DUBAI: Dubai-based Emirates has been named “Best Overall Airline in the Middle East” at the 2026 APEX Best in Airline Awards.
The award was presented in Dublin, Ireland, and recognised the airline’s strong passenger experience across major travel areas.
The recognition was based on verified passenger feedback, not only industry judging.
Passengers rated Emirates across five areas: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment, and connectivity.
For UAE residents and Filipino travelers, the award gives another signal of how the airline is being rated by people who have used its flights.
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Passenger Scores Covered Key Travel Needs
The APEX Awards looked at more than one million flights across over 600 airlines worldwide.
The ratings were collected through APEX’s partnership with TripIt from Concur, a widely used travel-planning app.
Emirates received high scores from passengers for comfort across its Airbus A380, Airbus A350, and Boeing 777 fleets.
The airline’s ongoing cabin retrofit work and newer seat products across travel classes were also noted.
This means passengers noticed not only the aircraft, but also the onboard experience during flights.
Cabin Crew, Food, and Service Recognised
Emirates was also recognised for its multicultural cabin crew.
The airline’s crew represents more than 140 nationalities and speaks over 70 languages.
This can matter for many travelers, including Filipinos and other expats, who often look for clear communication and helpful service during long flights.
In food and beverage, Emirates received strong ratings for its multi-course meals, destination-inspired menus, and wide beverage selection.
The report also noted premium food and drink options in Business and First Class.
Entertainment and Internet Boost Ratings
Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment system was another reason for the award.
The system offers more than 6,500 channels, including movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, live sport, and learning content.
The airline’s onboard internet also received strong passenger approval.
Through its partnership with Starlink, Emirates is adding high-speed, low-latency internet across its fleet.
More than 33 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and the first three Airbus A380 aircraft already have the technology.
Full fleet deployment is expected by mid-2027.
