Singapore Airlines ranked second after Taiwan's Starlux Airlines, based on assessments of onboard hygiene standards and quality—evaluating factors such as the cleanliness and condition of seating areas, tray tables and chairs, carpets, cabin panels, and lavatories.

Malaysia Airlines ranked 11th.

Singapore's national carrier said it maintains strict hygiene and disinfection standards through aircraft deep-cleaning procedures, antimicrobial coatings on high-touch surfaces, and high-temperature laundering of linens.

The cabin is pictured onboard a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 at the gate at JFK airport before a scheduled direct flight to Singapore in the Queens borough of New York City, New York, U.S., Nov. 11, 2020. Photo by Reuters

Singapore Airlines has said it will spend 1.1 billion Singapore dollars (US$834 million) to upgrade all classes on its 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range planes by the end of 2030, Reuters reported.

Malaysia Airlines focuses on cabin hygiene and passenger comfort, saying new cabins feature lightweight materials and modern seats.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards, often dubbed the "Oscars of the aviation industry", are among the most respected recognitions in global aviation, with the results based on the annual World Airline Survey and the views of travelers worldwide.

The annual world rankings survey was conducted from September 2025 to August 2026, with travelers of more than 100 nationalities rating over 325 airlines.

The World's Cleanest Airline in 2026 according to Skytrax:

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

11. Malaysia Airlines

12. China Southern Airlines

13. Swiss International Air Lines

14. Hong Kong Airlines

15. Qantas Airways

16. Emirates

17. Air New Zealand

18. Lufthansa

19. Etihad Airways

20. Saudia