Aussie airline has the 'comfiest' seats according to top awards
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The best airlines in the world have been revealed, and passengers who are keen to see out the comfiest seats for long flights should take heed.
Industry Oscars the APEX Best Awards 2026 aims to declare the best airlines for seat comfort, cabin service, food and drinks, entertainment and Wi-Fi.
Virgin Australia scooped an important prize, it has the most comfy seats. Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia scooped the sought-after award for the most comfy seats in the South Pacific region.
A renowned airline took out the top spot – Air New Zealand. It was named best overall airline. The firm regularly takes out top spots in various awards.
It’s known for innovations including the new Skynest bunk beds which can soon be booked for economy passengers to take a comfy snooze.
Crew even hand out famous lollies before landing.
Qantas may have missed out on the top prize. However, it did come out on top in two categories, the best entertainment and best Wi-Fi.
That’s despite Wi-Fi not being available on all the company’s planes.
The best cabin service prize also went to an Aussie neighbour, Fiji Airways.
You’ll also be well-fed on board as it has the best food and drinks of any airline in the region.
A renowned airline took out the top spot for the South Pacific - Air New Zealand. Getty
Fiji Airways has launched its first direct service from the Gold Coast to Nadi. Fiji Airways
The airline has just launched its first direct service from the Gold Coast to Nadi, with flights taking just three hours 25 minutes.
Best airlines in the world for 2026
The overall winners in the awards were a mix of Middle Eastern, Asian and American airlines.
Korean Air impressed for its service while entertainment is the best on Emirates.
Qatar Airways has the best food and drinks while Taiwanese airline, Eva Air has the best seats.
Delta Air Lines came out on top for its Wi-Fi.
Over in Europe and Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways was named best overall.
Emirates won in the Middle East rankings and Singapore Airlines came out on top in east Asia.
North America’s best international airline is Aeromexico according to the awards.
USA budget carrier Southwest Airlines won the low-cost category.
South Pacific airline winners:
- Best Overall Airline: Air New Zealand
- Best Cabin Service: Fiji Airways
- Best Entertainment: Qantas
- Best Food and Beverage: Fiji Airways
- Best Seat Comfort: Virgin Australia
- Best Wi-Fi: Qantas
Korean Air has the best service new awards say. Supplied/Getty
Global airline winners:
- Best Cabin Service: Korean Air
- Best Entertainment: Emirates
- Best Food & Beverage: Qatar Airways
- Best Seat Comfort: Eva Air
- Best Wi-Fi: Delta Air Lines
Meanwhile, when it comes to air travel, most passengers can be divided into two very distinct categories: window seat people and aisle seat people.
Both have their pros and cons, and seasoned travellers can get into very heated debates about which one is the best.
Low-cost airline Scoot sought to put these debates to bed with the release of its Great Aussie Seat Survey.
The survey found that 52 per cent of travellers prefer the window seat when flying.
