A major UK airline has been crowned the best in Europe for 2026, beating off competition from some of the continent’s biggest names in one of the aviation industry’s most closely watched awards. The annual Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) Awards are based on millions of anonymous traveller reviews and recognise excellence in everything from cabin service and seat comfort to onboard dining, entertainment and Wi-Fi.The top European honour went to Virgin Atlantic, which was named Best Overall Airline in Europe for 2026. It comes as the airline continues to expand its international network, having recently launched its first-ever flights to Seoul in South Korea. Later this year, the brand founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1984 will start a new seasonal route to Phuket, Thailand. The win highlights the growing importance of passengers’ onboard experience, with airlines around the world now investing heavily in everything from better food to faster Wi-Fi. Virgin Atlantic has been named the best overall airline in Europe in the 2026 APEX Awards Turkish Airlines took the gong for both Best Entertainment and Best Food & Beverage APEX Group CEO Dr Joe Leader said: ‘Passenger feedback remains one of the clearest indicators of how airlines are delivering on the experiences travellers value most.’ While Virgin’s success was the standout result in Europe, several other major airlines were also recognised. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines won Best Cabin Service, while Turkish Airlines picked up two awards for Best Entertainment and Best Food & Beverage. Meanwhile, Finnair was named Best Seat Comfort and airBaltic scooped the award for Best Wi-Fi.Elsewhere, some of the world’s biggest airlines dominated the global categories.Korean Air was named Best Cabin Service worldwide, reflecting its reputation for unparalleled customer service on routes including its direct flights between London and Seoul. Emirates, meanwhile, took home the award for Best Entertainment, with UK passengers using the airline to travel to destinations such as Dubai, Bangkok, and Sydney. Qatar Airways won Best Food & Beverage globally, adding to its reputation for premium onboard dining. The carrier is a popular choice for travellers flying from the UK to destinations including the Maldives, Bali, and Singapore via Doha. Korean Air took the global lead as best for cabin service Qatar was celebrated for its superior in-flight Food & Beverage service Best EUROPE airlines in 2026 APEX Awards ?• Best Cabin Service: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines?• Best Entertainment: Turkish Airlines?• Best Food & Beverage: Turkish Airlines??• Best Seat Comfort: Finnair?• Best Wi-Fi: airBaltic <!- – ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/travel/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 – ->
Best GLOBAL airlines in 2026 APEX Awards ?• Best Cabin Service: Korean Air??• Best Entertainment: Emirates?• Best Food & Beverage: Qatar Airways?• Best Seat Comfort: Eva Air?• Best Wi-Fi: Delta Air Lines <!- – ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/travel/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_2 – ->
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines claimed Best Wi-Fi, recognising its efforts to improve onboard connectivity with its fast, free in-flight Wi-Fi for all SkyMiles members on most flights. The airline operates flights from London to major US cities including New York, Atlanta and Boston.Other global winners included EVA Air, which was recognised for Best Seat Comfort.Back on the ground, seven ultra-glam airports, where design is considered as important as efficiency, have been crowned the most beautiful in the world by a prestigious French design and architecture awards body. The Prix Versailles, presented at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, picks the world’s most beautiful airports every year, with seven named on the 2026 list.Around the world, a diverse variety of venues have made the latest Prix Versailles cut – however, no UK airport hubs have been selected.The criteria? A blend of aesthetic, social, cultural and ecological features. Jerome Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles, said: ‘Whether they have newly appeared on the horizon or undergone a major renovation, contemporary airports and airport terminals are innovative, inescapable hallmarks of their regions and their eras. ‘They are innovative because they resolve the apparent conflict between the increasing frequency of travel and the need for speed – both central to an airport’s purpose – on the one hand and, on the other, the singularity of a form of tourism that aims to be accessible and that values people’s time in places that, in this day and age, can no longer be described as mere “transfer” spaces.’