Air New Zealand has been crowned airline of the year for the fifth consecutive year by AirlineRatings.com.
The carrier flew to the top of the rankings thanks to its "continued record-breaking financial performance, in-flight innovations, environmental leadership, young fleet, and motivation of its staff".
The ratings site, which ranks a number of criteria including carriers' safety record, fleet age, and passenger reviews, said the combination of which made Air New Zealand a formidable name and "an industry trendsetter".
Top 10 airlines for 2018
1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Virgin Australia
5. Virgin Atlantic
6. Etihad Airways
7. All Nippon Airways
8. Korean Air
9. Cathay Pacific Airways
10. Japan Airlines
Among the other airlines named best in the world for 2018, Singapore Airlines came top for First Class experience, while Virgin Australia took the prize for best Business Class.
To be named in the top 10 overall, airlines had to achieve a seven-star safety rating, as well as demonstrate they were ahead of the crowd for passenger comfort. The website considers audited website feedback from passengers, as well as on other sites.
“They are the trendsetters and the benchmark by which all others are judged," AirlineRatings said of the top 10 arilines.
And if you're on the lookout for an airline that's doing particularly well in a certain area, whether it be impressive Business Class, or on-flight food which isn't dire, here are the carriers which came up top:
Air New Zealand - Airline of the year
Singapore Airlines - Best First Class
Virgin Australia - Best Business Class
Air New Zealand - Best Premium Economy
Korean Air - Best Economy
Singapore Airlines - Best cabin crew
Qantas Airways - Best catering
Qantas Airways - Best lounges
Emirates - Best in-flight entertainment
Qantas - Best domestic class
Aegean Airlines - Regional airline of the year
Tianjin Airlines - Most improved airline of the year
VietJetair.com - Best ultra-low cost airline