Qatar Airways is no longer the world’s best airline, at least according to the latest Skytrax World Airline Awards. After winning the prestigious title nine times, including consecutive victories in 2024 and 2025, the Doha-based carrier has been pushed into second place. Singapore Airlines claimed the top position, while Cathay Pacific Airways completed the top three.
The result ends Qatar Airways’ attempt to secure a third consecutive World’s Best Airline award. Its previous victories came in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, giving it one of the strongest records in the history of the awards. Losing the headline prize therefore represents a notable change, although the rest of Qatar Airways’ results show that its overall reputation remains exceptionally strong.
The Skytrax awards are based on passenger voting rather than a single technical evaluation. For this year’s results, 24.8 million travelers worldwide participated between September 2025 and August 2026. That makes the ranking particularly significant because it reflects the experiences and perceptions of a large international passenger base rather than the assessment of one airline industry panel.
Singapore Airlines Takes the 2026 World’s Best Airline Award
Singapore Airlines had plenty of reason to celebrate after reclaiming the top position. Goh Choon Phong, the airline’s chief executive officer, said the award reflected the trust of its customers and the dedication of its employees. He emphasized the carrier’s focus on maintaining high standards of service and operational excellence.
The broader ranking also demonstrates how strongly Asian airlines performed this year. Singapore Airlines occupies first place, followed by Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and All Nippon Airways. Turkish Airlines is fifth, Emirates sixth, Air France seventh, Hainan Airlines eighth, Japan Airlines ninth, and Korean Air tenth. Only two European airlines appear in the top ten, while no North American, South American, African, or Australasian airline makes the list.
Qatar Airways Still Dominates Business Class
For Qatar Airways, the loss of the overall title should not obscure its remarkable performance across other categories. The airline was named World’s Best Business Class Airline for the 13th time, reinforcing the reputation of its Qsuite product. Its Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden also won the World’s Best Business Class Lounge award.
Qatar Airways additionally retained the title of Best Airline in the Middle East, while its onboard connectivity earned another major distinction. The carrier won the inaugural World’s Best Onboard WiFi award, recognizing its rapidly expanding Starlink service.
The Starlink system can deliver speeds of up to 500 Mbps gate-to-gate through Qatar Airways’ Oryx Comms network. More than 150 aircraft are equipped with the technology, including Boeing 777s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and Airbus A350s. For passengers who need reliable connectivity rather than simply entertainment during a flight, this represents an important part of Qatar Airways’ premium proposition.
A Strong Result During a Difficult Year
Qatar Airways’ second-place finish is particularly notable given the difficult operating environment faced by airlines in the Middle East. Qatar Airways Group CEO Hamad Al Khater pointed to the challenges experienced during the year, including new conflict in the region, while praising the airline’s workforce for continuing to serve passengers.
The Skytrax results therefore tell a more complicated story than simply saying Qatar Airways has lost its crown. Singapore Airlines has taken the overall title, but Qatar Airways remains a dominant force in premium aviation, particularly in business class, lounges, connectivity, and Middle Eastern service.
For travelers, the 2026 ranking also highlights just how competitive the global premium-airline market has become. Singapore Airlines now holds the headline award, while Qatar Airways continues to collect major category victories. The change at the top is significant, but Qatar Airways’ results show that its position among the world’s leading airlines remains firmly established.
