Cathay Pacific named Bangladesh’s best airline, US-Bangla tops domestic category

Cathay Pacific has been named Bangladesh’s Airline of the Year 2026, while US-Bangla Airlines emerged as the country’s top domestic carrier at the 11th ShareTrip–Monitor Airline of the Year Awards.

The awards, organised by aviation and tourism publication The Bangladesh Monitor, were presented at a ceremony at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport on Sunday evening.

Cathay Pacific also won Gold for Best Economy Class and Silver Awards in several other categories.

Emirates secured four Gold Awards, including Best Business Class, Best In-flight Entertainment, Best In-flight Meal in Business Class and Best Loyalty Programme for Emirates Skywards.

Singapore Airlines won Gold for Best Cabin Service in Economy Class and Best Airline Cabin Crew.

Among Bangladeshi carriers, Biman Bangladesh Airlines received Gold Awards for Best In-flight Meal in Economy Class and Best Wage-Earner-Friendly Airline.

US-Bangla Airlines won three Gold Awards: Domestic Airline of the Year, Most Improved Airline and Best Airport Service (Domestic).

The awards covered 26 service categories, with Gold and Silver honours determined through an online frequent flyer poll and jury evaluation.

Nearly 2,400 frequent flyers participated in the poll between July 21 and August 25, rating airlines based on their travel experiences over the previous year.

The programme also recognised Bangladesh’s 10 most popular airline brands based on passenger traffic and public perception.

Turkish Airlines received Gold Awards for Best Long-Haul Airline and Outstanding Community Service. Qatar Airways was named Best Medium-Haul Airline, while Thai Airways won Best Short-Haul Airline.

IndiGo secured Best Budget Airline, Malaysia Airlines won Best Student-Friendly Airline, and Saudia Cargo was named Cargo Airline of the Year.

DSV Bangladesh received Gold for Best Freight Forwarder and Logistics Service Provider.

In airport lounge services, EBL SkyLounge won Best International Airport Lounge, while MTB Air Lounge was named Best Domestic Airport Lounge.

Veteran aviation and tourism professional S. A. Reza Hossain received the Jury’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the industry.

The jury was chaired by Syed Ershad Ahmed, former president of AMCHAM Bangladesh.

Nasser Rahman, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Land, and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nurun Nahar Chowdhury attended the ceremony.

Ahmed Reza, Cathay Pacific’s country manager for sales and marketing in Bangladesh and Bhutan, received the Airline of the Year trophy.

US-Bangla Airlines’ Head of Marketing and Sales Md. Shafiqul Islam and General Manager of Public Relations Md. Kamrul Islam received the Best Domestic Airline award.

The ceremony was supported by online travel agency ShareTrip as title sponsor, with Sabre and Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport as partners.

Introduced in 2007, the awards programme recognises airline service standards and industry contributions in Bangladesh.

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