Forbes Travel Guide Announces 2026 Verified Air Travel Award Winners
Forbes Travel Guide ("FTG")—the global authority on luxury hospitality—today announced the winners of its third annual Verified™ Air Travel Awards, recognizing exceptional experiences across airlines, airports and private aviation.
Top Airline Honors
- Delta Air Lines was named Best U.S. Airline for the third consecutive year.
- Emirates retained the title of Best International Airline for the third straight year.
Leading Airports
- LaGuardia Airport won Best U.S. Airport.
- Singapore Changi Airport was named Best International Airport.
Innovation Award
- Air New Zealand's Skynest received Innovation of the Year for introducing flat-bed sleeping options for economy class passengers.
Delta Leads Award Winners
Delta Air Lines received the highest number of awards, with a total of six wins.
Honors included:
- Best U.S. Airline
- Best U.S. First Class
- Best Loyalty Program
Awards Methodology
Winners were selected through an invitation-only survey of nearly 9,000 experienced travelers.
Participants included:
- Luxury travel advisors
- Leaders of Forbes Travel Guide Star-Rated hotels
- Forbes Travel Guide inspectors and executive trainers
Recognition Event
- Award winners will be celebrated at The Summit in Monaco in February 2027.
- The event is Forbes Travel Guide's annual gathering focused on luxury travel and hospitality.
Key Takeaway
The 2026 Verified Air Travel Awards recognize excellence across airlines, airports, and private aviation, with Delta Air Lines, Emirates, LaGuardia Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport emerging as the year's top performers.
