Air travel is getting a major upgrade. Several commercial airlines this year expanded their premium offerings, from introducing cabin tiers like basic business to outfitting first-class suites with even more luxuries than before. Forbes Travel Guide’s third annual Verified Air Travel Awards recognize those airlines and airports that provide passengers top-of-the-line service, comfort and style.
The 18 awards for 2026 encompass everything from the best first-class cabins to top airport dining. Delta Air Lines racked up six wins—the most of any carrier—including Best U.S. Airline and Best U.S. Airline Lounge for its Delta One space at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Singapore Changi, with its dramatic indoor waterfall, earned Best International Airport, while New York’s LaGuardia was recognized as the Best U.S. Airport. The Innovation of the Year award went to Air New Zealand, which achieved an industry first: lie-flat options for economy passengers.
To find the best in air travel, a Forbes Travel Guide executive editorial committee narrowed down a list of nominees for each category. The winners were then determined by an invitation-only survey of nearly 9,000 of the most well-traveled people in the hospitality industry, including luxury travel advisors and our most frequent fliers—incognito travel inspectors and training team members. The results were validated by the experts at Forbes Travel Guide, known for the integrity and objectivity of our 68-year-old Star Ratings system, which uses incognito evaluations by expert inspectors for the annual ratings of hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships.
Read below to see the airlines and airports that soared this year.
2026 Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards
Best International Airline
Emirates
The Dubai-based carrier known for lavish airport lounges and first-class cabins (more on these below) is elevating its economy offerings. In July, it introduced the padded, flexible U-Dream Headrest, designed to provide full neck and head support for economy passengers. The carrier also plans to outfit its A350 planes with the industry’s first electric-powered, full-height privacy screen for premium economy.
Best U.S. Airline
Delta
Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta flew more than 200 million passengers last year. With a global network spanning more than 300 destinations across six continents, the airline prioritizes premium service, top-tier customer satisfaction and industry-leading on-time arrivals.
Best Small Airline
JSX
As commercial airlines start cashing in on different business class tiers, the Dallas-based semi-private carrier has been catering to these kinds of travelers for 10 years. JSX’s planes come outfitted with 30 leather seats in a two-one layout, its private terminals allow you to check in 20 minutes before takeoff and the charter conveniently delivers bags planeside after landing. Pets also get the VIP treatment.
Best International Airport
Singapore Changi Airport
You have likely seen jaw-dropping images of Singapore Changi Airport’s Rain Vortex waterfall and heard about its 24-hour movie theater, but an underrated aspect of the entertainment hub doubling as an airport may be its impressive arts collection. From an installation with 1,216 droplets of rain to gigantic pieces shaped like seed pods, the place blooms with creative expression.
Best U.S. Airport
LaGuardia Airport
The Queens, New York-based LGA continues its reign as the best airport in the country. It won the title for the third year in a row for its new modern design and art curated by the nonprofit Public Art Fund and the Queens Museum. This year, it debuted Capital One Landing, a dining-centered lounge featuring fare from renowned chef José Andrés.
Best International First Class
Emirates First Class on the Boeing 777-300ER
This first-class Emirates cabin is like your own hotel room. Inside the fully enclosed luxury suite, you can slip into soft loungewear (yours to bring home), adjust temperature controls and mood lighting, rest in the leather zero-gravity chair, freshen up with Bvlgari toiletries and order room service whenever a craving strikes.
Best U.S. First Class
Delta Air Lines First Class on the A321neo
The reasons Delta’s first class is a repeat winner here are obvious: futuristic design, memory-foam seats, plenty of storage and ample power outlets. And with some Delta First cabins expanding this past summer from 20 seats to 44 for flights between Atlanta and select West Coast cities (L.A., San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle), even more flyers have a chance to experience it.
Best International Business Class
Qatar Airways Qsuites on the Airbus A350-1000
There is business class and then there are Qatar Airways’ cabins in the clouds. With privacy doors, ambient lighting, a “Do Not Disturb” indicator and more posh extras, Qsuites take comfort at 40,000 feet to new heights. The only downside to stretching out on the quilted mattress provided at turndown is that you might sleep through dinner service.
Best U.S. Business Class
Delta One
Delta One suites pile on the perks: lie-flat seats, colorful Missoni toiletry bags with Grown Alchemist skincare products and this month, a new wine program with prominent Napa labels, including Silver Oak and Trefethen, alongside global picks like Cune from Spain’s Rioja region and Jean-Marc Brocard from Chablis, France. Plus, passengers get access to dedicated Delta One check-in and lounges.
Best Independent Airport Lounge
Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno, Hamad International Airport
It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time visitor in awe of monogrammed furnishings and gallery-worthy art or a frequent traveler who appreciates an all-day roster of sandwiches, salads and sublime tasting menus, everyone understands just how special this lavish 24-hour lounge sitting directly above Hamad International Airport’s Louis Vuitton boutique is.
“Receiving this award for the third consecutive year is a great honor,” said Yannick Alléno, an acclaimed chef with restaurants everywhere from Monaco to aboard Orient Express Corinthian ship. “With Louis Vuitton, we wanted to turn time at the airport into a true moment of hospitality. This award recognizes the commitment of our teams, who bring that vision to life every day. I am very proud of what we have built together.”
Best International Airline Lounge
Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai
Though details surrounding the renovation of the Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai International’s Concourse C were sparse at press time, the upgrades should keep the lounge in contention for this honor moving forward. The expansive space already features coveted amenities, such as spa showers, three-course meals and direct boarding.
Best U.S. Airline Lounge
Delta One, JFK Airport
You will want to arrive early at the airport to linger in this lounge. The 140-seat Brasserie serves three-course meals with dishes like hamachi crudo and lasagna Bolognese. The gold-accented Art Deco bar, with nods to Radio City Music Hall, is buzzing. And the terrace is a breath of fresh air with a retractable roof for year-round enjoyment.
Best Airport Dining
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport’s 200-plus dining options—choices range from The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck’s burgers to Heavenly Wang’s soft buns to Tutto by Da Paolo’s pasta Bolognese—not only reflect the city’s international culinary scene, but they ensure everyone in your group has something delicious to eat during the long layover.
Best In-Flight Culinary Collaboration
Air France and Daniel Boulud
Daniel Boulud and Air France pair together like steak and frites. The New York-based French chef, who helms Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Daniel on the Upper East Side, crafts dishes for U.S.-to-Charles de Gaulle flights in La Première and Business class. Boulud recommends ordering the steamed halibut with lemon-crushed potato and lobster sauce or the chicken with saffron, turnips, pumpkin and green olive semolina.
While airplane food gets a bad rap, Boulud seeks to change the perception. “We insist on high-quality ingredients and strict adherence to our recipes,” he said. “Our ambition is to deliver a consistently excellent dining experience in the air, combining the creativity of great chefs with the precision and discipline required by airline catering,” Boulud said.
Innovation of the Year
Air New Zealand’s Economy Skynest
Air New Zealand unveiled the world’s first lie-flat sleep pods for economy and premium economy passengers. Skynest stacks six pods like triple bunk beds, and each can be reserved for a four-hour session. They will be available on the 18-hour route from New York to Auckland starting in November. Learn more here.
Best Loyalty Program
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
It’s easy to become a Delta SkyMiles member and even easier to earn never-expiring miles, whether you fly with the airline or shop through the SkyMiles portal. Still, the perk that might pique the most interest is the 15% discount on award flights for those who have a Delta SkyMiles American Express card (Reserve, Platinum or Gold).
Best Private Airport Experience
The Windsor by Heathrow, London, LHR
The Windsor makes traveling through busy Heathrow a luxurious experience. A chauffeured electric BMW i7 or Mercedes-Benz V-Class picks you up at home or at the aircraft, airport processes are expedited and the eight private lounges come with butlers. Then there are the exclusive details: the museum-worthy art collection includes works from the likes of Banksy and Andy Warhol, British fragrance brand AUGUST&PIERS created its signature scent and it’s the first VIP airport to serve a traditional British afternoon tea, designed by pastry chef Cherish Finden.
Best Airline App
Delta Air Lines Fly Delta
Consider the all-in-one Fly Delta app your pocket-sized travel professional, providing live flight updates, personalized notifications and luggage tracking. But, in the event there are ever issues surrounding your flight, the airline’s AI-powered concierge can help with schedule changes, missing bags or SkyMiles questions.
The Verified Air Travel Award winners will be honored at The Summit, Forbes Travel Guide’s annual event dedicated to travel and luxury, in Monaco February 23 to 26, 2027.
