The Skytrax World Airline Awards recognized its Top 10 Airlines of 2026, as voted by travelers around the world, with Singapore Airlines taking the top spot, followed by Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards are among the aviation industry’s most recognized global rankings, based on the experiences and ratings of travelers worldwide. For its 2026 awards, more than 24.8 million travelers rated over 300 airlines in a survey conducted between September 2025 and August 2026. The top three spots for the world’s best airlines included Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific Airways, respectively.
They’re followed by ANA All Nippon Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air, in that order.
Read more about this year’s top three below.
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Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been named the World’s Best Airline at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, marking the sixth time it has received the accolade. SIA also took home awards for Best Airline in Asia, World’s Best Economy Class, and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering.
Meanwhile, Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, was named Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline for the sixth consecutive year at the annual awards ceremony held in London on September 18, 2026.
“We are grateful to our customers for their trust and support, and we are committed to delivering an exceptional, world-class travel experience every time they fly with us,” shares Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines. “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.”
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways takes second place at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The national airline of Qatar, based in Doha, serves more than 150 business and leisure destinations across Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and South America with a fleet of more than 200 aircraft. Its onboard offering centers on comfort, fine cuisine, the latest in-flight audio and video entertainment, award-winning service, and a modern fleet averaging around five years of age.
Cathay Pacific Airways
Third in the rankings is Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific. The Cathay Pacific Group operates scheduled passenger and cargo services to more than 200 destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, Europe, and Africa, with a fleet of close to 200 aircraft. Cathay Pacific is also a founding member of the oneworld global alliance.
Banner image courtesy of Singapore Airlines
