Chinese Airline Captures World’s Leading Low-Cost Carrier Title for the First Time
HK Express wins the title of the world's best low-cost carrier from AirlineRatings, marking a historic achievement.
On March 18, the aviation evaluation website AirlineRatings unveiled its World’s Best Airlines 2026 rankings.
This year, Qatar Airways maintained its position as the premier full-service carrier, with Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong securing second place. Hainan Airlines ranked 14th, while the Chinese trio of major airlines failed to enter the Top 20.
Conversely, HK Express, a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific, soared from the fourth position last year to claim the title of the world’s best low-cost carrier for the first time. Spring Airlines occupied the 20th spot on the low-cost carrier list.
According to Sharon Petersen, the CEO of AirlineRatings, HK Express impresses through its reliable cabin service and onboard dining, although it lacks extras like Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment. Its menu features a blend of Hong Kong street food and global cuisine, successfully balancing service quality, comfort, and affordability.
Throughout the previous year, HK Express has expanded its Asian network and increased its capacity, flying close to 8 million passengers, constituting one out of every eight travelers at Hong Kong International Airport.
