The aviation industry’s best food has been recognised by the 2026 World Culinary Awards, as airlines and airports around the globe were honoured at Jamaica’s Princess Grand, in the seventh annual ceremony of its kind.
An Asian carrier took first place for the first time in the World’s Best Culinary Airline category, with Vietnam Airlines hailed for the seasonal and route-specific in-flight menus that present passengers with “a different culinary experience” each time they fly. Business Class ticket holders might, for example, be able to taste bibimbap, bulgolgi, or the health-giving ginseng chicken soup samgye-tang on South Korean routes. Flying between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, they could be offered a smoky Hanoi specialty pork dish, bún chả, or chewy cao lau noodles. Economy class passengers do not miss out, benefiting from a “signature” croissant at breakfast time, as well as rice, spaghetti, sauce, a bread roll, and a dessert.
🇻🇳✈️ Vietnam Airlines has been named World’s Best Culinary Airline 2026 at the World Culinary Awards, becoming the first Asian airline to receive this honour. 🍜 From pho to mi Quang, Vietnamese specialities bring the country’s rich culinary heritage to the skies, sharing its flavours with the world. 💙 #VietnamAirlines #CherishEveryMile
— Vietnam Airlines (@VietnamAirlines) October 22, 2026
Reflecting trends for premium experiences in the air and across the travel sector, the Vietnamese carrier’s strategy is to develop five-star service by 2030. Dang Anh Tuan, executive vice president, said the prize marked “a proud milestone for Vietnam Airlines and a testament to our commitment to delivering an exceptional in-flight dining experience.”
On the ground, and thumbing their nose at British food detractors, London Heathrow and London Gatwick both took home silverware too. Heathrow won World’s Best for Airport Dining 2026, putting international competitors including Dubai International, Hong Kong International Airport, New York’s John F. Kennedy International, and even Paris Aéroport in the shade. The airport’s range includes chic all-day dining by Michelin-starred chef Cyril Lignac, with a menu featuring lobster rolls, Ortiz tuna, and truffle linguine. Over at Plane Food Market, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay brings his take on global cuisine, as well as a classic British all-day breakfast, and, of course, fish ‘n’ chips.
Gatwick’s South Terminal Clubrooms pocketed the World’s Best Airport Lounge for Dining 2026, noted for hot and cold treats including eggs benedict, gochujang chicken thighs, and Moroccan nut roast with green beans in lemon olive oil.
We’re delighted to have won World’s Best Airport for Dining 2026 🏆 at this year’s @WCulinaryAwards 🍽️ These annual awards celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry, and we’re proud to see Heathrow’s dining experience recognised by our passengers. From choice and quality to the teams who bring our restaurants and hospitality spaces to life every day, this award reflects the work that goes into making every journey that little bit more enjoyable. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us, and to our colleagues and partners across #TeamHeathrow who made it possible. View the full range of dining options across all of our terminals ➡️ https://t.co/P1d9EidqS4
— HeathrowNews (@HeathrowNews) October 25, 2026
When it comes to carrier lounges, Turkish Airlines’ International took the podium for World’s Best Airline Lounge for Dining, acknowledged for the quality of its hospitality and international hot and cold buffet dishes. That meant the French missed out again, as Air France’s La Première Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle failed to hit the number one spot, alongside other rivals, including Etihad and Lufthansa’s first-class propositions.
