2026 APEX Awards: Ethiopian Airlines and African Leaders Shine in Passenger Experience
The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) has unveiled the winners of the 2026 APEX Four Star™ and Five Star™ Airline Awards. These accolades honor airlines across the globe based on validated passenger feedback collected through a partnership with TripIt® from Concur®.
African Contenders in Regional Categories
In the African region, APEX recognized winners across six categories:
- Best Overall Airline
- Best Entertainment
- Best Cabin Service
- Best Wi-Fi
- Best Food & Beverage
- Best Seat Comfort
These awards derive from more than one million passenger-verified flight ratings, spanning over 600 airlines, with certification provided by an independent audit firm.
African Representation in Global Star Ratings
African airlines featured prominently in the global rankings. Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways were included among the APEX Four Star™ Global Airlines, while Air Mauritius, Kenya Airways, EgyptAir, and Royal Air Maroc earned recognition as APEX Four Star™ Major Airlines. Airlink was acknowledged in the APEX Four Star™ Regional Airlines category.
Global Leaders in APEX Best™ Passenger Experience Awards
Globally, the awards highlighted:
- Emirates for Best Entertainment
- Korean Air for Best Cabin Service
- Qatar Airways for Best Food & Beverage
- EVA Air for Best Seat Comfort
- Delta Air Lines for Best Wi-Fi
The APEX Five Star™ Global Airlines list included notables such as Air France, Etihad Airways, KLM, Qantas, SWISS, and Virgin Atlantic. Meanwhile, APEX Four Star™ Global Airlines featured airlines like British Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, and Thai Airways International.
Scott Kirby Honored with CEO Lifetime Achievement Award
The presentation of these awards was part of the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO at Long Beach Convention Center from September 9–11, 2025. Additionally, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby received the CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, recognized for his “long-term efforts, dedication, and sustained commitment” to improving the passenger experience.
