Etihad Airways has been named environmental airline of the year in the AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards, and has been lauded for setting new standards for the global aviation industry.
“Etihad’s commitment to the cutting of emissions is a new benchmark for the airline industry. Its mantra is ‘a million things matter’ and the staff engagement is amazing,” says Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of AirlineRatings.com.
Etihad Airways slashed its carbon emissions by 56 per cent between 2018 and 2021 as it successfully implemented programmes aimed at establishing a more sustainable business model. In May, it carried out the world’s most intensive sustainable flight-testing programme, completing 42 eco-flights over a five-day period.
The airline's Greenliner programme started in 2019 and Etihad and US industry majors Boeing and General Electric have operated several flights on the 787 Dreamliner jet focusing on plastic-free in-flight products, optimised airspace management, flight deck tools for more eco-friendly take-offs, noise reduction and the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
Etihad also ranked as the third best airline in the world in the annual AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards, which are compiled by global editors with more than 100 years’ industry experience, who use 11 key criteria that include: fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, environmental and safety credentials and product offerings. Emirates also ranked a one of the top 20 airlines for 2022 and was recognised for having the best in-flight entertainment.
Qatar Airways topped the list of top 20 airlines 2022, with Air New Zealand coming in second. The Kiwi airline also picked up the award for best premium economy class and best economy class.
“Air New Zealand’s premium economy class is a standout for legroom and food service, while the airline’s Skycouch in economy class is the industry leader for space and value,” says Thomas.
In another win for regional airlines, Flydubai was named as one of the top ten low cost airlines for 2022. Korean Air was named cargo airline of the year, Singapore Airlines picked up best first class and best lounges, and Virgin Australia once again won best cabin crew.
AirlineRatings.com's top 20 airlines of 2022:
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A Qatar Airways plane prepares to take off at San Francisco International Airport. AP Photo -
Air New Zealand planes wait for passengers at Wellington International Airport. AFP -
Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner gets ready to land at Barcelona airport in Spain. Getty Images -
A Korean Air plane lands as taxis are lined up at the new 'LAX-it' ride-hail passenger pickup lot at Los Angeles International Airport in California. AFP -
A Singapore Airlines plane lands at the international terminal at Sydney Airport in Australia. Reuters -
Qantas planes are seen at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney, Australia. Reuters -
Virgin Australia aircraft sit on the tarmac at Sydney Domestic Airport in Australia. EPA -
A passenger jet of Taiwan's EVA Air at the Taipei Songshan Airport in Taiwan. EPA -
A Turkish Airlines plane lands after resuming domestic flights in Esenboga Airport, Ankara, Turkey. EPA -
Passenger jets from Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways or ANA are parked on the tarmac at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. AFP -
A Cathay Pacific Airways jetliner prepares to land at Hong Kong International Airport in China. EPA -
A Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A330-343 plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in West London. PA Images -
A Japan Airlines aircraft taxis at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Bloomberg -
A JetBlue plane lands at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. Bloomberg -
A Finnair Airbus A350 taxis to the gate after landing at Tampa International Airport in Florida. Tampa Bay Times via AP -
An Emirates plane taxis to a gate at Dubai International Airport in UAE. AP Photo -
Hawaiian Airlines planes sit idle on the runway at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. Reuters -
An Air France aircraft takes off at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France. EPA -
An Alaska Airlines aircraft flies past the US Capitol before landing at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. Reuters -
British Airways planes are seen at the Heathrow Airport in London, Britain. Reuters
- Qatar Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Etihad Airways
- Korean Air
- Singapore Airlines
- Qantas
- Virgin Australia
- EVA Air
- Turkish Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Virgin Atlantic
- Japan Airlines
- jetBlue
- Finnair
- Emirates
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Air France/KLM
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
