Emirates shines with two prestigious 2026 APEX awards for entertainment and customer experience

Emirates’ Double Triumph at the 2026 APEX Awards

The 2026 APEX/IFSA Global Expo held in Long Beach, California, saw Emirates receiving prestigious recognition with two major awards highlighting the airline’s commitment to outstanding inflight entertainment and unrivaled customer experience.

Leading the Sky with the APEX Best™ Global Entertainment Award

Chosen from over 600 competing airlines worldwide, Emirates was honored with the 2026 APEX Best™ Global Entertainment Award. This accolade reflects the voice of one million verified passengers who voted for the airline’s renowned ice inflight entertainment system.

Ice offers passengers an expansive media library, arguably the largest available in the sky, featuring over 6,500 options. These include up to 2,000 movies, 650 television shows, and approximately 4,000 hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks available in 40 languages. Collaboration with top content providers like HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, and Spotify ensures a diverse and contemporary selection, catering to all tastes and age groups.

Passengers can also enjoy 5 live TV channels broadcasting sports, news, and global events, alongside flight information such as real-time updates, news headlines, and even an inflight airshow with external cameras to view the world from 40,000 feet.

Next-Gen Entertainment on New Airbus A350 Fleet

Further enhancing the inflight experience, Emirates is investing over US$350 million to install the Thales AVANT Up system across its 50 new Airbus A350 aircraft. These systems feature groundbreaking technology like Optiq 4K QLED HDR displays, triple the content capacity compared to previous versions, improved live TV choices, user-friendly interfaces, and enhanced connectivity options for passengers.

APEX WORLD CLASS™ Award: A Record Sixth Year of Excellence

For the sixth consecutive year, Emirates has earned the 2026 APEX WORLD CLASS™ award, validating its top-tier service and comprehensive customer experience. This award assesses all facets of the airline’s offering, including safety, sustainability, personalized service, food and beverage quality, comfort, connectivity, and brand integrity. Each assessment is conducted by industry professionals directly observing real-time flights.

This accolade reinforces Emirates’ “fly better” promise, reflecting its continuous innovation and dedication to passenger satisfaction across the globe.

Emirates’ Wider Global Recognition

Emirates’ success at the APEX awards complements other recent honors, such as being voted the Best Long Haul Airline at The Telegraph Travel Awards 2025—an accolade awarded by 20,000 travel readers. Additionally, it earned the title of 2025’s Most Recommended Global Brand by YouGov, standing out as the sole airline in the top 10 global list.

These awards are a testament to Emirates’ status as a favorite choice for international travelers, offering experiences that surpass expectations.

What This Means for Travelers and Tourism

For tourists and avid travelers, Emirates’ innovative approach to inflight entertainment and customer experience adds significant value to long-haul journeys, making travel not just a means of arrival but an integral part of the adventure. Enhanced comfort, diverse entertainment options, and customer-centric services elevate the overall travel experience, encouraging greater global mobility and exploration.

Platforms like GetExperience.com complement such journeys perfectly, offering travelers secure and convenient ways to plan excursions and tours tailored to their interests, backed by verified providers and transparent payment options. Through GetExperience.com, travelers can access unique experiences that enhance their destination stays, supported by reliable reviews and flexible booking options.

Highlights and Booking Convenience with GetExperience.com

While awards and reviews provide valuable insights, they can never fully capture the sensation of personal travel. Booking experiences through reliable platforms like GetExperience.com allows travelers to choose from a wide array of tours and activities—from luxury adventure travel experiences to eco-friendly wildlife safaris, interactive online cultural workshops, and even beginner esports coaching sessions.

Offering a seamless booking process with secured payments and voucher confirmations, GetExperience.com makes it easy to tailor your travel adventure without surprises. Whether you are exploring new cities, embarking on safari tours, joining museum tours with professional live guides, or partaking in exclusive yacht charters for events, this platform delivers convenience and choice at reasonable prices.

Book now on GetExperience.com to find the best tours and experiences that match your travel aspirations.

Summary and Takeaway

Emirates’ 2026 APEX awards underline the airline’s commitment to transforming inflight experiences through cutting-edge entertainment and a holistic approach to customer service. This dual recognition reinforces its leadership in global aviation and signals exciting prospects for travelers seeking memorable journeys. As tourism continues to evolve, such airline innovations coupled with platforms like GetExperience.com enable travelers to craft personalized adventures featuring everything from immersive virtual tours to luxury yacht parties and safari expeditions. These options enrich not only the transit moments but also the stay at destinations, fostering deeper cultural engagement and unforgettable travel memories.