Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.IndiGo ranks 9th among world's top budget airlines in 2026 rankings
IndiGo has entered the world’s top 10 budget airlines, securing the ninth position in the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The Indian carrier also won three regional awards, while Air India received four awards across regional categories.
Malaysia’s AirAsia retained the top spot in the world’s best low-cost airlines category, winning the title for the 17th consecutive year. Airlines from India’s neighbouring countries Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka failed to find a place in the global top 100.
IndiGo wins South Asia award for 16th time
IndiGo was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia for the 16th time at the World Airline Awards 2026. The airline also picked up two other major regional awards, taking its total regional recognition at this year’s event to three.
IndiGo currently operates services to 137 destinations, including 94 domestic and 43 international cities.
AirAsia retains global budget airline crown
Malaysia-based AirAsia continued its long run at the top of the budget airline rankings. It has won the Skytrax title every year since 2010. The airline operates from its Kuala Lumpur hub to 166 destinations across 25 countries.
AirAsia co-founder and chairman Kamarudin bin Meranun received the 2026 Best Low-Cost Airline award.
Key points from the budget airline rankings include:
- AirAsia remained at No. 1 for the 17th consecutive year.
- IndiGo secured the ninth position globally.
- IndiGo was named the Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia for the 16th time.
- Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had no airline in the global top 100.
Air India receives four regional awards
Air India received four awards in the regional and South Asia categories at the World Airline Awards 2026.
Its low-cost arm, Air India Express, also secured the fourth position among the best low-cost airlines in India and South Asia. The awards add to the recognition received by Indian carriers across both full-service and budget airline categories this year.
Singapore Airlines named Airline of Year
Singapore Airlines was named the Airline of the Year for 2026. The airline was recognised for its customer service, food and in-flight entertainment.
It serves specially prepared meals created by well-known chefs across its different cabin classes. Together with its low-cost carrier Scoot, Singapore Airlines operates more than 180 flights connecting over 110 cities worldwide.
Skytrax awards assess passenger experience
Skytrax is a UK-based international aviation research organisation that prepares ratings and reviews of airlines and airports across the world.
Its annual World Airline Awards are based on passenger feedback covering several aspects of air travel, including:
- Cabin cleanliness and seat comfort.
- Food and beverage quality.
- In-flight entertainment.
- Cabin crew and staff service.
- Overall passenger experience.
The awards are widely known in the aviation industry as the ‘Oscars of Aviation’.
Survey covers millions of passengers worldwide
The 2026 rankings were based on a survey conducted between September 2025 and August 2026. More than 24.8 million passengers from over 100 countries participated in the survey. The study covered more than 300 airlines operating across different parts of the world. Passengers assessed airlines on their services, cleanliness, punctuality and cabin crew behaviour.
Indian carriers gain recognition across categories
The 2026 results place IndiGo among the world’s top 10 budget airlines while also retaining its long-standing regional position in India and South Asia.
Air India’s four regional awards and Air India Express’ fourth-place ranking further underline the presence of Indian carriers across the major categories covered by the Skytrax awards.
