Air India has been named the Best Airline in India at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026, moving ahead of IndiGo in this year’s rankings. IndiGo took the second spot, while Akasa Air retained its third position. Air India Express ranked fourth, while SriLankan Airlines moved to fifth. Scroll down to know more.
Air India Has Been Named As The Best Airline In India
According to reports by NDTV, Air India also received recognition in other categories, including being named the world’s second Most Improved Airline for 2026. IndiGo, meanwhile, won the titles of Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia, as well as awards for Best Cabin Crew and Cleanest Airline in the region. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are built on the organisation’s annual global passenger satisfaction survey rather than an editorial judging panel. For the 2026 edition, the survey was conducted between September 2025 and August 2026, with passengers from more than 100 nationalities participating. Skytrax said the survey generated 24.8 million eligible responses covering more than 300 airlines worldwide.
The survey covers different aspects of the passenger experience, including cabin service, cleanliness, airport services, lounges and onboard offerings across economy, premium economy, business and first class.
List Of Best Airlines In India And South Asia
The top 10 airlines in the India and South Asia ranking were:
- Air India
- IndiGo
- Akasa Air
- Air India Express
- SriLankan Airlines
- SpiceJet
- BeOnd
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
- Pakistan International Airlines
- Maldivian
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Singapore Airlines Named World’s Best Airline
Additionally, at the global level, Singapore Airlines was named the World’s Best Airline for 2026, marking its sixth win since the awards began in 1999. Qatar Airways ranked second, followed by Cathay Pacific, ANA All Nippon Airways and Turkish Airlines in the top five. Singapore Airlines also won the awards for World’s Best Economy Class and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering. Its low-cost subsidiary Scoot was named the World’s Best Long-Haul Low-Cost Airline for the sixth consecutive year.
The 2026 awards were presented at a ceremony in London on September 18, with the results based on passenger feedback collected over the preceding survey period.
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FAQs
Who is the owner of Air India?
Air India is owned by Air India Limited, which is held by the Tata Group (74.9%) and Singapore Airlines (25.1%).
Is Air India a good or bad airline?
Air India is a mixed airline that is improving under Tata Group ownership, but it still struggles with major service and fleet inconsistencies.
Is Air India a cheap flight?
No, Air India is not a budget or low-cost airline; it is a full-service carrier, though its ticket prices can sometimes match or beat budget competitors depending on the route.
