'Condé Nast' award for Air New Zealand
02 Sep 2010
Air New Zealand has swept up another prestigious award - chosen by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller.
New Zealand’s national air carrier was named the favourite ‘long-haul leisure airline’ in the Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Travel Awards 2010.
Readers chose Air New Zealand because of its excellent food / catering and child-friendliness.
This has been a golden year for the airline - it has so far picked up the Air Transport World ‘Airline of the Year’ award (considered the Oscars of the aviation industry), two Skytrax accolades and won ‘Best Airline’ at the 2010 Which? magazine awards.
In the same Condé Nast list, New Zealand was voted the fifth most popular holiday destination by readers because of its environmental friendliness.
NZ’s flag bearer
Air New Zealand is New Zealand’s national airline and operates both domestically and in 14 countries worldwide across Asia, North America, Europe, and the Pacific.
The air carrier began life in 1940 as TEAL, or the Tasman Empire Airways Limited - flying weekly from Auckland to Sydney after WWII. TEAL was bought by the government in 1965 and renamed Air New Zealand.
The symbol on the tail end of Air New Zealand aircraft is the koru - a Māori symbol signifying new life, growth and renewal. The koru design represents an unfurling fern frond.
Lie-flat economy
Over the years, Air New Zealand has come up with some world-first innovations that have seen it trump the competition when it comes to customer service and quality.
Earlier in the year, the airline unveiled the revolutionary, Kiwi-designed ‘Skycouch’ - basically three regular-size economy seats in a row that folds down into a bed, perfect for families with young children or couples who want comfort without the luxury price tag of business class.
Chief executive Rob Fyfe says that the lie-flat seat is part of Air New Zealand's plan to redefine long-haul travel.
"For those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone. The dream is now a reality, one that you can even share with a travelling companion - just keep your clothes on thanks!"
The Skycouch will start operating from early 2011 with fares based on two full-price adult seats and the third at half-price. Air New Zealand is also making over its premium economy and business premier cabins.
Passengers in premium economy will soon be able to share meals and have more legroom with the new ‘spaceseats’, another Kiwi innovation, and business class customers will be able to order meals and drinks on demand - similar to dining at a restaurant.
‘Oscars’ of the industry
Air New Zealand was named 'Airline of the Year' by Air Transport World magazine - the award has been compared to the Oscars by the aviation industry.
Editors of the magazine said that the airline’s leadership role in addressing environmental changes facing the industry, including conducting the world’s first sustainable biofuel flight, its super commitment to customer service and safety and sterling management style made it a shoo-in for the award.
More information
Air New Zealand achieves environmental gold
Air New Zealand greens the sky
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