards: Best Domestic Airline Service and Best Lounges.

Virgin Australia won Best Economy for an “extremely spacious cabin that sets it apart from many airlines”, plus Best Cabin Crew.

Best Inflight Entertainment was awarded to Emirates, while the Most Improved Airline award went to Cebu Pacific.

VietJet took the Best Ultra Low-Cost airline award for the third year running.

Awards were also given for the Best Long Haul and Best Low Cost airlines in Europe, the Americas, Middle-East/Africa and Asia.

Airline Ratings editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said: “In our analysis, Air New Zealand came out number one in most of our audit criteria, which is an outstanding performance when it’s up against carriers with more resources and scale on this same list of best airlines for 2020.

“Air New Zealand’s commitment to excellence in all facets of its business starts at the top with outstanding governance and one of the best executive teams in aviation through to a workforce that is delivering consistently to the airline’s strategy and customer promise.”

The 20 best airlines for 2020

1. Air New Zealand
2. Singapore Airlines 
3. All Nippon Airways 
4. Qantas 
5. Cathay Pacific 
6. Emirates 
7. Virgin Atlantic 
8. EVA Air 
9. Qatar Airways 
10. Virgin Australia 
11. Lufthansa 
12. Finnair 
13. Japan Airlines 
14. KLM 
15. Korean Airlines 
16. Hawaiian Airlines 
17. British Airways 
18. Alaska Airlines 
19. Delta Air Lines 
20. Etihad Airways

Best Airlines for Long Haul

Delta Air Lines (Americas)

Lufthansa (Europe)

Emirates (Middle East/Africa)

Cathay Pacific Airways (Asia)

Best Low-Cost Airlines

JetBlue (Americas)

Wizz (Europe)

AirAsia/AirAsia X (Asia/Pacific)

Air Arabia (Middle-East/Africa)