On October 20, 2026, Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), recognized worldwide as a leader in luxury hospitality evaluations, unveiled the winners of the third annual Verified™ Air Travel Awards. This prestigious ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements in air travel, spotlighting excellence across airlines, airports, and private aviation services.
Top Airlines and Airports of 2026
This year, the awards highlighted triumphant performances in 18 categories. Delta Air Lines regained its crown as the Best U.S. Airline for the third year in a row, while Emirates was once again recognized as the Best International Airline. In the airport category, LaGuardia Airport took the title of Best U.S. Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport claimed the Best International Airport award, continuing its tradition of excellence.
Innovative Developments in Air Travel
One of the standout winners in this year's ceremonies was Air New Zealand, awarded the Innovation of the Year for introducing the Skynest, which allows economy passengers to enjoy a flat sleeping experience on long flights—an exciting development in airline comfort.
Delta Leads the Pack
Delta not only secured the Best U.S. Airline title but also picked up a total of six awards, including Best U.S. First Class and Best Loyalty Program, showcasing its commitment to enhancing passenger experiences across various travel segments.
The results were based on an exclusive, invitation-only survey, conducted among nearly 9,000 seasoned travelers in the hospitality sector. This included luxury travel advisors, leaders from FTG Star-Rated hotels, and FTG’s elite inspectors. The integrity of FTG’s well-established Star Ratings system, which has been in place for over 68 years, has ensured that the results of these awards are trustworthy and reflective of authentic travel experiences.
Hermann Elger, the CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, remarked, “The Verified Air Travel Awards demonstrate the insights and preferences of some of the world’s most discerning travelers. The winners have truly distinguished themselves by delivering exceptional service at every stage of the travel journey.”
A Celebration of Excellence
The selected winners will be honored at The Summit in Monaco, a dedicated event for luxury brands and travel, set for February 2027. This gathering will serve as a platform to further recognize and celebrate the highest standards in luxury travel.
For those looking to explore the full list of winners from the 2026 Verified Air Travel Awards, you can find the details on ForbesTravelGuide.com.
Note: It’s important to differentiate that the Verified Air Travel Awards are not the same as the Star Ratings awarded by Forbes Travel Guide. Instead, these awards stem from a specialized survey aimed at discerning travelers, and FTG has duly verified the outcomes.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Since 1958, Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) has proudly served as the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, cruise ships, and associated dining experiences. With a focus on aiding travelers in making well-informed decisions, FTG introduced the Verified Air Travel Awards in 2024, drawing upon the expertise of luxury travel advisors, Star-Rated hotel leaders, and seasoned inspectors. To learn more about FTG, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com and for information about The Summit, go to Summit.ForbesTravelGuide.com.
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