Air Mauritius has achieved its highest-ever ranking in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, soaring to 52nd position worldwide in 2026. This marks an eleven-place jump from its 63rd-place finish in 2025. The national carrier announced the milestone in a statement published on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
The 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards were unveiled during a ceremony on Friday, 18 September, at The Langham Hotel in London. The rankings are built entirely on passenger satisfaction rather than financial stability or aviation safety. An international traveler survey evaluated more than 300 airlines on their airport and onboard experiences from September 2025 to August 2026.
Regionally, Air Mauritius also triumphed as the second-best airline staff in Africa, landing right behind EgyptAir and ahead of Ethiopian Airlines. The airline credited its upward trajectory to the “Building Remarkable Service Quality” strategy, designed to elevate the traveler experience. Insights from both customers and staff were actively incorporated into this improvement plan.
Chief Executive Officer André Viljoen noted that the achievement was a significant milestone in the carrier's recovery plan following a prolonged and difficult period. The airline has set an ambitious goal to reach the global top 20 without specifying a target deadline. To maintain momentum, Air Mauritius has lined up a series of upgrades across onboard service, ground operations, airport lounges, and sales offices.
These enhancements are scheduled to roll out throughout 2026 and 2027. The airline has also been recognized with its 4-Star Airline certification by Skytrax, a professional evaluation of product and service quality that the carrier has held since 2014. This certification is a testament to the airline's commitment to providing high-quality services to its passengers.
At the very top of the global stage, Singapore Airlines claimed the number one spot for 2026, followed by Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways, and Turkish Airlines in the top five. The Skytrax Global Top 10 for 2026 includes Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards are independent and fully funded by the research, with zero registration fees charged to participating carriers. The awards provide a reliable and unbiased assessment of airline performance, based on the opinions of millions of passengers. Air Mauritius's achievement in the 2026 rankings is a significant recognition of its efforts to improve passenger satisfaction and service quality.
Key points
- Air Mauritius jumps 11 places to 52nd globally in 2026 Skytrax rankings.
- The airline is recognized as the second-best airline staff in Africa.
- Air Mauritius aims to reach the global top 20 in future rankings.
