For the first time, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has been named a Five Star Major Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). CAL has previously been named a Four Star Major Airline in 2024, 2022, 2020, and 2019. But at the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO Awards Ceremony held in California, the local carrier did one better than last year, copping the APEX Five Star Major Airline 2026 award. It’s the only Caribbean carrier to be named in that category alongside airlines such as Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and French boutique airline La Compagnie.
According to global non-profit APEX, the awards are based on certified third-party passenger feedback. Over one million flights were rated across nearly 600 airlines and independently certified by an external auditing company. APEX also made changes to the 2026 APEX Five Star ratings criteria, limiting it to the Top 40 airlines in the world, which represent less than 7% of the airlines rated worldwide. Collectively, the awards recognised the Top 100 airlines in the world for passenger experience.
“What sets the APEX/IFSA Awards apart comes from how our awards program moves beyond recognition; it actively drives excellence across our entire industry,” APEX/IFSA Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader stated. “Unlike other award platforms, these honors reflect both the voices of millions of global passengers and the rigorous assessments of independent experts. This powerful combination establishes the APEX/IFSA Awards as the most trusted and impactful distinction in aviation today.”
Caribbean Airlines also won a Five Star Major Regional Airline award in 2018.
