Singapore Airlines takes top Skytrax airline award

The award was announced at a ceremony at London’s Langham Hotel on September 18, with more than 300 airlines included in the survey results.

Singapore Airlines moved ahead of last year’s winner Qatar Airways, which ranked second, while Cathay Pacific took third place. ANA All Nippon Airways ranked fourth and Turkish Airlines fifth.

The result marks the sixth time Singapore Airlines has received Skytrax’s top airline award.

The carrier also took the World’s Best Economy Class and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering awards, adding to its haul at this year’s ceremony.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said the airline was grateful to customers for their trust and support, adding that the award reflected the work of its employees in maintaining its service and operational standards.

Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said Singapore Airlines had delivered strong results across both product and service categories.

“Singapore Airlines achieved excellent results in other categories,” Plaisted said, highlighting its Economy Class and onboard catering awards. He added that the latest win was the sixth time the airline had received Skytrax’s highest accolade.

Qatar Airways, which has won the World’s Best Airline title nine times, took second place overall. It received four major awards in 2026, including World’s Best Business Class Airline, World’s Best Business Class Lounge for Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden, Best Airline in the Middle East and the inaugural World’s Best Onboard Wi-Fi award.

The 2026 rankings also put Emirates sixth, Air France seventh, Japan Airlines ninth and Korean Air 10th. Lufthansa ranked 14th, Iberia 16th, Air Canada 17th and Swiss 19th.

Europe: Turkish Airlines was named Best Airline in Europe, while Iberia won Best Airline Staff Service in Europe.

Africa: Ethiopian Airlines retained Best Airline in Africa for the seventh consecutive year, while RwandAir won Best Airline Staff Service in Africa.

Asia: Hainan Airlines was named Best Airline in China, while Malaysia Airlines won Best Airline Staff Service in Asia.

South America: LATAM Airlines won both Best Airline in South America and Best Airline Staff Service in South America.

North America: Air Canada was named Best Airline in North America, with its Toronto Pearson Signature Suite also winning Best Business Class Lounge Dining.

oneworld was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance, reclaiming the title for the first time since 2021.

Air France won the title of the World’s Best First Class and world Best First Class Lounge.

The World Airline Awards began in 1999 and are based on customer survey results. Skytrax says the awards are independent, with the organization covering the cost of the customer survey and awards event.