Singapore Airlines has taken the top spot in the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026, unseating last year’s winner Qatar Airways. More than 24 million passengers took part in the survey, rating over 300 airlines.
World’s Best Airlines Ranking
The awards were handed out in London on September 18. It’s the sixth time Singapore Airlines has claimed the World’s Best Airline title.
Passengers judged airlines on everything from ground and onboard service to seat comfort, food, cabin cleanliness and in-flight entertainment.
The top 10 airlines this year:
- Singapore Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- Air France
- Hainan Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
Qatar Airways and Emirates Slip Down the Rankings
The bigger story this year may be what happened to the Middle East’s leading carriers. Qatar Airways, last year’s winner, dropped to second place, while Emirates fell from fourth to sixth.
The shift comes against a difficult backdrop for the region: during the survey period, Middle Eastern airlines dealt with rerouted flights and airspace restrictions tied to escalating tensions around Iran. Skytrax hasn’t cited these disruptions as a factor in the results, so how much they weighed on passenger ratings — if at all — is unclear.
Qatar Airways did hold onto its award for the world’s best business class, while Singapore Airlines picked up extra honors for best economy class and best economy class catering.
Asian and Middle Eastern carriers still dominate the top 10. Air France, in seventh place, is the only Western European airline on the list.