What happened? Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have taken the top three spots in the Middle East and Africa category at the 2026 AirlineRatings.com Flyers’ Choice Awards.
Who is affected? The results are relevant to passengers across the UAE, GCC and international travel market, particularly those comparing airlines and cabin experiences.
Why does it matter? Unlike expert-led airline rankings, the Flyers’ Choice Awards are based on passenger votes, offering a direct look at the carriers travellers say they prefer.
- Location: Global awards, with a Middle East and Africa category
- Organisation: AirlineRatings.com
- Status: 2026 Flyers’ Choice Awards announced
- Who is affected: Airline passengers and travellers comparing carriers
- Business impact: Passenger recognition strengthens the global profile of major Gulf airlines
- What’s next: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad continue investing in cabins, connectivity and passenger services
Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have emerged as the three favourite airlines in the Middle East and Africa in the 2026 AirlineRatings.com Flyers’ Choice Awards. Emirates took first place, followed by Qatar Airways and Etihad, based entirely on passenger votes.
The awards, announced by AirlineRatings.com, also saw Emirates named the preferred premium economy airline, while Qatar Airways won Preferred Business Class. Singapore Airlines was the biggest overall winner, taking four passenger-voted titles.
For UAE travellers, the results underline the continued strength of the country’s two major international carriers and their position in a highly competitive global aviation market.
Emirates leads the Middle East and Africa
Emirates retained its position as the preferred airline in the Middle East and Africa, with Qatar Airways in second and Etihad Airways in third.
The Dubai-based airline also performed strongly across cabin categories. It ranked first for Preferred Premium Economy, second for Preferred Business Class, Preferred Economy, and Best Cabin Crew.
The results are particularly notable because they reflect passenger preferences rather than a judging panel.
AirlineRatings.com says the Flyers’ Choice Awards are separate from its World’s Safest Airlines and World’s Best Airline rankings, which are assessed by its editorial team using measurable criteria.
That distinction matters when reading the results. The awards show which airlines passengers are choosing and responding positively to, rather than presenting an overall technical ranking of the aviation industry.
Qatar Airways takes the Business Class crown
Qatar Airways won Preferred Business Class, finishing ahead of Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
A major factor highlighted by AirlineRatings.com was the carrier’s Qsuite Business Class product, which continues to attract passenger support years after its introduction.
Qsuite offers private suites with closing doors, lie-flat beds and flexible spaces that can be configured for passengers travelling together. Qatar Airways says the product is available on selected routes, so passengers need to check aircraft and route availability when booking.
The result adds to Qatar Airways’ strong reputation in premium travel. The airline was also named the World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Etihad ranks among the passenger favourites
Etihad Airways secured third place in the Middle East and Africa regional category and appeared in several other award lists.
The Abu Dhabi carrier ranked:
- Third for Best Cabin Crew
- Third for Best Aircraft Livery
- Third in the Middle East and Africa
- Among the seven airlines recognised for Peace of Mind
Singapore Airlines topped the Peace of Mind category, followed by Qantas, with Etihad third and Emirates fourth.
The recognition comes after another strong year for Etihad. AirlineRatings ranked the Abu Dhabi airline number one among the world’s safest full-service airlines for 2026, ahead of Cathay Pacific and Qantas.
Etihad has also been expanding and modernising its fleet, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A380 aircraft, as it grows its international network from Abu Dhabi.
Singapore Airlines wins four passenger-voted awards
While the Gulf airlines dominated their regional category, Singapore Airlines was the most decorated carrier overall.
It won four awards:
- Preferred Economy Airline
- Best Cabin Crew
- Preferred Airline in Central and South East Asia
- Airline That Gave the Greatest Peace of Mind
It also finished third in Preferred Business Class and second in Preferred Premium Economy.
Other regional winners included Delta Air Lines for the USA and Canada, British Airways for the UK and Europe, Cathay Pacific for North East Asia, LATAM for South and Central America, and Qantas for Australia and the Pacific.
Why UAE airlines are standing out
The latest passenger awards come as UAE carriers continue investing heavily in the onboard experience.
Emirates, for example, is carrying out a $5 billion retrofit programme covering 219 aircraft, including 110 Airbus A380s and 109 Boeing 777s. The programme includes refreshed cabins and Premium Economy, while the airline is also rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi across 232 aircraft.
In July 2026, Emirates said its retrofit programme had reached 100 aircraft, with more than half of the 219 aircraft expected to be completed by December 2026. The next phase is scheduled to introduce 4K OLED HDR10+ seatback screens and new lightweight seats from October.
The investment is also being recognised elsewhere. In June, Emirates was named Best Overall Airline in the Middle East at the 2026 APEX Awards, based on verified passenger feedback covering seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and connectivity.
Why It Matters
For UAE residents, the awards provide another useful reference when comparing airlines for international trips.
The three Gulf carriers offer extensive global networks through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, making them important choices for residents travelling for holidays, business and connecting journeys.
The results also show that passenger experience remains a major part of airline competition. Cabin comfort, crew service, connectivity, premium products and passengers’ sense of confidence can all influence how travellers view an airline.
With Emirates continuing its fleet refurbishment and connectivity upgrades, Qatar Airways maintaining its focus on Qsuite and premium travel, and Etihad expanding its modern fleet, competition among Gulf carriers is unlikely to slow down.
FAQs
Which airline was voted the favourite in the Middle East and Africa in 2026?
Emirates was voted the preferred airline in the Middle East and Africa, followed by Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
Which airline won Best Business Class in 2026?
Qatar Airways won Preferred Business Class, with Emirates second and Singapore Airlines third.
Did Emirates win any other 2026 Flyers’ Choice awards?
Yes. Emirates won Preferred Premium Economy and finished second for Preferred Economy, Preferred Business Class and Best Cabin Crew.
How did Etihad perform in the 2026 awards?
Etihad ranked third in the Middle East and Africa and also finished third for Best Cabin Crew and Best Aircraft Livery. It was among seven airlines recognised in the Peace of Mind category.
Are these awards based on expert judging?
No. The Flyers’ Choice Awards are based on passenger votes. This is different from AirlineRatings.com’s expert-led World’s Safest Airlines and World’s Best Airline rankings.
The 2026 Flyers’ Choice Awards have put three Gulf airlines firmly in the global spotlight, with Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad taking the top three places in the Middle East and Africa. With continued investment in aircraft, cabins, connectivity and service, the UAE and wider Gulf aviation sector remains a major force in international travel.
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