Virgin Australia awarded World’s Best Cabin Crew for eighth year running, ranks top three globally among hybrid airlines
The AirlineRatings. com World’s Best Airlines Awards for 2026 named virgin australia World’s Best Cabin Crew for the eighth consecutive year on Thursday 19 March 2026 (ET). The awards also placed the carrier third in the World’s Best Hybrid Airlines category. The recognition, judged by a panel of aviation experts, highlights crew performance and the airline’s hybrid service model across its network.
Virgin Australia: awards and rankings
In the headline result, World’s Best Cabin Crew was awarded to the carrier for the eighth year running, a streak the airline described as a reflection of its people. The AirlineRatings. com program also ranked the airline third among hybrid carriers worldwide, placing it in the top tier of airlines that mix buy-on-board service on shorter routes with fuller long-haul offerings.
The awards program evaluated airlines across full-service, hybrid and low-cost categories and was judged by a panel of aviation experts under the AirlineRatings. com banner. The airline additionally welcomed recognition for partner carriers in the same awards cycle, including a long-haul partner awarded World’s Best Full Service Airline and a partner product ranked highly in World’s Best Business Class.
Immediate reactions
Dave Emerson, Group CEO of Virgin Australia, said the honour was a proud moment for the airline and its people. “Winning World’s Best Cabin Crew for the eighth year in a row is something we’re incredibly proud of, because it’s all about our people, ” Emerson said. He added: “We always encourage our crew to bring their own unique flair to work, which makes a real difference to the guest experience and is truly what I believe makes our team the best in the world. “
Emerson also linked the cabin crew award with the airline’s broader performance, saying the dual recognition “reinforces that we’re delivering great service, strong value and a consistently wonderful experience right across our network. ” The airline noted the partner success in the awards as further validation of its international connections.
What’s next
With the AirlineRatings. com honours announced on Thursday 19 March 2026 (ET), the airline says it will build on staff recognition while continuing to deliver its hybrid service model. Virgin Australia’s leadership frames the results as confirmation of current strategy and a platform for sustaining service standards across domestic and long-haul operations. The awards program remains active annually, and the carrier and its partners are positioned to feature in next year’s evaluations as the industry watches how recognised carriers maintain service and value in changing market conditions.
