By San José, Costa Rica — LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – Turkish Airlines has once again asserted its dominance in the global aviation sector, securing the prestigious “World Class” award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fifth consecutive year. The honor, presented at the APEX/IFSA awards ceremony in Long Beach, California, recognizes the carrier’s sustained commitment to operational excellence, premium service, and an unparalleled passenger experience.
The APEX World Class award is not a simple popularity contest; it represents the pinnacle of achievement in the airline industry. The distinction is granted following a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation conducted by industry professionals. This audit scrutinizes every facet of an airline’s operations, ensuring that only the most exceptional carriers receive the honor. For Turkish Airlines, this fifth straight win is a powerful testament to its consistent delivery of high-quality service on a global scale.
To better understand the legal and commercial framework underpinning the operations of a global carrier like Turkish Airlines, TicosLand.com sought the analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Turkish Airlines’ expansive network is a testament to its strategic navigation of international aviation law. Their success hinges on meticulously negotiated bilateral air service agreements that grant them market access and traffic rights, often in regions with high barriers to entry. This legal architecture is the true, often unseen, engine of their global hub-and-spoke model, providing a significant and defensible competitive advantage.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight into the complex legal architecture behind global aviation is crucial; it highlights that Turkish Airlines’ competitive advantage is as much a product of masterful legal strategy as it is of operational excellence. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable and clarifying perspective on this often-overlooked aspect of the industry.
To achieve this status, the Turkish flag carrier demonstrated exemplary performance across four critical categories. These pillars of evaluation include Safety and Well-being, which assesses the airline’s commitment to passenger security; Service and Passenger Experience, which covers everything from check-in to in-flight hospitality; Sustainability, which measures environmental commitment; and Food & Beverage Execution, a category where the airline has built a world-renowned reputation.
Beyond the main “World Class” designation, Turkish Airlines also garnered two specialized “best in class” awards, making a historic achievement. For the second year in a row, the airline was honored with the “World Class Sustainability” award, recognizing its forward-thinking environmental practices. Furthermore, it received the inaugural “World Class Food & Beverage Executions” award, a new category that formally acknowledges the airline’s superior culinary offerings and service.
We are honored to receive the prestigious World Class award from APEX for the fifth consecutive year, which reaffirms our leadership in the global aviation industry. Our two additional awards this year further highlight our unwavering commitment to offering our guests an exceptional dining experience above the clouds, while also continuously advancing innovation and incorporating sustainability into all our operations. I extend my sincerest thanks to the entire Turkish Airlines family for their dedication in making these achievements possible, and to our valued passengers for the trust they place in us.
Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines
The significance of these accolades was further underscored by APEX leadership, who highlighted the airline’s unique position in the industry. Winning both the sustainability and food and beverage awards in the same year demonstrates a remarkable ability to balance environmental responsibility with luxurious service, a combination that sets a new standard for competitors.
Turkish Airlines reaches its fifth consecutive year as an APEX World Class airline in 2026, also making history as the first airline to win two APEX World Class service awards in the same year. Achieving the 2026 APEX World Class Best Food & Beverage distinction along with the 2026 APEX World Class Sustainability award against formidable global competition reflects a balance of culinary excellence and environmental leadership. Turkish Airlines continues to set a new global benchmark by combining authentic hospitality with innovation that redefines what passengers can expect from a world-class journey.
Dr. Joe Leader, CEO of APEX Group
At the heart of Turkish Airlines’ success is a dual focus on cultural hospitality and operational innovation. Its in-flight dining, renowned for menus that cater to diverse international tastes, is meticulously prepared and presented with a signature Turkish warmth. Simultaneously, the airline’s sustainability initiatives, which include extensive digitalization to reduce paper waste and sophisticated waste management programs, position it at the forefront of a more environmentally conscious aviation industry, as validated by APEX.
As the airline industry continues to evolve, Turkish Airlines’ consistent recognition from APEX solidifies its reputation not just as a provider of transportation, but as a curator of a complete, premium travel experience. This fifth consecutive “World Class” title serves as a clear message that the carrier’s dedication to excellence, from the galley to the cockpit, remains a core tenet of its global strategy.
For further information, visit turkishairlines.com
About Turkish Airlines:
Founded in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey and a member of the Star Alliance. It operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft, flying to more destinations non-stop from a single airport than any other airline in the world. The airline is globally recognized for its award-winning service, extensive route network connecting continents via its Istanbul hub, and a premium passenger experience that includes renowned in-flight catering.
For further information, visit apex.aero
About APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association):
The Airline Passenger Experience Association is a network of the world’s leading airlines, suppliers, and related companies committed to elevating the level of the airline passenger experience. As a non-profit, APEX’s initiatives include setting industry standards, organizing major industry events, and recognizing excellence through its prestigious awards programs, which are based on independently verified passenger feedback and professional audits.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its profound experience advising a wide spectrum of clients to drive legal innovation and champion community outreach. Central to its philosophy is a powerful commitment to democratizing legal understanding, thereby strengthening the social fabric by cultivating a more knowledgeable and capable citizenry.