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(CNN) - It is a country characterized by sandy beaches, amazing glaciers, impressive mountain ranges, and an industry-leading airline.
Air New Zealand is the airline of the year by 2020, according to AirlineRatings.com, the Australian-based aviation security and products rating agency.
AirlineRatings.com says the airline's record performance and innovations on its flights, not to mention its safety record and the motivation of the staff, led to the victory.
By retaking the number one position, which last year went to Singapore Airlines, this is the sixth time that Air New Zealand has won this recognition.
The airline excellence awards cover the best of the aviation world, recognizing the most elegant VIP lounges, the best first-class cabins and the most exciting entertainment on board.
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"In our analysis, Air New Zealand came out number one in most of our criteria, which is an outstanding performance when facing operators with more resources and scale," says Geoffrey Thomas, editor in chief of AirlineRatings.com.
Courtesy Qantas
Innovation and sustainability
Last year, airlines struggled to get ultra long-haul flights and to evaluate the carbon footprint left by their routes.
Thomas tells CNN Travel that the age of the Air New Zealand fleet was what helped consolidate the airline's ecological status.
"In the last 10 years, the airline has reduced fuel consumption and, therefore, carbon emissions by almost 22%, above the industry average," he explains.
"The airline has pioneered a series of important industry initiatives, such as biofuels and more efficient flight routes, as well as a series of improvements on land, such as electric vehicles."
The AirlineRatings.com awards are judged by seven experienced editors who use international industry and government safety audits, along with 12 key criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, investment qualifications, staff relationships, offers of products and profitability.
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Qantas, currently in the middle of a series of test flights for its 19-hour stretch from London to Sydney, ranked number four in the overall ranking, but also received applause for the best national airline service and the best salons.
However, the airline did not win the award for excellence in long-distance travel.
Instead, Delta Air Lines ranked first in America, Lufthansa took recognition in Europe, Emirates won in the Middle East and Africa and Cathay Pacific Airways took the title in Asia-Pacific.
The winner of 2018, Singapore Airlines, got Best First Class this year.
Emirates Courtesy of AirlineRatings.com
"The editors said the competition for first place was tight, because Singapore Airlines, Qantas and All Nippon Airways had just arrived at the post," says Thomas.
As for the budget options, JetBlue won the Best low-cost airline in the Americas, Wizz won in Europe, Air Arabia in the Middle East and Africa and Air Asia won for Asia-Pacific.
These are the 10 best AirlineRatings.com 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
Airlines
