Taipei: EVA Air has been named the world's best international airline in Travel + Leisure's 2026 World's Best Awards, marking the first time the Taiwanese carrier has taken the top spot in the annual readers' survey.

According to Focus Taiwan, the global travel magazine reported on Tuesday that EVA Air ranked first among international airlines after receiving a score of 91.63 from more than 200,000 readers who participated in this year's survey, surpassing Qatar Airways and Emirates.

Travel + Leisure highlighted that EVA Air, headquartered in Taiwan and a member of the Star Alliance, earned the top ranking due to its high-quality business class service and extensive network across Asia.

EVA Air Chairman Steve Lin expressed that the recognition was a testament to the dedication of the airline's employees. He emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing services, including the introduction of its fourth-generation Premium Economy Class in 2025 and plans to upgrade onboard amenities and dining by partnering with international brands.

Travel + Leisure conducts its annual World's Best Awards survey, inviting readers to evaluate various travel-related categories such as airlines, hotels, cruise lines, cities, and islands. For 32 years, the airline category has assessed carriers based on cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, and overall value.

The top 10 international airlines in the 2026 World's Best Awards are EVA Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, La Compagnie, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL), Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Etihad Airways, and Thai Airways International.