Emirates has taken home the Best Overall Airline in the Middle East title at the 2026 APEX Best in Airline Awards, with the recognition announced at a ceremony in Dublin, Ireland.
The award is based on verified passenger feedback across five performance pillars: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment, and connectivity.
Passenger scores across all cabin classes drove the win. Emirates has been rolling out new Safran Z400 lightweight economy seats from October, while its Premium Economy and Business Class cabins continue to draw praise for lie-flat beds, generous legroom, and elevated privacy features. First Class remains a benchmark for luxury, with fully enclosed private suites that convert to flat beds and offer personalised climate and lighting controls.
Cabin service was another standout area. The airline's crew, representing over 140 nationalities and speaking more than 70 languages, undergo training rooted in Michelin-starred hospitality standards. The result is a service experience built around anticipating passenger needs rather than simply fulfilling them.
On the food and beverage front, Emirates offers multi-course meals across all classes with options spanning vegan, gluten-free, and culturally specific menus. Business Class passengers can pair meals with Moët and Chandon champagne, while First Class customers have access to Dom Pérignon and unlimited caviar on demand, the only airline in the world to offer this across its global network.
The airline's ice entertainment platform, with over 6,500 channels including content from HBO Max, Disney+, and Spotify, remains one of aviation's most comprehensive systems. Connectivity is also advancing rapidly, with Starlink already installed across 33 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and the first three A380s, as part of a full fleet rollout expected by mid-2027.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
