Key facts
- Virgin Atlantic was named the best airline in Europe at the 2026 APEX Best Awards.
- The awards are based on feedback from millions of passengers rating their flights.
- Turkish Airlines won awards for best entertainment and best food and beverages.
- KLM was recognized for best cabin service, airBaltic for best wifi, and Finnair for seat comfort.
- Global winners were announced, but no European airlines secured these top spots.
Virgin Atlantic has been awarded the title of best airline in Europe at the 2026 APEX Best Awards, an annual event that recognizes excellence in air travel based on passenger feedback. The awards, organized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), cover various aspects of the onboard experience, including cabin service, entertainment, food and beverages, seat comfort, and wifi.
Turkish Airlines was the only European carrier to secure wins in multiple categories, taking home awards for best entertainment and best food and beverages. Other European airlines also received recognition: KLM was honored for its cabin service, airBaltic for its wifi offerings, and Finnair for seat comfort. airBaltic was noted as the first European operator to implement Starlink wifi in early 2025.
While European airlines excelled in regional categories, no European carrier won in the overall global categories. These global awards included best cabin service for Korean Air, best entertainment for Emirates, best food and beverage for Qatar Airways, best seat comfort for Eva Air, and best wifi for Delta Air Lines. APEX Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader emphasized that passenger feedback is a key indicator of airline performance and that this year's winners are demonstrating innovation by listening to and acting on traveler insights.