World’s best airline for 2026 unveiled in prestigious Skytrax awards
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Singapore Airlines has been named the World’s Best Airline in the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, considered the Oscars of the aviation world.
It is the sixth time the Asian carrier has received the prestigious accolade, which was announced at the annual awards ceremony held in London overnight.
Singapore Airlines has been crowned the best airline in the world for 2026. Getty Images
Singapore Airlines takes the crown from 2025 winner Qatar Airways, another mainstay on the list having won the title an impressive nine times in the 26-year history of the awards.
Aussie airline Qantas meanwhile continued its steady climb up the rankings, though again failed to crack the top 10, landing at number 12 in 2026.
The awards are based on a survey of more than 24.8 million travellers globally, who rated over 300 airlines between September 2025 and August 2026.
Singapore Airlines also received awards for Best Airline in Asia, World’s Best Economy Class, and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering.
In addition, the airline’s low-cost carrier Scoot was named Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline for the sixth consecutive year.
“This award is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our people, who continually strive to uphold SIA’s renowned standards for service and operational excellence,” Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, said.
Singapore Airlines last won the title in 2023.
The airline said the win signals a strong momentum shift, relevant for Aussies in particular as the carrier prepares for Western Sydney International Airport operations launching 23 November 2026.
The airline also won Best Airline in Asia, World’s Best Economy Class, and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering. SIngapore Airlines
Qatar Airways took second place in 2026, with Cathay Pacific Airways in third place.
Qatar win four top awards on the night including Best Airline in the Middle East and the World’s Best Business Class Airline for the thirteenth time.
Its Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden was named the World’s Best Business Class Lounge. Qatar Airways also received the inaugural award for the World’s Best Onboard Wi-Fi, introduced this year.
QSuite on Qatar Airways won World’s Best Business Class. Qatar Airways
Alongside its third-place finish, Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific 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.
Qantas Airways has climbed the global rankings two years in a row from 14th in 2025 and a dismal 24th in 2024.
The airline 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.
“These awards recognise the care our people show at every stage of the journey, and the spirit they bring to it,” Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson said.
Qantas won Best Airline in the Australia/South Pacific region. Getty Images
“I am very proud to see Qantas acknowledged this way, particularly because it is customers who decide it. Thank you to our team members around the world for the work they put into every flight, at every airport and behind the scenes every day.”
The title of the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline in 2026 went to AirAsia.
Top 20 best airlines in the world in 2026:
- 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 Int’l Air Lines
- Thai Airways
The World’s Best Cabin Crew 2026:
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- EVA Air
- STARLUX Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Japan Airlines
- Thai Airways
The World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2026:
- AirAsia
- Scoot
- Vueling Airlines
- Eurowings
- Iberia Express
- Volotea
- Transavia
- Flynas
- Indigo
- Allegiant Air
The World’s Best Business Class 2026:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Hainan Airlines
The World’s Best Premium Economy Class 2026:
- EVA Air
- Emirates
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
The World’s Best Economy Class 2026:
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qatar Airways
- EVA Air
- ANA All Nippon Airways
