The prestigious 2025 APEX/IFSA Awards recognized outstanding achievements in customer experience, individual contributions, and innovation within the aviation industry. Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith received the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring leadership, becoming the seventh aviation leader to earn this honor. Joan Filippini from Paramount Pictures was also awarded the APEX Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to in-flight entertainment.
Top Airlines in the APEX World Class Category
Recognized for excellence in safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, ANA, Emirates, KLM, Japan Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines earned the APEX World Class distinction. This prestigious title acknowledges airlines that excelled through rigorous evaluation processes.
Best Airlines in Passenger Experience
Based on passenger votes, Qatar Airways won awards for Best Food & Beverage and Best Seat Comfort. Delta Air Lines took Best Wi-Fi, Singapore Airlines Best Entertainment, Xiamen Airlines Best Cabin Service, and Virgin Atlantic was recognized as Europe’s Best Overall Airline.
Lounge and Innovation Awards
The newly introduced APEX World Class Lounge award went to Japan Airlines for its First Class Lounges at Tokyo Haneda and Narita airports, while Oman Air’s Muscat lounge and Bahrain International Airport’s Pearl Lounge also earned recognition. In innovation, JSX received the Best In-Flight Connectivity award, Lufthansa Best In-Flight Entertainment, and Qatar Airways Best Cabin Innovation.
New Criteria and Passenger Feedback-Based Ratings
APEX tightened its criteria this year, designating the five-star status to only the top 40 airlines and the four-star status to the next top 50. The awards were based on passenger feedback gathered through TripIt and professional audits. The event emphasized the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainable innovation as a central theme.
Complete List of Winners
Individual Achievement Awards
- APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award: Benjamin Smith, Air France-KLM
- APEX Lifetime Achievement Award: Joan Filippini, Paramount Pictures
Airlines with APEX World Class Distinction
- ANA, Emirates, KLM, Japan Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Xiamen Airlines
Lounge Awards
- Japan Airlines First Class Lounge (Haneda and Narita)
- Oman Air Business Lounge (Muscat)
- The Pearl Lounge (Bahrain)
Best Airline Categories
- Best Wi-Fi: Delta Air Lines
- Best Food & Beverage: Qatar Airways
- Best Seat Comfort: Qatar Airways
- Best Entertainment: Singapore Airlines
- Best Cabin Service: Xiamen Airlines
- Best Overall Airline in Europe: Virgin Atlantic
Innovation Awards
- Best In-Flight Connectivity: JSX
- Best In-Flight Entertainment: Lufthansa
- Best Cabin Innovation: Qatar Airways
- Best In-Flight Amenity: Delta Air Lines (with Formia partnership)
- Best In-Flight Food or Beverage: Virgin Atlantic
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