Emirates named world’s best airline by Forbes Travel Guide

Dubai-based Emirates has been recognised as the ’World’s Best Airline’ in Forbes Travel Guide’s second annual Verified Air Travel Awards, earning the top accolade for the second consecutive year.

The results are based on a survey of more than 9,000 frequent travellers from across the global hospitality industry. 

Forbes credited Emirates’ continued success to its ability to “continually refine every aspect of the passenger experience”, citing its recently opened “opulent lounge-like check-in area” for its First-Class and Skywards Platinum members, and it’s the first autism-certified airline, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support travellers with autism. 

The recognition adds to a series of industry awards for the Dubai flag carrier, which also reclaimed its title as Best Long Haul Airline at both the Telegraph Travel Awards 2025 and The Times Awards 2025. 

The latter survey, based on more than 900,000 reader votes, praised Emirates for its “cabin crew service, First Class suites and fleet of roomy Airbus A380s".

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Forbes also acknowledged Emirates’ strength in premium travel, naming its Boeing 777-300ER product the ‘Best International First Class’. 

The publication said the suites “deliver sky-high luxury: floor-to-ceiling doors, zero-gravity seats, Bulgari fragrances and food ranging from movie snacks to caviar,” complemented by “chauffeured transfers, a service that helps passengers quickly navigate connections in Dubai and airport lounge access.”