Thai Airways breaks into the world’s top 10 airlines for 2026

Thai Airways has climbed into the world's top 10 airlines for 2026, according to the results published by Legacy Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards. This marks a significant milestone for the Thai national carrier, reflecting its ongoing recovery following years of business rehabilitation. Thai Airways secured the tenth position globally, a testament to the airline's efforts to enhance cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, and overall value.

The ranking was determined through a survey that garnered over 207,000 reader responses and more than 661,000 votes from a global audience. EVA Air from Taiwan claimed the top spot this year, followed by Qatar Airways and Emirates in the second and third places. The full list of the top 10 airlines includes La Compagnie from France, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air from South Korea, Virgin Atlantic Airways from the United Kingdom, Etihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates, Thai Airways International, La Compagnie, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air.

Thai Airways' chief executive, Chai Eamsiri, welcomed the top-10 ranking as a positive signal, attributing it to the carrier's dedicated rehabilitation program. This program has focused on fleet upgrades, service improvements, lounge enhancements, menu revisions, and expanded international route networks. The ranking signals a measurable recovery in international passenger confidence in Thai Airways since it completed its business reorganization process.

EVA Air's victory in the top spot can be attributed to its high-quality business class service, extensive connections across Asia, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received for its fourth-generation Premium Economy Class introduced in 2025. Industry experts emphasize that this year's rankings highlight a shift in passenger priorities.

While price remains a consideration, travelers now prioritize factors such as seat comfort, food quality, cabin crew service, in-flight entertainment, and punctuality, especially on long-haul international flights where the extended duration on board is a significant factor.