Cathay Pacific named Airline of the Year 2026

Dhaka: Cathay Pacific has been named Airline of the Year 2026 at the 11^th ShareTrip–Monitor Airline of the Year Awards, held in the capital on November 8. The carrier also received the Gold Award for Best Economy Class and Silver Awards in several other categories.

The annual awards this year recognized airlines operating in Bangladesh and honored their service performance across 26 categories. Gold and Silver Awards were presented in each category, with winners selected through an online poll of frequent flyers and an assessment by a jury of industry representatives.

Emirates was among the leading recipients, securing four Gold Awards. The airline won in the categories of Best Business Class, Best In-flight Entertainment, Best In-flight Meal in Business Class and Best Loyalty Program for Emirates Skywards.

Singapore Airlines received Gold Awards for Best Cabin Service in Economy Class and Best Airline Cabin Crew.

Bangladesh's two major carriers also received recognition. Biman Bangladesh Airlines won Gold Awards for Best In-flight Meal in Economy Class and Best Wage-Earner-Friendly Airline. US-Bangla Airlines secured three awards: Domestic Airline of the Year, Most Improved Airline and Best Airport Service (Domestic).

Ahmed Reza, Country Manager – Sales and Marketing (Bangladesh and Bhutan), Cathay Pacific, receiving Best Airline trophy from Nasser Rahman, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Land. Dr. Nurun Nahar Chowdhury, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, also seen on the occasion

Other international carriers received awards across different service segments. Turkish Airlines won Gold for Best Long-Haul Airline and Outstanding Community Service, while Qatar Airways was recognized as Best Medium-Haul Airline. Thai Airways received the award for Best Short-Haul Airline, and IndiGo was named Best Budget Airline.

Malaysia Airlines won the Best Student-Friendly Airline category, while Saudia Cargo was recognized as Cargo Airline of the Year. DSV Bangladesh received the Gold Award for Best Freight Forwarder and Logistics Service Provider.

The awards also covered airport lounge services. EBL SkyLounge won Gold for Best International Airport Lounge, while MTB Air Lounge received the corresponding award for the domestic category.

Nearly 2,400 frequent flyers took part in the online poll, conducted from July 21 to August 25. Participants selected airlines based on their travel experiences during the previous year. The program also identified the 10 most popular airline brands in Bangladesh, based on passenger traffic and public perception.

Md. Shafiqul Islam, Head of Marketing and Sales, and Md. Kamrul Islam, General Manager, Public Relations, US-Bangla Airlines, receivin Best Domestic Airline trophy

S. A. Reza Hossain, a veteran figure in Bangladesh's aviation and tourism sector, received the Jury's Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his longstanding contributions to the industry.

The jury was chaired by Syed Ershad Ahmed, former president of AMCHAM Bangladesh, and included leaders and experts from relevant industries.

The awards ceremony was held at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport, bringing together representatives from the aviation and travel sectors. Nasser Rahman, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Land, and Dr. Nurun Nahar Chowdhury, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, attended as distinguished guests.

ShareTrip served as the title sponsor, with global distribution system provider Sabre and Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport as partners.

Introduced by The Bangladesh Monitor in 2007, the awards program aims to recognize airline service standards, encourage improvements and highlight the industry's contribution to Bangladesh's aviation and travel sectors.