The national carrier received the honor on June 12, 2026, during the 2026 APEX Awards ceremony held in Dublin, Ireland. The awards are organized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX).
Founded more than 40 years ago and headquartered in Washington, D.C., APEX is one of the world’s largest associations representing the airline industry.
This marks the first time that RwandAir has received the award, highlighting the exceptional service delivered by its cabin crew and confirming its position as the airline with the best inflight experience in Africa.
The APEX Awards are among the most respected honors in the aviation industry. RwandAir earned the recognition based on several criteria, including the quality of cabin crew service, onboard entertainment, internet connectivity, seating comfort, food and beverage standards, staff responsiveness, hospitality, and the overall customer experience from boarding to arrival.
RwandAir accepted the award during the APEX Future Travel Experience (FTE) conference, which brings together airlines from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to discuss the future of air travel.
The award was determined through feedback from passengers who participated in more than one million flights worldwide, reflecting RwandAir’s commitment to consistently delivering high-quality service across its daily operations.
It also recognizes the airline’s continued investment in premium customer service, professional training for cabin crew, and its dedication to ensuring passengers feel welcomed and well cared for throughout their journeys.
RwandAir Chief Executive Officer, Yvonne Manzi Makolo, said the award is a significant acknowledgment of the airline’s customer-focused approach and the dedication of its cabin crew.
“As RwandAir continues to pursue its vision of becoming a leading hub connecting Africa with the rest of the world, we are proud to showcase our culture of hospitality, professionalism, and warm service in every journey. We remain committed to advancing Africa’s aviation industry while providing our customers with world-class service,” she said.
Dr. Joe Leader, Chief Executive Officer of the APEX Group, noted that RwandAir’s victory reflects the airline’s remarkable progress in passenger service.
“RwandAir winning the 2026 APEX Best Cabin Service Award in Africa, based on passenger votes, highlights the extraordinary advancement of airline service standards driven by the carrier’s commitment to African hospitality, courtesy, and pride,” he said.
The latest recognition adds to RwandAir’s growing list of accolades, including being named Africa’s Leading Airline in 2025 at the World Airline Awards.
The airline has also been honored by Skytrax, the global organization known for evaluating airlines and airports worldwide.
In addition, RwandAir previously received the APEX Diamond Health Safety Status, which recognizes excellence in health protection measures, hygiene standards, and passenger safety. It became the first African airline to earn that distinction.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, launched operations on December 1, 2002, under the name Rwandair Express before rebranding to RwandAir in 2009.
Today, RwandAir is regarded as one of Africa’s fastest-growing airlines, operating routes across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Its fleet currently includes Boeing 737-800NG, Boeing 737-700NG, Bombardier Q400NG, and Airbus A330 aircraft.
