Top 20 Best Airlines in the World 2026 According to Skytrax: Is Garuda Indonesia Included?

KOMPAS.com - The list of the world's best airlines for 2026 was updated again on Friday (18/9/2026) by the global airline rating organization, Skytrax.

The ranking of the top 20 airlines worldwide for 2026 according to Skytrax is compiled based on an annual survey of travelers from around the globe.

Skytrax surveyed 325 airlines, involving 24.8 million travelers from more than 100 countries between September 2025 and August 2026.

The evaluation is based on key airline product and service standards, with a strong focus on the quality of passenger experience.

List of the World's Best Airlines 2026

Here is the list of the world's best airlines for 2026:

Singapore Airlines Crowned Champion

Singapopre Airlines Singapore Airlines is committed to supporting the increase in foreign tourist visits to Indonesia.

The award, often dubbed the "Oscar" of the airline industry, has named Singapore Airlines as the best airline in the world in 2026.

"We congratulate Singapore Airlines on this tremendous achievement, being named the world's best airline in 2026, highlighting the level of excellence in the product and service they provide to customers," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, as quoted in the official statement on Saturday (19/9/2026).

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways, which was named the best airline last year, now ranks second behind Singapore Airlines.

Following them are Cathay Pacific Airways in third place, ANA (All Nippon Airways) in fourth, and Turkish Airlines in fifth.

1. Singapore Airlines

2. Qatar Airways

3. Cathay Pacific

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. Saudi Arabian Airlines

16. Iberia

17. Air Canada

18. Virgin Atlantic

19. Swiss Int’l Air Lines

20. Thai Airways

Garuda Indonesia Misses Top 20 in Skytrax’s 2026 Rankings

Garuda Indonesia ranks 66th in the list of best airlines for 2026 according to Skytrax, dropping 20 places from last year’s position at 46th.

Meanwhile, several Southeast Asian airlines such as Thai Airways (Thailand), Malaysia Airlines (Malaysia), Scoot (Singapore), Bangkok Airways (Thailand), and Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam) are included within the top 55 best airlines globally.

In another category, namely the list of airlines with the best cabin crew in the world for 2026 according to Skytrax, Garuda Indonesia ranks eighth, followed by Japan Airlines and Thai Airways in the top 10.

The airline with the best cabin crew in the world for 2026 is Cathay Pacific Airways, followed by Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines completing the top three.