The 2026 World Culinary Awards have officially recognized the best in aviation dining, honoring airlines, airports, and lounges that prioritize high-quality food for travelers. Vietnam Airlines secured the prestigious title of World’s Best Culinary Airline 2026, marking the first time an Asian carrier has achieved this honor. The airline surpassed a competitive field of nominees, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, and Turkish Airlines.
Vietnam Airlines has focused its efforts on promoting Vietnamese cuisine to a global audience. The carrier’s in-flight dining strategy involves seasonal and route-specific menus to ensure passengers receive unique culinary experiences on every flight. In economy class, the airline is known for its signature breakfast croissant, while lunch and dinner services typically include rice or spaghetti dishes accompanied by sauces, bread, and dessert. Business class passengers receive a broader range of global options; for example, flights to South Korea feature dishes such as bibimbap, ginseng chicken soup, and black bean noodles. On routes to Europe, the menu incorporates British, German, and French culinary influences, with travelers to America, Europe, and Australia granted the ability to pre-order their meals.
London Heathrow Airport was named the World’s Best for Airport Dining 2026, outperforming major hubs including Dubai International, Hamad International Airport in Qatar, Hong Kong International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Paris Aéroport, and Singapore Changi Airport. Across its four terminals, Heathrow offers a variety of dining concepts ranging from casual cafes to international cuisine. Notable highlights include Terminal 5, where celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food Market serves a diverse menu featuring all-day breakfast, pizza, sushi, noodles, and the traditional British staple, fish and chips.
In the category of airport lounges, Turkish Airlines' International Lounges were awarded the World's Best Airline Lounge for Dining. The lounges, which include locations such as Edinburgh International Airport, offer a mix of Turkish and global dishes through hot and cold buffet selections. Other nominees in this category included Air France’s La Première First Class Lounge, Etihad Airways’ First Class Lounge and Spa at Zayed International Airport, Lufthansa’s First Class Lounge at Frankfurt Airport, Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa First Class Lounge, SWISS’ First Class Lounge at Zürich Airport, Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge, and Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport.
Additionally, the Clubrooms at Gatwick South Terminal received the award for World’s Best Airport Lounge for Dining 2026. Their evening dining menu features diverse options such as chicken Caesar salad, gochujang chicken thigh bowls, and a Moroccan nut roast served with green beans in lemon olive oil.
Designed to “promote Vietnamese cuisine” to international travellers, the carrier’s in-flight menus are adapted to the seasons and routes, so that “each flight gives passengers a different culinary experience”.
