Ethiopian Airlines secures the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ title at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards for the ninth consecutive year, alongside honors for onboard catering and business class service

Borkena Desk
(Toronto, Canada) — Ethiopian Airlines has won the prestigious ‘Best Airline in Africa’ title at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, marking the ninth consecutive year the carrier has earned the honor. Often described as “the Oscars of the aviation industry,” the World Airline Awards began in 1999 and are based on comprehensive global passenger satisfaction surveys.
The 2026 ceremony took place on September 18 at The Langham Hotel in London, bringing together global airline executives to recognize excellence in customer experience. Last year, Ethiopian Airlines transported more than 21 million passengers across its 140 worldwide destinations.
In addition to taking top regional honors, the airline was recognized for Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa and Best Business Class in Africa, according to corporate disclosures.
Commenting on the milestone, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said, “Being recognized as the Skytrax Best Airline in Africa for the ninth consecutive year is a proud milestone for Ethiopian Airlines. This achievement reflects the confidence that our valued customers place in us, the dedication of our employees, and our continued commitment to delivering world-class service. We are honored by the recognition and remain committed to delivering excellence to every passenger we serve.”
The airline attributed its ongoing success to the tireless efforts of its workforce. With well over 20,000 employees globally, Ethiopian stands as the second-largest employing business entity in the country, trailing only MIDROC Ethiopia, which remains the private sector’s largest employer with over 80,000 workers.
Looking ahead, Ethiopian Airlines is pressing forward with major infrastructure initiatives, including the development of the Bishoftu International Airport—a $12.5 billion mega-project located 44 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa designed to handle over 120 million passengers annually upon completion. The carrier is also constructing an employee housing project for 5,000 workers slated for completion this Ethiopian year, alongside a modern fleet exceeding 150 aircraft and pending orders with Boeing.
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