Skytrax 2026: Singapore Airlines the best, while Croatia Airlines and Air Serbia are among the best in their regions
Singapore Airlines has taken first place on Skytrax's ranking of the best airlines For 2026, Asian and Middle Eastern carriers are once again dominating the top, while only six European companies have made it into the top 20.
Singapore Airlines it is at the top again this year World Airline Awards. Following are Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific, while ANA All Nippon Airways and Turkish Airlines rounded out the top five. For Singapore Airlines, this is the sixth time it has won the main Skytrax award.
Europe only starts in fifth place
Turkish Airlines is the highest-ranked European carrier, in fifth place on the global ranking. Air France is seventh, Lufthansa 14th, Iberia 16th, Virgin Atlantic 18th, and Swiss International Air Lines 19th. This means Europe has six representatives in the top 20.
Skytrax has also named Turkish Airlines the best airline in Europe. Air France, on the other hand, further distinguished itself with the award for the world's best first class, following the introduction of its new La Première cabin in 2025.
Passengers are increasingly evaluating the entire experience
The results are based on a survey conducted from September 2025 to August 2026. Passengers from more than 100 countries participated, covering over 300 airlines. Singapore Airlines states that more than 24.8 million passenger responses were included in the results.
Therefore, this ranking should be read primarily as an indicator of passenger satisfaction. It measures not just the seat or the meal, but the airport and cabin experience, service, value for money and a range of other travel elements.
It is also interesting that this year, for the first time, Skytrax presented the award for the best in-flight Wi-Fi. It was won by Qatar Airways, which was at the same time once again named the best business class carrier.
Signal for the Adriatic region market
Air Serbia and Croatia Airlines found themselves near the top of several European categories in this year's Skytrax World Airline Awards. Air Serbia maintained third place among Europe's best regional airlines, while Croatia Airlines is third in the ranking of the best airlines in Central Europe.
The results of the 2026 World Airline Awards are based on passenger ratings collected between September 2025 and August 2026. The survey covered more than 300 airlines, and according to Singapore Airlines data, more than 24.8 million passenger responses were processed.
Air Serbia remains among Europe's top three regional carriers
In the Best Regional Airlines in Europe category, first place went to Greece's Aegean Airlines, second is Air Dolomiti, while Air Serbia is third.
The Serbian carrier thereby maintained its position from 2025. At the same time, it improved its ranking on the global list of regional airlines: rising from last year's 18th to 17th place.
Air Serbia is also well positioned within the wider geographical order. On Skytrax's list of the best airlines in Eastern Europe, it took second place, behind airBaltic.
However, this year it did not make the top 100 airlines in the world. Last year, it was part of that ranking for the first time, in 99th place.
Croatia Airlines third in Central Europe
Croatia Airlines took third place in Skytrax's category for Best Airlines in Central Europe. Ahead of the Croatian national carrier are LOT Polish Airlines in first place and Wizz Air in second.
That is not a separate Skytrax award for Croatia Airlines, but rather a placement on the regional ranking.
Croatian carrier achieved an even better result in the cabin crew category. Croatia Airlines is second among Eastern European airlines for cabin crew quality, behind airBaltic and ahead of Air Serbia.
It is interesting in this regard that Skytrax classifies Croatia Airlines as Central Europe in the general regional ranking, while in the cabin crew category it still lists it under Eastern Europe.
