Turkish Airlines Wins Europe’s Top Airline Honor for the 11th Time

Turkish Airlines has been named Europe’s best airline for the 11th time at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, adding to its standing in one of the industry’s most watched annual rankings.

The awards were presented Sept. 18 in London, and the airline announced the results the next day from Istanbul. In addition to the top Europe award, Turkish Airlines said it won best business class onboard catering in the world for the 10th time and best airline in Southern Europe for the 13th time. The carrier also said it rose to fifth place in Skytrax’s global ranking of the world’s best airlines.

In total, Turkish Airlines said it received eight awards at this year’s ceremony, including five additional honors tied to economy and business class service in Europe and Southern Europe.

The results mark another strong showing for the Turkish flag carrier in the Skytrax awards, which are based on passenger evaluations. The airline said the repeat win for Europe reflects broad approval of its service across the travel experience, from onboard offerings to catering.

Murat Şeker, chairman of the Turkish Airlines board and executive committee, said the airline viewed the awards as important because they were based directly on passenger feedback. In a statement, he said the company would continue working to improve service at every point of contact with travelers.

Edward Plaisted, chief executive of Skytrax, said Turkish Airlines had posted a notable performance in the 2026 awards. He pointed in particular to the airline’s fifth-place finish in the global rankings and its award for business class catering, which he said also reflected the airline’s collaboration with Turkish catering company DO&CO.

The new awards come as airlines continue to compete heavily on premium service, route reach and customer experience as international travel demand remains strong. Recognition from Skytrax carries marketing value for carriers, especially in long-haul markets where premium cabin travelers and loyalty program members often compare airlines on service quality as much as price and schedule.

Turkish Airlines has built much of its brand around its international network and onboard service. The airline says it flies to more countries than any other carrier and operates a network spanning six continents. In its announcement, the company said the latest awards reinforced its position in global aviation as it expands its international presence and focuses on sustainability, technology and innovation.

According to company figures included in the announcement, Turkish Airlines was founded in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft. It now says it operates 566 passenger and cargo aircraft and serves 358 destinations worldwide, including 305 international and 53 domestic destinations across 133 countries.

The carrier is a member of Star Alliance, the global airline grouping that includes major carriers such as United Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Air Canada. Membership in the alliance gives Turkish Airlines access to a broader connecting network and helps strengthen its role as a transfer carrier through Istanbul, one of the world’s busiest international connecting hubs.

The Europe award is likely to be particularly valuable for Turkish Airlines as it competes with both legacy European airlines and major Gulf carriers for traffic between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Istanbul’s location has helped the airline position itself as a bridge between regions, and industry awards are often used by airlines to support that strategy in advertising and corporate sales efforts.

Skytrax rankings do not determine financial performance, but they are closely watched by airlines because they can shape consumer perception, especially among frequent flyers. A higher global ranking and repeated regional wins can support an airline’s brand at a time when carriers are under pressure to justify premium fares with consistent service.

For Turkish Airlines, the 2026 results continue a long run of recognition at the Skytrax awards and give the carrier new material to promote its premium product and its broader network as competition intensifies across international aviation.