AirlineRatings.com has announced its World’s Best Airline Awards for 2026, with 15 of the top 25 full-service airlines based in the Asia-Pacific region.
The rankings cover full-service, hybrid, and low-cost carrier categories, focusing on in-flight product and passenger experience rather than safety rankings. Lufthansa topped the hybrid category and HK Express claimed the top spot among low-cost carriers.
The awards are selected by the AirlineRatings team, based on measurable onboard criteria rather than public opinion or voting, said the organization.
World’s Best Full-Service Airlines for 2026
- Qatar Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Singapore Airlines
- Korean Air
- STARLUX Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- Air New Zealand
- Etihad Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas
- Virgin Atlantic
- Hainan Airlines
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Vietnam Airlines
- jetBlue
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Air France
- Malaysia Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Fiji Airways
- Saudia Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- LOT Polish Airlines
“It was a tight competition at the top, but Qatar’s value proposition, combined with a superior economy product and award-winning business class, secured that top position once again,” said CEO of AirlineRatings.com, Sharon Petersen.
“One of the standout movers this year is Taipei-based STARLUX Airlines. With strong cabin service, high-quality catering, and modern interiors, it is rapidly establishing itself as a premium competitor, particularly as it prepares to expand into Europe later this year.
World’s Best Hybrid Airlines for 2026
- Lufthansa
- WestJet
- Virgin Australia
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- SWISS
- Finnair
- British Airways
- TAP Portugal
- Iberia
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- Avianca
- Air Europa
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
- Air Transat
- Austrian Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- ITA Airways
“Lufthansa epitomises what we look for in the world’s best hybrid airline,” said Petersen.
“It offers a low-cost model on short-haul routes across Europe with buy-on-board catering, a variable seat pitch of 29 to 30 inches, complimentary streaming of in flight entertainment via its FlyNet Wi-Fi portal, alongside bottled water and the airline’s iconic branded chocolate.
World’s Best Low-Cost Carriers for 2026
- HK Express
- Jetstar
- AirAsia Group
- AirBaltic
- Scoot
- FlyNAS
- Breeze
- easyJet
- Wizz Air
- Vietjet Air
- Ryanair
- Jet2
- TUI Group
- Cebu Pacific
- GOL
- Norwegian
- Volaris
- SKY Airline
- Vueling
- Spring Airlines China
On HK Express winning the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier award for the first time, Petersen said: “HK Express may not appear the obvious choice for the world’s best low-cost carrier, forgoing extras like Wi Fi and inflight entertainment that many top 10 competitors now offer.”
“However, where it wins is its consistently excellent cabin crew and undoubtedly the world’s best low-cost carrier onboard menu.”
Jeanette Mao, CEO of HK Express, added: “I am immensely proud that we have been named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline. This honour belongs to every member of our team — their unwavering professionalism, care for customers, and commitment to safety and value have made this achievement possible.
