The 2026 World Culinary Awards have once again celebrated excellence in gastronomy, but this year's spotlight extends beyond restaurants to the skies and airport terminals. Airlines, airports, and lounges were among the winners, recognizing the increasingly sophisticated efforts to feed travelers well.
Vietnam Airlines: A culinary ambassador for Vietnamese cuisine
Vietnam Airlines claimed the title of World's Best Culinary Airline 2026, marking the first time an Asian carrier has won the award. The airline beat a strong field that included Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, and Turkish Airlines. The carrier's in-flight menus are designed to promote Vietnamese cuisine to international travelers, with seasonal and route-specific offerings that aim to give passengers a distinct culinary experience on every flight.
In economy class, the signature dish is a crispy, layered croissant served at breakfast. Lunch and dinner menus feature rice and spaghetti dishes, accompanied by a sauce, dessert, and bread roll. Business class passengers enjoy a broader selection, with dishes from around the world depending on the destination. On flights to South Korea, for example, bibimbap (mixed fried rice), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) appear on the menu. For European routes, travelers can expect French, German, and British cuisine, and pre-ordering is available for business class passengers flying to Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
Heathrow: The world's best airport for dining
London Heathrow was named the World's Best for Airport Dining 2026, outperforming rivals such as Dubai International, Hamad International in Qatar, Hong Kong International, New York's JFK, Paris Aéroport, and Singapore Changi. Across its four terminals, Heathrow offers a range of casual, café, and international dining concepts. The airport also promotes "dining in style," with venues like Le Café Louis Vuitton in Terminal 2, where passengers can enjoy sweet treats such as the hazelnut flower dessert—a morsel of hazelnut ganache, tender praline, and fleur de sel, adorned with the brand's iconic monogram flower.
In Terminal 5, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food Market serves all-day breakfast, pizza, sushi, noodles, and the traditional British favorite, fish and chips.
Turkish Airlines lounges: A global standard for pre-flight dining
Turkish Airlines' International Lounges were awarded the World's Best Airline Lounge for Dining. The competition included Air France's La Première First Class Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Etihad Airways' First Class Lounge and Spa at Zayed International Airport, and Lufthansa's First Class Lounge at Frankfurt Airport. Also nominated were Qatar Airways' Al Safwa First Class Lounge at Hamad International, SWISS' First Class Lounge at Zürich Airport, Thai Airways' Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge at Suvarnabhumi, and Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse at London Heathrow.
At Turkish Airlines' lounges, including the one at Edinburgh International Airport, guests can enjoy a buffet of Turkish and world cuisine, with both hot and cold offerings.
Gatwick's Clubrooms: Best airport lounge for dining
The Clubrooms at Gatwick South Terminal won the World's Best Airport Lounge for Dining 2026. Other nominees included Blue Sky Premier Lounge at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia, Plaza Premium First Hong Kong, Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 at Dubai International, SkyTeam Lounge at Sydney Airport, and the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International.
Gatwick's Clubrooms offers seasonally updated menus with a range of hot and cold dishes, alongside light bites. Breakfast options include eggs benedict and Belgian waffles, while evening dining features chicken Caesar salad, gochujang chicken thigh bowl, and Moroccan nut roast with green beans in lemon olive oil.
These awards highlight the growing importance of culinary quality in the travel experience, as airlines and airports compete to attract discerning passengers. For travelers, the recognition means more than just a meal—it's a taste of the destination before arrival. As the industry evolves, expect more carriers and hubs to invest in elevating their dining offerings, making the journey itself a memorable part of the trip.
