The 2026 World Airline Awards have been announced at a gala ceremony on the 18th September 2026 at the iconic Langham Hotel, London. The awards event was hosted by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, with airline Chairpersons, CEOs and Presidents traveling to London to receive the awards.

Widely known as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry’ the World Airline Awards began in 1999, and remain independent and impartial, with all of the customer survey costs and awards event hosted by and paid for by the organizers, Skytrax.

Last year’s winner, Qatar Airways took second place in 2026, with Cathay Pacific Airways in third place, ANA All Nippon Airways ranked No. 4 and Turkish Airlines in fifth position, out of more than 300 airlines included in the survey results.

The World’s Top 20 Airlines in 2026

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Qatar Airways
3. Cathay Pacific
4. ANA All Nippon Airways
5. Turkish Airlines
6. Emirates
7. Air France
8. Hainan Airlines
9. Japan Airlines
10. Korean Air
11. EVA Air
12. Qantas Airways
13. STARLUX Airlines
14. Lufthansa
15. Saudi Arabian Airlines
16. Iberia
17. Air Canada
18. Virgin Atlantic
19. Swiss Int’l Air Lines
20. Thai Airways

Qatar Airways, the nine times winner of the World’s Best Airline title was ranked No. 2 this year, with the airline winning four top awards including the World’s Best Business Class Airline, the thirteenth time the airline has received this global accolade. Further success came with its Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden named the World’s Best Business Class Lounge, and Qatar Airways collected the award as the Best Airline in the Middle East. Qatar Airways also received the inaugural award for the World’s Best Onboard Wi-Fi, introduced in 2026 to reflect the importance to today’s customer experience of fast and free onboard connectivity.

Cathay Pacific Airways took top honors with the award for the World’s Best Cabin Crew, and also received the award for the World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge, with the recently transformed The Wing Lounge providing a luxurious, calm environment with discreet, high-quality service.

STARLUX Airlines won the World’s Cleanest Airline award, recognising the consistently high standards achieved across its fleet. At the start of the 2026 awards event in London, STARLUX Airlines also received their 5-Star Airline Rating for the second consecutive year in the airlines 6 year history.

The World’s Cleanest Airlines 2026

1. STARLUX Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
4. Hainan Airlines
5. Cathay Pacific Airways

AirAsia was the winner of the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline award, a title it has won every year since 2010.

The World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2026

1. AirAsia
2. Scoot
3. Vueling Airlines
4. Eurowings
5. Iberia Express
6. Volotea
7. Transavia
8. Flynas
9. Indigo
10. Allegiant Air

Scoot received a top award as the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.

Air France enjoyed success by winning the awards for the World’s Best First Class, the World’s Best First Class Lounge Dining, and the World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities, underlining Air France’s dedication to delivering total excellence in First Class. Air France also received the awards as the Best Airline in Western Europe.

Vueling (part of International Airlines Group, IAG), triumphed for the first time at the World Airline Awards, receiving the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe, which is a fabulous achievement in such a competitive low-cost airline market.

Bangkok Airways was named the World’s Best Regional Airline for the tenth consecutive year. Widely known as Asia’s Boutique Airline, this award for Bangkok Airways is a strong recognition from customers of the highest quality standards the airline provides.

Plaza Premium Group received the award as the World’s Best Airport Lounge Group, the tenth consecutive year that Plaza Premium Group has won this, with three Plaza Premium Lounges – at Rome Fiumicino, London Heathrow and Dubai airports – all ranked in the Top 10 Lounges worldwide.

EVA Air won a trio of top awards, for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline, the World’s Best Premium Economy Class, and the World’s Best Premium Economy Class Amenities. EVA Air pioneered Premium Economy back in 1992, and its continued success in this category reflects the high standards the airline has maintained over more than three decades.

Saudia is a repeat winner of the coveted award for the Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.

Qantas Airways repeated its previous successes by winning two awards, as the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific region, and for the Best Airline Staff Service in Australia / Pacific.

Turkish Airlines has won a trio of top awards, for the Best Airline in Europe, the World’s Best Business Class Catering, and the Best Airline in Southern Europe. Turkish Airlines also ranked at No. 5 worldwide in the global airline ranking.

In North America, Air Canada topped the awards as the Best Airline in North America, with Air Canada’s Toronto Pearson Signature Suite also winning the Best Business Class Lounge Dining award.

Allegiant Air received the award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America.

Air Transat was named the World’s Best Leisure Airline, with 2026 being the eighth year the Canadian airline has received this top accolade.

The World’s Best Leisure Airlines 2026

1. Air Transat
2. SunExpress
3. TUI Airways
4. Sun PhuQuoc Airways
5. Condor

The World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges 2026

1. Chase Sapphire Lounge – LGA
2. Plaza Premium – FCO
3. Chase Sapphire Lounge – HKG
4. Plaza Premium – LHR T4
5. Capital One – JFK