TikaWeeks #43/2026: Sri Lanka update
Posted by John on 22nd October 2026
The World Airline Awards began in 1999, when Skytrax launched its first global, annual airline customer satisfaction survey. It is not restricted to member airlines or a pre-selected choice of airline, and any airline in the world can be nominated. There are no survey entry fees, no payment to attend the awards event, and no charges for any use of the award logos and results by winning airlines. Whilst some award-winning airlines may not be the favourite of everyone, it should be remembered that award winning airlines are voted for by customers. A key directive of the survey is for customers to make their own, personal choices as to which airlines they consider to be the best, underlining the brand as the Passenger’s Choice Awards.
In 2026, Singapore Airlines returned to the top of the pile after a 3-year hiatus when Qatar Airways took the top spot for 3 years’ running and the airline was second best this year followed by Cathay Pacific Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways and Turkish Airlines a commendable 5th. The top 10 included Emirates in 6th place followed by Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines and Korean Air. For the full list, please go to the World’s Top 100 Airlines 2026
Qatar Airways continued its success in the Business Class award categories, taking the top award as the World's Best Business Class Airline, with their Q-Suite winning the award as the World's Best Business Class Seat, and their Al Mourjan Garden Lounge at Hamad International Airport, Doha receiving the award as the World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge. Turkish Airlines is the repeat winner of the Best Business Class Onboard Catering award. For the full list, please go to the World’s Best Business Class Airlines 2026
EVA Air, the pioneer airline to introduce Premium Economy Class back in 1992, won the top award as the World's Best Premium Economy Class Airline at the 2026 World Airline Awards, also winning the award for the World's Best Premium Economy Class Amenities. Emirates is ranked second and Singapore Airlines in third position, with Emirates also winning the award for the Best Premium Economy Class Catering and Best Premium Economy Class Seat. For the full list, please go to the World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines 2026
Singapore Airlines added to its accolades this year by being nominated as the World's Best Economy Class Airline at the awards, with Cathay Pacific Airways in second place and Qatar Airways in third position. Singapore Airlines also won the award for the World's Best Economy Class Onboard Catering, and Korean Air for the World's Best Economy Class Airline Seat. For the full list, please go to the World’s Best Economy Class Airlines 2026
The top Award for the World's Best Cabin Crew in 2026 went to Cathay Pacific Airways, which is a great testament to the professionalism and hospitality of their service, with Singapore Airlines in second position, and Malaysia Airlines rising up the rankings to third place. For the full list, please go to the World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew 2026
EVA Air also won a top global award as the World's Most Family Friendly Airline at the 2026 World Airline Awards. Emirates was in second place ahead of Lufthansa in third position. The Most Family Friendly Airline award evaluates the airline performance across items including provision of family seating together, dedicated family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, children's amenities, toys and activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, free checked luggage and policies for carrycot / pushchairs, and the standard of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during the travel experience. For the full list, please go to the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline 2026
Emirates won the award for the World's Best Inflight Entertainment at the 2026 World Airline Awards, with Singapore Airlines in second place, and Cathay Pacific Airways in third position. This Award is a coveted quality distinction and a very competitive aspect of today's air travel experience. The award recognises airlines delivering the best choice and quality of inflight entertainment. From the choice and currency of movies, TV programmes, music and games through to the availability and functionality of onboard Wi-Fi, this award recognises those airlines that seek to deliver a fantastic experience to their passengers. For the full list, please go to the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment 2026
Qatar Airways also won the inaugural award for the World's Best Onboard Wi-Fi at the 2026 World Airline Awards. The award was introduced in 2026 to reflect the importance to today’s customer experience of fast and free onboard connectivity. Delta Air Lines takes second place ahead of United Airlines in third position. This award recognises the major importance of onboard Wi-Fi / high-speed browsing now offered by many airlines, and the impact this is having on improvements to customer satisfaction scores. For the full list, please go to the World’s Best Onboard Wi-Fi 2026
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