Saudia Wins 2026 APEX Award for Best Cabin Service in the Middle East

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has clinched the coveted 2026 APEX Award for Best Cabin Service in the Middle East during a glittering ceremony in Dublin, Ireland, last week.

The award was presented during the Future Travel Experience (FTE) EMEA event, a major aviation industry platform that focuses on innovation and the future of the passenger journey.

The APEX Awards program bases its rankings on independent, verified passenger feedback. For the 2026 cycle, more than one million flights operated by over 600 airlines worldwide were evaluated. The assessment covered five key categories: cabin service, seat comfort, food and beverage quality, entertainment systems, and Wi‑Fi connectivity.

Saudia’s Chief Guest Experience Officer Rossen Dimitrov said the award recognises the professionalism, warmth and attention to detail of the airline’s cabin crew. "This award is a tribute to Saudia’s cabin crew, whose professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail define the onboard experience for our guests every day," Dimitrov said. "It reflects the strength of our service culture and the progress we are making in bringing Saudi hospitality to life with greater consistency across our global network. As we continue to invest in the guest journey, our focus remains on delivering an experience that is thoughtful, reliable, and distinctly Saudia."

The award adds to Saudia’s growing list of international recognitions. Earlier in the year, the airline was named a World Class Airline for the fifth consecutive year and received the Best in Class: Service‑Guest Experience award for the second year running.

Saudia, headquartered in Jeddah, operates a network that serves more than 100 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The airline’s main hub is King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, with secondary hubs at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudia joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2012, becoming the first Middle Eastern carrier to do so.

The airline also operates a low‑cost subsidiary, Flyadeal, and plans to expand its fleet and network by 2030 to serve 150 destinations worldwide.

The APEX Awards ceremony in Dublin was part of the broader FTE EMEA event, which brings together airlines, airports, technology providers and industry leaders to discuss passenger experience, digital transformation and future travel trends. The event ran from 9 to 11 June 2026 and attracted participants from across the globe.

The recognition of Saudia’s cabin service highlights the airline’s continued investment in the guest journey. According to the APEX program, the award is based on passenger feedback collected through independent surveys, ensuring that the ranking reflects the actual experience of travelers.

Saudia’s focus on service culture aligns with broader efforts in Saudi Arabia to enhance the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The airline’s emphasis on delivering a distinctly Saudi experience is part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy and promote cultural exchange.

The award also underscores the importance of cabin crew performance in the competitive airline market. Cabin crew professionalism, warmth and attention to detail are increasingly recognised as key differentiators for airlines seeking to attract and retain passengers.

In summary, Saudia’s 2026 APEX Award for Best Cabin Service in the Middle East reflects the airline’s commitment to high‑quality passenger experience, its growing international reputation, and its role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s aviation and tourism objectives.

The award ceremony in Dublin marked another milestone for Saudia as it continues to invest in service excellence and expand its global network.