Ethiopian Airlines Retains Best Airline in Africa Title for Ninth Consecutive Year
Ethiopian Airlines has retained its title as the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ at the 2026 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, extending its run of consecutive victories in the prestigious global aviation awards to nine years.
The latest recognition further reinforces the airline’s standing among African carriers, with Ethiopian Airlines also emerging as the winner in two other major service categories at the 2026 awards.
The airline was recognised as Best Airline in Africa, Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa and Best Business Class in Africa.
The awards are regarded by airlines and industry stakeholders as an important measure of passenger perceptions of airline service, with the latest honours highlighting Ethiopian Airlines’ performance across different aspects of the passenger experience.
For Ethiopian Airlines, the ninth consecutive Best Airline in Africa award represents the continuation of a long-standing run of recognition at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards.
The airline attributed the achievement to the confidence of its customers, the commitment of its workforce and sustained investments in improving its products and services.
Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, described the latest recognition as a significant milestone for the carrier, saying it reflected the confidence passengers continued to place in the airline.
“Being recognised as the Skytrax Best Airline in Africa for the ninth consecutive year is a proud milestone for Ethiopian Airlines,” Tasew said.
He added that the achievement reflected the dedication of the airline’s employees and its efforts to maintain world-class service standards.
“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 honoured by the recognition and remain committed to delivering excellence to every passenger we serve,” he said.
The airline’s latest performance comes against the backdrop of continued expansion and investment in its operations, including fleet modernisation, digital innovation, network development and improvements to passenger services.
Ethiopian Airlines has, over the years, expanded its international network, positioning Addis Ababa as a major connecting hub between Africa and destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and other parts of the world.
The carrier has also continued to invest in modern aircraft and technology as part of efforts to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience.
The airline said its investments were designed to provide passengers with more convenient connections, reliable services and increasingly personalised travel experiences as customer expectations continue to evolve.
The recognition in the economy-class catering category also draws attention to the airline’s onboard service, while the Best Business Class award acknowledges its premium travel offering.
Ethiopian Airlines said the three awards collectively demonstrated its commitment to maintaining high standards across different aspects of its operations rather than focusing solely on network expansion.
The airline also credited its employees for the achievement, noting that the recognition reflected the efforts of staff across its operations and service delivery chain.
With the latest awards, Ethiopian Airlines said it would continue to focus on strengthening its global network while maintaining attention to passenger satisfaction and service quality.
The carrier’s growing international footprint has made it an important link between African markets and the global aviation system, with its network providing connectivity for passengers travelling to and from the continent.
The latest SKYTRAX recognition therefore adds another international accolade to Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding record of industry awards, while reinforcing its stated ambition to maintain its position as a leading African aviation group.
As competition among African airlines intensifies, Ethiopian Airlines’ continued investment in fleet, technology, connectivity and passenger services remains central to its strategy of strengthening its presence both within Africa and on international routes.
The airline said it remained committed to improving its products and services while responding to the changing needs of passengers across its global network.
