Air Canada Named Best Airline in North America for the 10th Time
September 18, 2026 Team Contributor
Air Canada has been named Best Airline in North America at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards. This is the second consecutive year the airline has claimed the title and the tenth time overall since 2010.
It had a long winning streak from 2010 to 2018, and then, after a long gap, it bagged the prestigious award in 2025. With back-to-back wins, it seems to be repeating history.
The award will be presented today at a gala ceremony at The Langham Hotel in London. It is based on customer satisfaction surveys collected from millions of travelers worldwide, often described in the industry as the closest thing aviation has to the Oscars. This makes it a coveted category for all airlines.
Awards galore for Air Canada
Best Airline in North America wasn’t the only honour on the night. The Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto was recognized as the World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining for the third consecutive year. Canada’s largest airline also picked up Best Cabin Crew in Canada, Best Economy On Board Catering in North America, and Best Business Class Lounge in North America.
Air Canada also climbed two spots in the broader World’s Top 100 Airlines ranking, landing at 17th globally and becoming the only North American carrier to break into the top 20.
The thumbs-up from Skytrax
Unlike many industry accolades, the Skytrax World Airline Awards are wholly independent, with no entry fees, sponsorships, or charges tied to the results. Touted as the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey where travellers have a say, the awards date back to 1999, when they were introduced. The media calls it “the Oscars of the aviation industry”. No wonder bagging one adds another feather to the airline’s cap.
Air Canada took the top spot among North America’s airlines, ahead of Delta Air Lines, Porter Airlines and United Airlines. It faced worthy competition from other major players in the aviation industry.
The 2025-2026 survey ran from September 2025 through August 2026, drawing responses from more than 100 customer nationalities across over 300 airlines, in eight languages. That the survey could be taken in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean itself speaks of the inclusion and impact. Every entry is screened to filter out duplicate or suspect submissions before results are finalized, which is part of why the award carries weight across the aviation industry.
Air Canada’s sustained investment in enhancing travel experience
The win comes after a multi-year push by Air Canada to upgrade the customer experience at nearly every touchpoint. That includes fast, free Wi-Fi sponsored by Bell, an expanded mobile app, complimentary premium snacks, wine and beer across all flights, and additional content on its in-flight entertainment system.
The airline has also invested in new and upgraded lounges, streamlined airport processes, and intermodal booking options that let travellers combine air and ground transportation on a single ticket.
Earlier this year, Air Canada also introduced its next-generation cabin design aboard the newly entered Airbus A321XLR, branded the Glowing Hearted design, built around comfort, care, and a distinctly Canadian sense of connection.
A moment of rejoicing at Air Canada
“We’re incredibly proud to be named Best Airline in North America,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada, speaking on behalf of the airline’s 40,000 coworkers worldwide. He called the recognition especially meaningful because it reflects direct customer experience, crediting staff professionalism and hospitality as the driving force behind the win.
From the traveller’s lens
For Canadians weighing airline options, an independently verified, customer-driven award like this further deepens trust, beyond marketing claims, particularly for premium travellers evaluating lounge access, business class service, or long-haul comfort.
With Air Canada’s Signature Suite lounges at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International both built around locally inspired menus and Canadian wine selections, the airline’s premium offering continues to be a meaningful differentiator heading into 2027 booking season.
Air Canada revealed the 30 Best New Restaurants in Canada list just a day ago.
Deciding between economy, premium economy, or business class still comes down to how you travel, and a travel advisor can help weigh that against your budget before you book. Connect with travel advisors who track these details daily, so you can focus on capturing the experience to come, not the work behind it.
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