Singapore Airlines Wins World’s Best Airline Award for Sixth Time

Singapore Airlines won the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards on September 18, reclaiming the top prize from Qatar Airways. The award was based on a survey of 24.8 million travellers rating over 300 airlines between September 2025 and August 2026. SIA also won best economy class, best economy class catering, and best airline in Asia. The national carrier reported record revenue of SGD 20.5 billion for the 2025-2026 financial year and carried 42.2 million passengers, up 7.7 per cent year-on-year.

SIA reclaims top spot after five years of runner-up finishes

Singapore Airlines finished second to Qatar Airways in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021 and 2019 before winning this year. Qatar Airways dropped to second place in 2026, with Cathay Pacific Airways third, All Nippon Airways fourth and Turkish Airlines fifth. SIA’s sixth world’s best airline title adds to previous wins in 2023, 2018, 2008, 2007 and 2004. The award was announced at a gala ceremony on September 18 at London’s Langham Hotel.

Multiple category wins signal strength across service tiers

Beyond the top award, SIA won world’s best economy class and world’s best economy class onboard catering. The airline came second in the world’s best cabin crew category, which Cathay Pacific won. SIA’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot was named best long-haul low-cost airline for the sixth consecutive year and placed second in the world’s best low-cost airlines category after AirAsia.

Record passenger numbers and revenue drive operational excellence

SIA Group logged its highest-ever revenue of SGD 20.5 billion in the 2025-2026 financial year. The airline and Scoot carried 42.2 million passengers from April 2025 to March 2026, up 7.7 per cent from the prior year. CEO Goh Choon Phong attributed the award to staff dedication and professionalism in upholding SIA’s service standards. The carrier delayed introducing new first and business class seats on its Airbus A350-900 fleet to the first quarter of 2027, from the second quarter of 2026.

Skytrax survey reflects global passenger preferences

The Skytrax World Airline Awards, held annually since 1999, are described as the aviation industry’s Oscars. The 2026 rankings surveyed travellers of more than 100 nationalities rating over 325 airlines. Asian carriers dominated the top five, with no US airlines in the top 20 and only one European airline, Air France-KLM, in the top 10. Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted noted the award reflects SIA’s product and service excellence across customer segments.

Final Thoughts

SIA’s sixth world’s best airline title signals sustained operational excellence and customer satisfaction. With record revenue and passenger growth, the award validates the airline’s investment in service quality across economy and premium cabins.

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