This is the cleanest airline in the world, and it serves four major U.S. cities

In the competitive world of aviation, pristine cabin spaces and immaculate onboard environments are paramount to a top-tier passenger experience. At the 2026 World Airline Awards, airline quality tracking organization Skytrax officially named Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines as the cleanest airline in the world.

The Taiwanese boutique carrier secured the number one spot in global cleanliness rankings, surpassing established industry giants including Singapore Airlines, ANA, Hainan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Skytrax highlighted the exceptional quality of Starlux’s airport and onboard product as well as its high standard of staff service. The annual awards reflect direct feedback gathered from global passenger satisfaction surveys conducted between September 2025 and August 2026, covering more than 300 airlines and including travelers from more than 100 nationalities.

Asian carriers dominated the category, claiming nine of the top ten positions worldwide. While Singapore Airlines placed second in cleanliness, it secured overall titles for the world’s best airline and world’s best economy class. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines was recognized as the cleanest carrier in North America, though no U.S. carrier made the list of the top 20 in the world.

Starlux launched its inaugural flights in January 2020 with a modern fleet consisting of Airbus A321neo, A330 and flagship A350 aircraft. From its primary hub in Taiwan, the carrier connects passengers to 31 destinations, including European service to Prague and major U.S. gateways such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Phoenix. Through strategic codeshare partnerships with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, travelers across the United States enjoy seamless connections throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

On its flagship Airbus A350 routes, Starlux is not only clean, but also exceptionally comfy. In first class, enclosed suites feature private wardrobes, personal beverage cabinets and seats with NASA-inspired zero-gravity modes, complemented by private terminal access and chauffeur services. Business class passengers enjoy complimentary pajamas on North American long-haul routes and luxury Japanese beauty amenity kits. Premium economy features plush bedding and custom amenity kits.

The world's cleanest airlines, according to the World Airline Awards:

1. Starlux Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
4. Hainan Airlines
5. Cathay Pacific Airways
6. EVA Air
7. Qatar Airways
8. Japan Airlines
9. China Airlines
10. Korean Air