There are lots of ways – and plenty of organizations – that rank airports and airlines.
Skytrax, an international air transport rating organisation, is one of the major awards sought by airlines and the 2026 World Airline Awards were just announced.
Here’s the rundown. See if your favorite airline made the list.
Singapore Airlines took the big prize, winning the World’s Best Airline for 2026, out of 300 ranked airlines.
The airline also scored firsts in other categories, including World’s Best Economy Class title and the World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering
In terms of the World’s Best category, Qatar Airways – the nine times winner of the World’s Best Airline title – was ranked No. 2 this year, while Cathay Pacific Airways placed third and ANA All Nippon Airways ranked fourth.
HERE’S THE RUNDOWN FOR WORLD’S TOP 20 AIRLINES IN 2026
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Qatar Airways
3. Cathay Pacific
4. ANA All Nippon Airways
5. Turkish Airlines
6. Emirates
7. Air France
8. Hainan Airlines
9. Japan Airlines
10. Korean Air
11. EVA Air
12. Qantas Airways
13. STARLUX Airlines
14. Lufthansa
15. Saudi Arabian Airlines
16. Iberia
17. Air Canada
18. Virgin Atlantic
19. Swiss Int’l Air Lines
20. Thai Airways
Domestic U.S. airlines make a brief appearance on lists with global competitors: Allegiant Air shows up on the World’s Best Low Cost Airlines at #10, JetBlue show up on the World’s Best Regional Airlines list at #7 and American Airlines appears on the list of World’s Most Improved Airline in the #4 spot.
But when broken down by region, Startrax’s list of Best Airlines in North America for 2026 are:
1. Air Canada
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Porter Airlines
4, United Airlines
5. Alaska Airlines
6. JetBlue Airways
7. Air Transat
8. Allegiant Air
9. American Airlines
10. Breeze Airways
In some other North America and US award categories:
There are a lot of categories. Here’s a sampling of some winners.
Alaska Airlines won for Cleanest Airline in North America
Allegiant Air won for Best Low-Cost Airline in the U.S. and in North America
American Airlines took home: Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in North America, Most Family Friendly Airline in North America, and Most Improved Airline in North America
Delta Airlines claimed awards for Best Cabin Crew in the US as well as North American awards for Best Airline Staff, Best Premium Economy Class, Best Cabin Crew in North America and Best Econonomy and Best Business Class.
And United Airlines took home an award for Best Business Class Onboard Catering in North America
You can see the full list of Starlux airline awards for 2026 here.
