Singapore Airlines has been named the world's best airline at the 2026 World Airlines Awards, an event described as the "Oscars of the aviation industry." The awards, organised by London-based Skytrax, are based on what is believed to be the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey globally.
Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, expressed gratitude to customers for their trust and support, stating the award is a "testament to the dedication and professionalism of our people." Last year's winner, Qatar Airways, came in second, followed by Cathay Pacific Airways in third place.
Only one UK airline, Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic, made it into the top 20. Virgin Atlantic operates flights from Edinburgh, Heathrow, and Manchester to 32 locations across five continents. Asian airlines were prominent in the top 20, with 12 entries including Turkish Airlines.
Other notable category winners included Cathay Pacific for World's Best Cabin Crew, Starlux Airlines for World's Cleanest Airline, and AirAsia for World's Best Low-Cost Airline. Air France took the award for World's Best First Class, while Spanish airline Vueling was named Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe.