Kenya Airways has received four awards at the 2026 World Travel Awards held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, including the title of Africa’s Leading Airline.
The national carrier was announced as the winner during the awards gala on Friday, August 28. It beat Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and South African Airways to take the main airline award.
KQ also won Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class, adding another award to its record in the category.
This is the sixth time the airline has won the economy class award, having last taken it home in 2023.
The airline’s Pride Lounge at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was also recognised as Africa’s Leading Airline Lounge.
Another award went to Msafiri Magazine, Kenya Airways’ inflight publication, which was named Africa’s Leading Inflight Magazine for the fifth year in a row.
The magazine has held the award since 2022.
Nairobi wins again
The awards also brought another win for Kenya, with Nairobi being named Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2026.
It is the eighth consecutive time the capital has received the award.
Nairobi has won the category every year since it was introduced in 2019.
As for Kenya Airways, the win came when the company was making progress in expanding the scope of activities.
Currently, KQ is operating to 42 destinations worldwide, and the airline was also working on the fleet, in particular returning the 400-seat Boeing 777 to the company’s air fleet.
World Travel Awards, which were established in 1993, reward individuals and destinations in the sphere of travel, tourism and hospitality.
The winners are determined based on votes of professionals in the industry and customers, the latter receiving less weight compared to the former.
The four awards give Kenya Airways another international recognition as it continues efforts to grow its network and strengthen its position in the African aviation market.
