Great journeys begin long before you land, and the respected, London-based private aviation research and consulting firm, Skytrax says one airline in particular does it best.... And where does Saudi Arabia's flagship carrier land on this list? Read on to find out.
We are living in an era where plane travel is considered as normal as getting the bus or the metro, but there are tiers to the air travel experience. This isn't a list where you will see Ryanair or Wizz topping the charts, this is where the best airlines from around the world are recognised, based on travellers votes and those of experts.
Each year, Skytrax release an updated listing compiled by industry experts that evaluates international, and regional, airlines based on service quality, punctuality, safety, fleet modernity, and passenger satisfaction, determining the very best in the business. Premium air travel experiences are defined by the unique and bespoke on-board hospitality, cutting-edge and modern cabin design, and effortless connectivity; the best airlines transforms time spend in the air into a highlight of the trip, if not creating an engaging and productive environment.
A well seasoned traveller? Or making plans for a trip soon? According to Skytrax, these are the world's top airlines for 2026.
World's Best International Airlines 2026
Pipped at the post, after almost a decade topping the World's Best Airline list, Qatar Airways slipped from the top spot down to second place this year. For 2026, the airline taking first place is Singapore Airlines - reclaiming its crown after placing second last year to mark its sixth time named the World's Best Airline. Reflecting its ongoing fleet expansion and elevated passenger experience, the Kingdom's original national carrier, Saudia, has continued its impressive ascent up the Skytrax leaderboard. This year, the airline has risen two positions from 17th place last year to land at 15th overall on the 2026 rankings.
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways remains in third place. In October 2024, Cathay Pacific Airways introduced three weekly flights between the Saudi capital city of Riyadh and Hong Kong, operating every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
The United Arab Emirates' national carrier, Emirates, dropped from third place to fourth position on the list for 2025, and this year, the airline slipped down the rankings again to place sixth on the list of the World's Best Airlines according to Skytrax. The list is heavily skewed towards Asian airlines with a scattering of Middle Eastern carriers, whilst Air France is the only European airway to make the top 10.
Discover the top 100 airlines in the world for 2026, right here
