Air Canada wins best airline North America at 2026 Skytrax Awards

Second consecutive year and tenth time the airline has taken home this honour since 2010

Airline also wins World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining for the Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto for the third consecutive year

Other honours include Best Cabin Crew in Canada and Best Economy On Board Catering in North America

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Canada today was named the Best Airline in North America at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards for the second year in a row. It represents the tenth time Air Canada has received this honour since 2010. Presented this year in London, UK, the Skytrax awards, which are based on customer satisfaction surveys of millions of global travellers, also recognized once again the Toronto Air Canada Signature Suite as the World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining for the third straight year. Air Canada also took home additional honours for Best Cabin Crew in Canada, Best Economy On Board Catering in North America and Best Business Class Lounge in North America.

Air Canada also moved up two spots and ranks 17th among the World’s Top 100 Airlines in 2026, the only North American carrier to make top 20.

“We’re incredibly proud to be named Best Airline in North America. On behalf of 40,000 Air Canada coworkers around the world, we thank our customers for their trust, loyalty, and for choosing to fly with us. Their recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the views of the people who experience our products and services firsthand. This award belongs to our people, whose professionalism, dedication, and genuine care for our customers make moments of exceptional hospitality possible across our global network. I’m honoured to accept this recognition on their behalf and thank them for their commitment to elevating the customer experience,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada.

These awards recognize Air Canada’s leadership in the industry and its continued commitment to enhancing every stage of the travel journey, as recognized by customers worldwide. Over the past several years, the airline has introduced fast, free Wi-Fi sponsored by Bell, a mobile app that is an industry reference with its expanded functionality, complimentary premium snacks, wine and beer on all flights, and additional content on its award-winning in-flight entertainment system. Air Canada has also invested in new and upgraded lounges, streamlined airport processes, its award-winning Aeroplan loyalty program, and seamless intermodal travel options that allow customers to book air and ground transportation on a single ticket. Earlier this year, the airline also introduced the next generation of its cabin design with the entry into service of the Airbus A321XLR. The Glowing Hearted design delivers a distinctly Canadian experience, emphasizing comfort, care, and connection for all customers on every flight.

About the Air Canada Signature Suite

Air Canada presents two Signature Suite lounges for departing international customers at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International airports. Recognized by the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining at the Air Canada Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson, our menu showcases Canada’s diverse ingredients through refined, locally inspired dishes that evolve with the seasons. The experience is complemented by a curated wine list featuring standout Canadian and international labels, emphasizing craftsmanship and the unique character of Canada’s wine regions. Our cocktail menu, crafted with premium ingredients and creative flair, draws from global trends to deliver a memorable, elevated experience. Designed to evoke a Canadian sense of place, each Signature Suite reflects the beauty, warmth, and sophistication of the country it represents.

About the Skytrax World Airline Awards

The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that is truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. The awards are referred to by media around the world as “the Oscars of the aviation industry”. Skytrax pay all costs of the Survey and Awards process, with no sponsorship. There is no survey entry or registration fee, and awards event is free to attend and there are no charges or royalty payments for use of the award logos and results. The online survey operated from September 2025 to August 2026, and more than 100 customer nationalities participated. All survey entries were screened to identify IP and user information, with duplicate, suspect and ineligible entries deleted. Over 300 airlines are featured in the 2025/2026 survey results. The customer survey was offered in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure . Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC).

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