The world’s best airlines were crowned by Skytrax’s World Airline Awards 2026, a leading international organization for evaluating air travel. The ceremony, which took place on September 18, 2026 at the iconic Langham Hotel in London, celebrates the so-called Oscars of the aviation industry: 20 excellence awards in the realm of products and services offered to customers, awarded from a total of more than 300 airlines included in the survey.
They were chosen by travelers from around the world themselves, who voted in the largest global satisfaction survey.
The world’s best airline of 2026
The queen of the airlines in 2026 is Singapore Airlines, named the World’s Best Airline. But that’s not all: it delivered outstanding results in other categories as well, with its Economy Class crowned as Best Economy Class in the World and the Best Onboard Catering for Economy Class.
It is the sixth time in the history of the award (founded in 1999) that Singapore Airlines wins this prestigious accolade, as emphasized by Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax.
The complete global ranking
On the second step of the podium we find Qatar Airways, winner of last year and overall nine times in the history of the award. It also secured four prestigious prizes: World’s Best Airline for Business Class (for the thirteenth time), World’s Best Business Class Lounge with its Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden, World’s Best Airline in the Middle East, and World’s Best In-Flight Wi‑Fi—introduced in 2026 to underline the importance, for today’s customer experience, of fast and free onboard connectivity.
Hamad Al Khater, CEO of the Qatar Airways Group, stated: “We are honoured to receive these awards, which belong to our staff. Sixty thousand colleagues deliver the world’s best experience to our passengers every day, and they did so even in a year that was particularly challenging as Qatar Airways prepares to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary next year.”
In third place is Cathay Pacific Airways, which won the top prize for World’s Best Cabin Crew and also received the award for World’s Best First Class Lounge, thanks to the recently renovated The Wing Lounge.
Also following are ANA All Nippon Airways, in fourth place, which also secured the Best Airport Services in the World award. Turkish Airlines rounds out the top 5.
Below is the complete ranking:
- Singapore Airlines;
- Qatar Airways;
- Cathay Pacific;
- ANA All Nippon Airways;
- Turkish Airlines;
- Emirates;
- Air France;
- Hainan Airlines;
- Japan Airlines;
- Korean Air;
- EVA Air;
- Qantas Airways;
- STARLUX Airlines;
- Lufthansa;
- Saudi Arabian Airlines;
- Iberia;
- Air Canada;
- Virgin Atlantic;
- Swiss International Air Lines;
- Thai Airways.
The best airline in Europe
Turkish Airlines clinched the title of Best Airline in Europe 2026 for the eleventh time, in addition to ranking 5th in the global list.
The Turkish carrier also took home two other awards: Best Business Class Catering in the World and Best Airline in Southern Europe.
“This result once again demonstrates the international recognition of the high standards we uphold across the entire travel experience we offer our guests, from service quality to our onboard catering approach,” said during the awards ceremony Murat Şeker, Chairman of the Board of Turkish Airlines. “The fact that these awards are awarded directly based on our passengers’ evaluations is of great importance to us.”
