Cathay Pacific has been named as the second best full-service airline in AirlineRatings.com’s annual global awards.

Hong Kong’s flag carrier placed second after Qatar Airways in the World’s Best Airline Awards for 2026 organized by the Australia-based airline safety and product rating organization. Singapore Airlines ranked third.

Cathay, which landed fourth in the rankings in 2025, also won this year's World’s Best Business Class award for its Aria Suite cabins and the World’s Best Airline-Branded Lounges.

HK Express was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier while Cathay Cargo was recognized as the World’s Best Airline-Branded Cargo Operations.

Selected by the AirlineRatings's team, the awards focus solely on inflight product and passenger experience and are built around expert editor reviews, overall product choice, consistency for passengers, innovation and value.

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"We are honored to receive these recognitions, which serve as a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our teams across Cathay,” said Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam Siu-por.  

“From premium travel, cargo to low‑cost travel, these accolades motivate us to keep innovating and raising the bar.”

AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen said HK Express, a wholly owned subsidiary under the Cathay Group, won the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier award for its "consistently excellent" cabin crew and for having "undoubtedly the world’s best low-cost carrier onboard menu".

“The menu, which we have been able to sample, is a defining highlight, offering a true taste of traditional Hong Kong street food alongside a selection of international favorites,” Petersen said.

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“The culinary experience is as much a part of the journey as the destination itself.”

Cathay Pacific was ranked among the world’s top three airlines by Skytrax and its Economy class and inflight entertainment named the world’s best last year.

Also in 2025, Cathay Cargo was named the world’s best cargo operator by Air Transport World while HK Express was named among the top three world’s most improved airlines by Skytrax.