Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines represent Southeast Asia on Skytrax's 2026 list of the world's 20 cleanest airlines. This ranking follows a comprehensive survey conducted by the aviation rating organization, involving over 24 million passengers.

Singapore Airlines earned the second position, trailing only Starlux Airlines from Taiwan. The airline's ranking reflects its hygiene standards and cabin cleanliness, assessed across passenger seating, tray tables, carpets, cabin panels, and lavatories. Malaysia Airlines secured the 11th spot on the list.

A Singapore Airlines aircraft taking off. Photo: Wiki

Singapore Airlines implements rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols to maintain its hygiene standards. These measures include intensive aircraft cleaning, applying antimicrobial coatings to high-touch surfaces, and washing linens at high temperatures.

The airline also plans to invest SGD 1.1 billion (USD 834 million) by the end of 2030. This investment will upgrade all seat classes across 41 long-haul and ultra-long-haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft, according to Reuters.

Malaysia Airlines emphasizes passenger cabin hygiene and comfort. Its newer cabins incorporate lightweight materials and modern seating designs to enhance the passenger experience.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are annual accolades based on global passenger surveys, often referred to as the "Oscars of the aviation industry." Other categories within these awards include: best airlines globally and by region, best economy class airline catering, and best cabin crew.

The 2026 survey ran from September 2025 to August 2026. Passengers from over 100 nationalities participated, evaluating more than 325 airlines. Skytrax announced the results on September 18.

Anh Minh