Singapore Airlines ranked second, Malaysia Airlines ranked 11th in the list of the 20 cleanest airlines in the world in 2026 announced by Skytrax.
Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are two Southeast Asian representatives appearing in the list of the 20 cleanest airlines in the world in 2026, according to a survey by aviation rating organization Skytrax with more than 24 million passengers.
Singapore Airlines ranked second, behind Starlux Airlines of Taiwan and China. Airlines are evaluated based on the standards and quality of hygiene in the passenger cabin, including the condition of seats, dining tables, carpets, panels and toilets. Malaysia Airlines ranked 11th.
A Singapore Airlines plane is taking off. Image: Wiki
Singapore Airlines said it maintains hygiene and disinfection standards with intensive aircraft cleaning procedures, antibacterial coating on frequently touched surfaces and high-temperature washing of fabrics.
The airline also plans to spend 1.1 billion SGD (834 million USD) to upgrade all seat classes on 41 long-haul and super-long-haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft by the end of 2030, according to Reuters.
Malaysia Airlines said it focuses on cabin hygiene and comfort, with the new cabins using lightweight materials and modern seats.
Skytrax World Airline Awards is an aviation award held annually based on collecting reviews from passengers globally, often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry”. Some other categories also awarded within the framework of this award include the best airlines in the world and each region, the airline with the best economy class food, and the best flight attendants.
The 2026 survey was conducted from September 2025 to August 2026, with passengers of more than 100 nationalities rating more than 325 airlines, announcing the results on September 18.