Kenya Airways has strengthened its position as one of Africa’s leading aviation brands after scooping four major honours at the 2026 World Travel Awards in Zanzibar, including the coveted Africa’s Leading Airline title.
The national carrier beat major continental rivals to retain the top award during the 33rd World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Friday, August 28.
KQ was also named Africa’s Leading Airline Economy Class 2026, while its flagship Pride Lounge at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was crowned Africa’s Leading Airline Lounge.
Its inflight magazine, Msafiri, completed the four-award haul after being named Africa’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2026.
The honours recognise different parts of the passenger experience, from the airline’s overall proposition and economy cabin to the airport lounge and the magazine accompanying travellers during their journeys.
The overall airline award is particularly significant for KQ, which has retained the continental title for a third consecutive year, having also won it in 2024 and 2025.
The World Travel Awards listed Air Algérie, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, South African Airways, TAAG Angola Airlines and Tunisair among the nominees for the overall airline category.
Kenya Airways Acting Chief Executive Officer Capt. George Kamal said the recognition reflected the efforts of the airline’s employees and the confidence of its customers and industry partners.
“These awards are an important recognition of the commitment of our people and the confidence placed in Kenya Airways by our customers and industry partners. We are deeply grateful to the travellers and travel professionals whose confidence has made this recognition possible,” Kamal said.
The awards come as the national carrier continues efforts to strengthen its operations and expand its international footprint amid mounting pressures facing the global aviation industry.
Kenya Airways said it currently serves 45 destinations worldwide, including 37 in Africa. Through its membership of the SkyTeam Alliance and partnerships, the carrier gives customers access to more than 1,060 destinations in 173 countries.
KQ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said the four awards represented a vote of confidence in the airline’s role in connecting Africa to the rest of the world through its Nairobi hub.
“For Kenya Airways, the four awards are a vote of confidence in the airline’s role in connecting Africa to the world through its Nairobi hub and in the people, service and distinctly African hospitality behind the ‘Pride of Africa’ brand,” Thairu said.
The recognition also extends a strong run for Msafiri, which has now won the Africa’s Leading Inflight Magazine title for five consecutive years.
The publication has held the award since 2022.
The Pride Lounge award, meanwhile, gives KQ recognition beyond its aircraft, highlighting the airport experience it offers passengers travelling through its Nairobi hub.
KQ’s success in the economy-class category also marks a return to the top after EgyptAir won the award in 2025 and Ethiopian Airlines took it in 2024.
Kenya Airways previously won the economy-class title in 2023.
The airline’s latest haul comes against a difficult financial backdrop.
Kenya Airways reported a pre-tax loss of Sh15.92 billion for the first half of 2026, up from Sh12.17 billion during the same period last year.
The carrier has also been grappling with rising fuel costs, aircraft maintenance challenges and shortages of spare parts and engines.
The World Travel Awards recognition therefore offers KQ a significant boost at a time when it is seeking to improve its financial position and strengthen its competitiveness.
The awards were not, however, a clean sweep for Kenya Airways.
Ethiopian Airlines won Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class, while RwandAir was named Africa’s Leading Cabin Crew.
Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania was also named Africa’s Leading Airport.
Nairobi also emerged a winner, being named Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination for the eighth consecutive year, further reinforcing the Kenyan capital’s position as a regional aviation and business hub.
For Kenya Airways, the Zanzibar ceremony provided recognition across several points of the passenger journey, from the aircraft cabin and lounge to the magazine and the airline’s wider brand.
The four trophies give the national carrier fresh recognition as it seeks to reinforce its Pride of Africa identity while navigating the financial and operational challenges confronting the airline.
