Singapore Airlines has been named the World's Best Airline at the 2026 World Airline Awards, ahead of Qatar Airways in second place and Cathay Pacific in third, according to results published by awards organiser Skytrax.

Skytrax said the awards were announced at a gala ceremony at the Langham Hotel in London on Sept 18. Airline chairmen, chief executives, and presidents travelled to London to receive their awards, it said.

The awards began in 1999 and are often likened by media to the Oscars of the aviation industry. Skytrax describes them as independent and impartial and says it pays all survey and event costs with no sponsorship.

This is the sixth time Singapore Airlines has won the top title, Skytrax said. Qatar Airways, the previous year's winner, took second place, followed by Cathay Pacific, ANA All Nippon Airways in fourth, and Turkish Airlines in fifth. Emirates, Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air completed the top 10. Thai Airways ranked 20th.

The results are based on an online survey run from September 2025 to August 2026. Skytrax said it included more than 300 airlines and that customers from more than 100 nationalities took part. It said that it removed suspect and duplicate entries.

Edward Plaisted, Skytrax chief executive, said the win should be "a source of great pride and motivation" for Singapore Airlines staff and management. Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong thanked customers and credited his staff for the result.

Singapore Airlines also won World's Best Economy Class and World's Best Economy Class Onboard Catering, Skytrax said.

Other winners named in the announcement included

Qatar Airways, which took four awards: World's Best Business Class, World's Best Business Class Lounge, Best Airline in the Middle East and the first World's Best Onboard Wi-Fi award, introduced this year.

Cathay Pacific, which won World's Best Cabin Crew and World's Best First Class Airline Lounge.

Air France, which won World's Best First Class and Best Airline in Western Europe, among other awards.

EVA Air, which won World's Most Family Friendly Airline and World's Best Premium Economy Class.

STARLUX Airlines, which won World's Cleanest Airline and received its 5-Star Airline Rating for a second consecutive year.

Oneworld, named World's Best Airline Alliance.

In the low-cost categories, AirAsia was named World's Best Low-Cost Airline, and Skytrax said it has held the title every year since 2010. Scoot won World's Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.

For South Asia, Skytrax named IndiGo Best Low-Cost Airline in India & South Asia. Air India ranked second on the list of the World's Most Improved Airlines, behind Egyptair. Skytrax's announcement also listed regional winners for Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, and Central Asia, along with rankings for cabin classes, lounges and other categories.

Source: Skytrax