Money

The world’s best airline has been named for 2023

Published

3 years ago

May 31, 2023

A lie-flat seating concept in economy is making waves for the world’s best airline

One of the world’s premiere safety and product rating websites, AirlineRatings.com has announced its 2023 Airline of the Year.

Air New Zealand won the award for its exceptional achievements in in-flight innovations, which include the upcoming Skynest beds in the Economy cabin, its environmental leadership, and the dedication of its staff.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the recognition acknowledges his remarkable team.

“We owe our success to the dedication and hard work of our 12,000 Air New Zealanders who wake each morning to connect Kiwis with each other and the world.

“This award belongs to them for their grit, commitment, and the exceptional service they deliver every day.”

Air New Zealand nudged out previous winner Qatar Airways (2021, 2022) Etihad Airways, Korean Air and Singapore Airlines for the top spot.

The AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards are judged by five editors, who boast decades of industry experience.

Airlines are judged across 11 key criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment, product offerings, and staff relations.

“It is a sign that we have got our swing back and that our relentless focus on doing the basics brilliantly and delivering our Kia Mau strategy with precision and ambition is working,” Mr Foran said.

However, he explained there are ares for improvement as the global travel sector recovers from the height of the pandemic.

“As with many airlines worldwide, we understand that our fantastic team faces difficulties in providing the service we strive for and that our customers expect. We’re working hard to address these challenges.”

Air New Zealand won Best Economy Class, while Qatar Airways picked up Best Business Class for the fourth-year running and Best Catering.

Singapore Airlines received the Best First Class award, while Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic won Best Cabin Crew.

Best-In-Flight Entertainment and Best Premium Economy went to Emirates, while Qantas was recognised for Best Lounges.

Geoffrey Thomas is the Editor-in-Chief at AirlineRatings.com, who said there was tough competition.

“In our objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in many key areas although it was a very close scoring for the top five.”

The awards also recognised the world’s Best Low-Cost Airlines.

Southwest Airlines won in the Americas category; while Fly Dubai (Middle East); AirAsia (Asia); Jetstar (Australia/Pacific) and Ryanair (Europe) all won in their respective regions.

Money

Big tech stocks slide amid AI spending concerns

Tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon lose billions as investors prioritize earnings over AI, while TSMC and Samsung thrive.

Published

4 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon lose billions as investors prioritize earnings over AI, while TSMC and Samsung thrive.

Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Nvidia, and Alphabet have all suffered steep losses this year, with Microsoft dropping 17% and Amazon falling nearly 14%. Investors are growing cautious as AI spending concerns weigh heavily on valuations.

This shift signals a market focus on immediate earnings rather than the long-term promise of AI, marking a notable change in investor sentiment across the tech sector.

Despite the setbacks for these giants, the tech landscape is not uniform, with other companies managing to grow despite market turbulence.

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Money

AI fears rattle global markets and investors

AI developments cause market volatility, with European software and US tech firms facing significant declines amid rising uncertainty.

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

AI developments cause market volatility, with European software and US tech firms facing significant declines amid rising uncertainty.

Global stock markets are experiencing heightened volatility as concerns about AI disruption sweep across industries. Investors are closely monitoring which sectors could be most affected as the technology continues to evolve.

Recent announcements from major US AI companies sent waves through international markets, highlighting the interconnected nature of global finance and technology. European software giants such as Dassault Systèmes and RELX saw significant declines, underscoring the global reach of AI developments.

UBS analysts warn that the impact of AI disruption could intensify in 2026 and 2027, with potential ramifications for a wide range of sectors.

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Money

U.S. stocks falling amid AI worries and weak earnings

U.S. stocks decline amid AI concerns, defensive sectors rising; traders eye commodities, jobs data, and currency trends for insights.

Published

4 days ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. stocks decline amid AI concerns, defensive sectors rising; traders eye commodities, jobs data, and currency trends for insights.

U.S. stocks are tumbling as investors grow concerned over AI profitability and disappointing earnings. Defensive sectors are attracting attention ahead of the upcoming CPI report, while market participants are carefully watching how tech-heavy AI stocks are influencing broader indices. Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX notes that these factors are shaping market sentiment.

For traders, commodities like gold and oil are also playing a role in sentiment, providing hedges amid market uncertainty. The January jobs report and unemployment data are adding further context, with potential implications for Federal Reserve policy.

Market expectations for rate cuts are shifting as investors weigh economic indicators against global market dynamics. Traders are also eyeing currency movements, including the Australian Dollar and Japanese yen, for signs of broader economic trends.