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The world’s best airline for 2026 has just been crowned

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Skytrax has revealed this year’s top global carriers, with a familiar name reclaiming the illustrious title.

In a world of private suites, personalised service and Michelin dining at 35,000 feet, the bar for airline excellence has never been higher. With such fierce competition, earning the title of World’s Best Airline is no small feat.

At an awards ceremony held in London this week, the coveted crown was officially handed to Singapore Airlines – which swept up a slew of other accolades in the process.

A major win for Singapore Airlines

Launched by international aviation consultancy Skytrax in 1999, the World Airline Awards have become one of the travel sector’s most prestigious accolades. Often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the aviation industry’, millions of travellers around the world cast their votes each year.

Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines was officially crowned the world’s best airline this year. (Credit: Unsplash/Hieu)

In 2026, those votes have once again swung in favour of Singapore Airlines, marking the sixth time the national carrier has claimed top honours. And while it’s certainly a win worth celebrating, it’s hardly unfamiliar territory for the aviation heavyweight.

Renowned worldwide for its unwavering standards, state-of-the-art fleet and premium onboard experience, Singapore Airlines is among the most trusted in the world. Operating out of the island nation it’s named after, the national carrier services more than 100 international routes across six continents.

Singapore Airlines
More than 100 international destinations are serviced by Singapore Airlines. (Credit: Unsplash/Emily Rusch)

Such an impeccable reputation, as well as widespread acclaim, has earned Singapore Airlines a raft of awards over the years, handed down by global brands like Condé Nast, Roy Morgan, Travel + Leisure and Fortune magazine.

Most notably, however, is its longstanding recognition by Skytrax among aviation’s elite, underscored by its sixth World’s Best Airline title. But that’s not the only achievement the carrier took home this year.

The national carrier also claimed World’s Best Economy Class for 2026. (Credit: Unsplash/Shawn P)

In a sweeping victory, Singapore Airlines also came away with Best Airline in Asia, World’s Best Economy Class and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering. Its luxurious business class offering also ranked second among the world’s best for 2026.

Beyond the top spot

While Singapore Airlines certainly turned heads this year, it wasn’t the only standout. Despite falling from first to second place as World’s Best Airline, Qatar Airways still enjoyed a strong showing.

Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways took home several major honours this year. (Credit: Unsplash/Jan Rosolino)

The Doha-based airline scooped up a suite of impressive titles, including World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Onboard Wi-fi and World’s Best Business Class Lounge for its Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden.

Cathay Pacific Airways secured World’s Best Cabin Crew and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge for The Wing Lounge, while Qantas proved its mettle as the only Australian airline to make the top 20, coming in 12th place.

Qantas
Qantas was the only Australian airline to make the top 20. (Credit: Unsplash/Joseph Bobadilla)

Other noteworthy mentions include Turkish Airlines for Best Airline in Europe, STARLUX Airlines for World’s Cleanest Airline, Air France for World’s Best First Class and Singapore Airlines subsidiary Scoot for Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline.

The top 20 best airlines for 2026

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Qatar Airways
  3. Cathay Pacific Airways
  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. Saudia
  16. Iberia
  17. Air Canada
  18. Virgin Atlantic
  19. Swiss International Airlines
  20. Thai Airways

For the full top 100 list of the World’s Best Airlines for 2026, as well as other categories and winners, head to Skytrax’s official World Airline Awards website.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is International Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, and this life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. After graduating, she began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's fairly certain nothing can top witnessing the northern lights in Norway, she'd love to explore Scotland and Ireland next.
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

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    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.