Emirates crowned ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ at the APEX Awards 2026 | News

Emirates has been named ‘Best Overall Airline in the Middle East’ at the APEX Best in Airline Awards 2026, further cementing its reputation as one of the world’s leading travel brands. The award was announced at a ceremony in Dublin, Ireland, where the airline was recognized for consistently delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Based on verified passenger feedback, Emirates achieved excellent scores across five pillars: seating comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and connectivity.

1. Emirates scores high in terms of seating comfort

Whether traveling on an Airbus A380, A350 or Boeing 777, Emirates customers continually praise the airline’s commitment to comfort. Thoughtfully designed cabins, generous personal space and ergonomic seating combine to create an environment where passengers can easily relax, work or sleep, even on the world’s longest routes.

As part of Emirates’ ongoing fleet renewal programme, each cabin is continually being upgraded with the latest generation of seats and inflight amenities. From October, Emirates Economy Class passengers will benefit from the introduction of new lightweight Safran Z400 seats, specially designed for comfort and convenience, with an eight-way adjustable headrest for improved neck and head support.

The award-winning Emirates Premium Economy cabin offers spacious cream leather seats with a generous backrest, full leg and footrests and a six-way adjustable headrest, designed for long-haul comfort. Customers also enjoy integrated charging ports, side cocktail tables and a 13.3-inch personal entertainment screen.

Emirates Business Class continues to evolve with sophisticated new seats inspired by Safran’s luxurious S Lounge design, already present on the airline’s A350 fleet. Each seat creates a greater sense of privacy and can be converted into a fully flat bed, complete with a special mattress and pillow. Wireless charging, customizable mood lighting, improved storage, minibar amenities and multiple charging options make for an even better onboard experience.

Emirates First Class continues to set the standard for luxury air travel, with fully enclosed private suites that travelers describe as a ‘hotel room in the sky’. Designed to maximize privacy and well-being, the suites feature electronically controlled doors, personal climate settings and mood lighting. The seat reclines seamlessly into a flat bed and can be adjusted to the airline’s signature ‘zero gravity’ position for optimal rest and relaxation.

2. Emirates recognized for exceptional cabin service

Hospitality remains at the core of the Emirates experience. Emirates cabin crew represent more than 140 nationalities and speak more than 70 languages ​​and convey a hospitality philosophy built around 4 pillars: excellence, attention, innovation and passion. Behind the service is a comprehensive training program inspired by world-class hospitality standards, including principles borrowed from Michelin-star dining. Crew members are equipped with technical expertise and the skills to anticipate customer needs and provide meaningful moments of care throughout the journey.

Onboard, carefully choreographed service flows provide a seamless and personalized experience, from carefully timed meal service and cabin lighting transitions to proactive comfort checks and authentic customer interactions.

3. Emirates excels with its food and drink offering

Dining remains one of the most memorable elements of the Emirates experience. Each class of travel combines global culinary influences with destination-inspired flavors. Freshly prepared multi-course meals are complemented by a curated selection of drinks including soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks. Children’s meals are offered on most routes, while free organic baby food, formula and baby bottles are available for babies.

Emirates regularly introduces new treats and seasonal specials for customers, from free popcorn and hot cookies to premium ice cream on selected routes, as well as special meals reflecting global celebrations from Christmas to Eid, Diwali and Lunar New Year. Customers can also choose from a wide range of specialty meals that meet dietary, medical and cultural requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sodium options.

Emirates Premium Economy offers an elevated dining experience with meals presented on Royal Doulton china with stainless steel cutlery and linen tablecloths. Customers appreciate the generous portions, fresh seasonal ingredients and carefully selected wines, beers, spirits, as well as Chandon’s exclusive sparkling wine.

In Business Class, customers can enjoy multi-course gourmet menus inspired by regional cuisine, paired with an extensive selection of premium wines, spirits and complimentary champagne. Business Class passengers can even enjoy chef-prepared dishes expertly paired with Moët & Chandon champagnes during the flight, underscoring Emirates’ continued efforts to bring fine dining to cruising altitude.

Emirates First Class offers one of the most refined dining experiences in the sky. The signature dine-on-demand service allows customers to enjoy a la carte meals at any time, accompanied by premium seasonal ingredients and unlimited caviar. Gourmet vegan dishes are available on select routes, in addition to a special Movie Snacks menu featuring favorites such as Wagyu sliders, lobster rolls, popcorn and edamame.

The airline’s beverage program is also distinctive. Emirates remains the only airline in the world to serve Dom Pérignon in First Class across its global network. First Class customers can discover a carefully curated collection of premium spirits and exceptional wines from some of the world’s most prestigious wine regions.

4. Emirates offers industry-leading ice cream entertainment

For many travelers, Emirates’ award-winning ice entertainment system has become synonymous with the airline itself. Ice offers more than 6,500 content channels, offering unrivaled choice across film, television, music, podcasts, live sports and educational content. Ice is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive entertainment platforms in aviation, offering nearly 3,000 films, 3,000 music albums, more than 600 television channels and box sets, more than 200 documentaries and an extensive selection of children’s programming.

Through partnerships with leading platforms including HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Discovery+, BBC, Bloomberg Originals, Shahid and Spotify, customers have access to an unparalleled library of blockbuster films, critically acclaimed television series, documentaries and exclusive content. Ice also offers podcasts, language learning programs, interactive games and live sports and news channels.

5. Emirates Wi-Fi impresses customers worldwide

Connectivity has become an essential part of the modern travel experience and Emirates is setting a new industry standard through its partnership with Starlink. The next-generation onboard connectivity program delivers ultra-fast, low-latency internet that allows passengers to stream, work, surf and stay connected with the same ease as on the ground.

The agreement, which was announced in November 2025, will see Starlink installed across Emirates’ fleet, with completion expected in mid-2027. The complimentary service will provide customers with high-speed connectivity in the air, reinforcing the airline’s long-standing commitment to innovation and customer convenience.

Emirates has accelerated its rollout programme, with 33 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft already equipped with Starlink technology and the first three Airbus A380s now entering service with the system on board. Hundreds of thousands of customers have already experienced flights with Starlink and enjoyed seamless streaming, gaming, video calling, remote working and social media access during their journey.