Air India has achieved significant recognition at the prestigious 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, being named the 'Best Airline in India' and securing the title for 'Best Airline Staff in India & South Asia'. The carrier also formally received its Skytrax 4-Star Airline Certification for both Business Class and Economy Class, a notable upgrade from its previous 3-Star rating.
Awards Highlight Ongoing Transformation
The awards were presented in London, where Air India executives and frontline cabin crew accepted the accolades. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the critical role of the airline's workforce in achieving this recognition.
"To be recognised as 'Best Airline in India' and to receive the award for 'Best Airline Staff in India & South Asia' is especially meaningful because it reflects the New Air India experience our guests are experiencing and acknowledging," Wilson stated. "These awards belong to the more than 24,000 Air Indians whose professionalism, warmth, and commitment are driving our transformation every day."
The 'Best Airline Staff' award specifically honors the dedication of frontline teams across cabin crew, airport operations, customer support, and ground services, who collectively serve millions of passengers annually.
Operational Improvements Drive Satisfaction
These wins directly validate Air India's multi-phase Vihaan.AI strategy, a comprehensive transformation initiative determined by passenger votes in the world's largest airline satisfaction survey. The airline's structural changes include the delivery or retrofitting of over 130 narrowbody and widebody aircraft, now featuring modernized interiors and upgraded digital amenities.
Recent fleet enhancements include the deployment of India’s first Airbus A350 and the addition of line-fit Boeing 787-9 aircraft to its long-haul operations. These improvements have demonstrably boosted customer satisfaction, with Air India's Net Promoter Score (NPS) surging by more than 70 points, moving from -35 in late 2022 to nearly +40 today. On flagship aircraft like the A350 and B787-9, NPS scores consistently reach the high 60s, signaling a significant positive shift in traveler perception as the airline expands its domestic and international footprint.