Vietnam Airlines Becomes First Asian Carrier to Win World's Best Culinary Airline, Ending Air France's Four-Year Reign

Vietnam Airlines has made history by becoming the first Asian airline to win the World's Best Culinary Airline title at the seventh annual World Culinary Awards ceremony, held in Jamaica on 14 October 2026. The win ended a four-year winning streak by Air France, which had held the title consecutively from 2022 through 2025. Vietnam Airlines was chosen over a shortlist that included Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Turkish Airlines — all ranked among the world's leading carriers by Skytrax. The airline's winning formula centres on seasonal, route-specific menus that vary by destination and class of travel. Domestic business class passengers are served Hanoi-style grilled pork, Quang-style noodles, and Hoi An's cao lau, while international routes pair Vietnamese phở with local specialties from the destination country — Korean bibimbap and bulgogi on Seoul routes, for example. Economy menus also blend Vietnamese and international dishes. The airline aims to achieve five-star service standards by 2030. London Heathrow was separately named World's Best Airport for Dining 2026, while London Gatwick's Clubrooms took World's Best Airport Lounge for Dining, and Turkish Airlines claimed the Best Airline Lounge for Dining title.