Ethiopian Airlines Named Africa’s Best Airline in 2026 APEX Passenger Choice Awards
The recognition, based entirely on verified passenger feedback, was presented to the airline on home soil in Addis Ababa ahead of the official ceremony in Dublin.
Key points
- Ethiopian Airlines named Best Airline in Africa at the 2026 APEX Passenger Choice Awards
- Award based on more than one million verified passenger ratings across 600+ airlines worldwide
- Recognition adds to eight consecutive Skytrax Best Airline in Africa titles
Ethiopian Airlines has been named Best Airline in Africa at the 2026 APEX Passenger Choice Awards, a recognition driven entirely by verified passenger feedback gathered across its global network.
The award was presented ahead of schedule at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa, where the APEX Board of Directors was holding its annual strategic meeting. APEX brought the announcement forward so the airline could receive the honour on home ground, rather than waiting for the full awards reveal at the APEX FTE EMEA event in Dublin in June 2026.
A Truly Special Win
For Ethiopian Airlines’ leadership, the recognition carries particular weight precisely because it comes from passengers rather than industry panels.« Receiving this recognition from our passengers makes it truly special, » said Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer. « It reflects the dedication and teamwork of our staff across the entire network. Being named Best Airline in Africa motivates us to keep raising our standards and delivering an experience our customers can trust and enjoy. »
A Passenger-Led Verdict
The APEX Passenger Choice Awards are based on independently verified customer feedback collected through TripIt across more than 600 airlines worldwide, making them one of the most transparent recognition programmes in the aviation industry. The result is shaped entirely by real traveller experiences – covering in-flight comfort, service quality, and overall satisfaction.
The recognition reflects Ethiopian Airlines’ sustained focus on delivering a smooth, reliable, and comfortable journey from booking through to arrival. Consistently strong service, onboard comfort, and operational dependability have all contributed to meeting the evolving expectations of today’s travellers.
Building on a Record of Excellence
The APEX award adds to an already strong record of industry recognition. Ethiopian Airlines has also claimed Skytrax’s Best Airline in Africa title for eight consecutive years, cementing its status as the continent’s dominant carrier by passenger experience metrics.
The airline currently operates a fleet of around 170 aircraft with an average age of just seven years, serving more than 145 destinations across five continents. It is pursuing its Vision 2035 strategy – an ambitious roadmap aimed at becoming one of the world’s top 20 airlines, with plans to double its fleet and route network and grow annual passenger numbers to 67 million.
« Ethiopian Airlines continues to demonstrate leadership in African aviation through passenger experience excellence, operational commitment, and a standard of service that resonates with travellers across the continent and beyond, » said APEX Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader.
