Air New Zealand wins 'leading Australasian airline' award

New Zealand has won the double in The 2011 World Travel Awards for Australasia, with Air New Zealand voted as the region's 'leading airline' and  Wellington International as 'leading airport'.

Only a gong for InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto as Australia's leading business hotel stopped NZ from taking the business travel trifecta.

Voted by travel agents worldwide, the 2011 World Travel Awards are not without their share of contentious decisions.

We can understand the appeal of Cathay Pacific's new business class, which topped its category in the Asia region. Korean Air's first class cabin being recognised as 'Asia's Leading Airline First Class' is another solid call.

And the choice of 'leading airport' in Asian was always going to be a tight race between Singapore's Changi, Hong Kong and Seoul Incheon (Singapore got the nod).

But to be honest, the selection of Malaysia Airlines' Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport as Asia's Leading Airline Lounge has Team AusBT scratching our collective heads – we'd have thought Cathay Pacific's The Wing First Class was a shoe-in.

Of course, if Australia was included in this field, we submit that Qantas' International First Lounge in Sydney would blow them both away.

And Port Moresby's Airways Hotel being the best airport hotel in Australasia? Hmmm....

Anyway, if you're curious about the full list of winners and also-rans, click to The 2011 World Travel Awards for Australasia and The 2011 World Travel Awards for Asia.

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.