(CNN)Its star-studded safety videos show the airline making happy customers of everyone from hulking sports stars to pocket-sized hobbits.
But Air New Zealand isn't just leading the way in viral hits.
Australia-based website AirlineRatings.com has named Air New Zealand the 2016 Airline of the Year in its prestigious Airline Excellence Awards.
The "industry trendsetter" was praised for its award-winning inflight innovations, operational safety and environmental leadership.
It's the third time in a row it's won the title, and this year it scoredanother triple with wins in the Best Premium Economy Class and Best Economy Class categories.
AirlineRatings credited Air NZ advances like the Premium Economy Spaceseat, designed so the person in front can't lean into a passenger's space, and the Skycouch, a row of three economy seats with footrests that lift up to create a flexible space for young families or couples.
Qantas has doubled size of economy meals