Copa Airlines captured both the best airline and best regional airline titles for Central America and the Caribbean at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced Friday in London. The Panamanian carrier led a strong showing by Latin American airlines that also saw LATAM, JetSMART, Azul and Caribbean Airlines earn top honors across multiple categories.
Singapore Airlines took the overall world’s best airline award for the sixth time, while Qatar Airways placed second and Cathay Pacific Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways and Turkish Airlines rounded out the top five. The results stem from online surveys collected between September 2025 and August 2026, with responses from customers of more than 100 nationalities evaluating over 300 airlines.
Copa’s Regional Dominance at the Skytrax World Airline Awards
Copa’s double win reinforces Panama’s position as a strategic aviation hub connecting the Americas. The airline operates from its base at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, leveraging the country’s geographic advantage to serve more than 80 destinations across North, Central and South America plus the Caribbean.
The recognition reflects Copa’s consistent performance in onboard service and operational reliability, factors that have made it a preferred carrier for business and leisure travelers transiting through Panama. Industry analysts note that Copa’s hub-and-spoke model depends heavily on passenger satisfaction, making the Skytrax awards particularly significant for the airline’s competitive positioning.
Caribbean Airlines joined Copa in the Central America and Caribbean spotlight, earning the award for best airline staff in the same geographic market. The Trinidad and Tobago-based carrier’s win highlights the depth of service quality among airlines serving the region.
Latin American Carriers Claim Multiple Honors
LATAM Airlines dominated the South America categories, winning best airline in South America along with awards for cleanliness, economy class, business class and onboard catering in both cabins. The carrier’s lounge at Santiago airport also earned recognition as the best airport lounge in the region.
“This recognition belongs to our people, whose passion and commitment turned LATAM into South America’s leading airline group” [Translated from Spanish]
said Paulo Miranda, the company’s director of customers and experience.
JetSMART secured the title of best low-cost airline in South America for the fourth time in its history. CEO Estuardo Ortiz noted the airline connected more than 60 million people in its first decade of operation with a modern fleet and low fares.
“We will keep working every day to improve for our customers, connect more destinations and make flying accessible to more people” [Translated from Spanish]
added Ortiz.
Global Context and Survey Methodology
Brazil’s Azul represented Latin America in the global rankings, placing tenth among the world’s best regional airlines. Bangkok Airways of Thailand led that category.
In other global results, AirAsia retained its title as the world’s best low-cost airline, a distinction it has held uninterrupted since 2010. Qatar Airways won the world’s best business class award for the thirteenth time and claimed the inaugural prize for best onboard Wi-Fi connection. Cathay Pacific took the recognition for best cabin crew worldwide. The oneworld alliance was named the world’s best airline alliance, recovering a title it last held in 2021.
The Skytrax survey operated with financial independence, with the organization covering all costs of the survey and awards ceremony without charging participation fees to evaluated airlines. Forms were available in eight languages, ensuring broad global participation across the year-long data collection period.