Travel Tomorrow: Vietnam Airlines named world’s best culinary airline at 2026 World Culinary Awards

Sun 01 November 2026

The aviation industry’s best food has been recognised at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, with airlines and airports around the globe honoured during the seventh annual ceremony at Princess Grand Jamaica.

Vietnam Airlines became the first Asian carrier to win the World’s Best Culinary Airline title. Its seasonal and route-specific in-flight menus offer passengers “a different culinary experience” each time they fly. Business class passengers might, for example, taste bibimbap, bulgogi, or ginseng chicken soup, samgye-tang, on South Korean routes. Flying between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, they could be offered the smoky Hanoi pork speciality bún chả, or chewy cao lầunoodles. Economy class passengers also benefit from options including a “signature” croissant at breakfast, with other meals featuring rice or spaghetti accompanied by sauce, a bread roll and dessert.

Reflecting the trend towards premium experiences in the air and across the travel sector, the Vietnamese carrier aims to achieve five-star service standards 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, defying the critics of British food, London Heathrow and London Gatwick both took home silverware too. Heathrow won the World’s Best Airport for Dining 2026 title, ahead of international competitors including Dubai International, Hong Kong International Airport, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Paris Aéroport.

Heathrow’s offering 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, alongside a classic British all-day breakfast and, of course, fish and chips.

The aviation industry’s best food has been recognised at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, with airlines and airports around the globe honoured during the seventh annual ceremony at Princess Grand Jamaica.

Vietnam Airlines became the first Asian carrier to win the World’s Best Culinary Airline title. Its seasonal and route-specific in-flight menus offer passengers “a different culinary experience” each time they fly. Business class passengers might, for example, taste bibimbap, bulgogi, or ginseng chicken soup, 

Reflecting the trend towards premium experiences in the air and across the travel sector, the Vietnamese carrier aims to achieve five-star service standards 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, defying the critics of British food, London Heathrow and London Gatwick both took home silverware too. Heathrow won the World’s Best Airport for Dining 2026 title, ahead of international competitors including Dubai International, Hong Kong International Airport, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Paris Aéroport.

Heathrow’s offering 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, alongside a classic British all-day breakfast and, of course, fish and chips.

Gatwick’s Clubrooms at the South Terminal won the World’s Best Airport Lounge for Dining 2026 title. Its menu features hot and cold dishes, including eggs Benedict, gochujang chicken thighs, and Moroccan nut roast with green beans in lemon olive oil.

Among carrier lounges, Turkish Airlines International Lounges won the World’s Best Airline Lounge for Dining title, with an offering that includes international hot and cold buffet dishes. Air France’s La Première Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle was among the other nominees, alongside the first-class lounge offerings of Etihad and Lufthansa.