August 19, 2026, 11:55 am | Read time: 4 minutes

There are always new awards where airlines can showcase their strengths—or their shortcomings become apparent. Often chosen by experts, these awards determine the best, worst, or even the safest airlines in the world or regionally, as well as subcategories such as the best economy class. The ranking discussed in this text features a unique aspect, a distinct group of experts. The Flyer’s Choice Awards 2026, organized by the comparison platform AirlineRatings.com, are based solely on the opinions and experiences of air travelers, as the name suggests. Among other things, they have named the three best airlines in Europe.

Methodology

The Flyer’s Choice Awards 2026 are a conglomerate of various awards. In addition to regional awards for the best airlines in the U.S. and Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Australia and the Pacific, Northeast Asia, Central and Southeast Asia, and South and Central America, there are themed awards. For example, the best liveries, best low-cost carriers, preferred business, premium economy, and economy classes were chosen, as well as cabin crew and their uniforms.

Unlike other awards from AirlineRatings.com, where winners are determined by a team of experts based on strict and measurable criteria, the results of the Flyer’s Choice Awards were based solely on travelers’ votes, explains the airline comparison portal. “The awards honor the airlines that passengers consider to provide the best travel experience in various categories,” it states. Travelers’ votes thus offer a “direct insight into which airlines earn travelers’ trust and loyalty.” However, how these votes were collected and how many travelers participated in the survey remains unclear.

These Are the Three Best Airlines in Europe

The regional category of Europe is presented in the Flyer’s Choice Awards 2026 as United Kingdom/Europe. And it is a British airline that travelers in Europe like the most: British Airways ranks first for the second consecutive year, making it Europe’s best airline according to travelers.

In second place is Lufthansa, the only German airline in the ranking. The third place was secured by the Dutch airline KLM.

Also from the United Kingdom is the third-place winner in the category of best low-cost carriers. Here, EasyJet shares third place with the Australian airline Jetstar. Beyond that, no other European airline secured a spot in the themed rankings of this year’s Flyer’s Choice Awards.

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Overall Winner Singapore Airlines

The overall winner of the Flyer’s Choice Awards 2026 and thus the best airline worldwide according to travelers is Singapore Airlines, according to AirlineRatings.com. The Singaporean airline ranks first in four categories, starting with first place in its own region, Central and Southeast Asia. Vietnam Airlines and Philippine Airlines follow in second and third place, respectively.

Singapore Airlines also stands out with the most popular economy class among travelers and the best cabin service. Additionally, the airline seems to provide travelers with the best sense of security in a global comparison of airlines, closely followed by the Australian airline Qantas.

The Winners of the Flyer’s Choice Awards 2026 at a Glance

Best Airlines by Region

United Kingdom/Europe:

1. British Airways
2. Lufthansa
3. KLM

U.S./Canada:

1. Delta Air Lines
2. United
3. American Airlines

Middle East and Africa:

1. Emirates
2. Qatar Airways
3. Etihad Airways

Australia and the Pacific:

1. Qantas
2. Air New Zealand
3. Virgin Australia

Northeast Asia:

1. Cathay Pacific
2. Japan Airlines
3. ANA

Central and Southeast Asia:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Vietnam Airlines
3. Philippine Airlines

South and Central America:

1. LATAM
2. Avianca
3. Aeroméxico

Best Airlines by Theme

Best Livery:

1. Vietnam Airlines
2. Air New Zealand
3. Etihad Airways

Preferred Low-Cost Carrier:

1. Vietjet Air
2. AirAsia
3. Jetstar and EasyJet

Preferred Business Class:

1. Qatar Airways
2. Emirates
3. Singapore Airlines

Best Premium Economy Class:

1. Emirates
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Air New Zealand

Preferred Economy Class:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates
3. Air New Zealand

Best Cabin Crew Uniform:

1. Vietjet Air
2. Malaysia Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines

Best Cabin Crew:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates
3. Etihad Airways