These are the airlines and frequent flyer programs that won TPG Awards this year
Delta Air Lines. JetBlue. American Airlines' AAdvantage program. Qatar Airways.
There were plenty of familiar aviation brands taking home 2026 TPG Awards, with five repeat winners among the eight categories where repeats were possible.
We also had some new entrants in this year's winner circle, including innovative moves by both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines (the latter along with merger partner Hawaiian Airlines).
Few things are as synonymous with travel as airlines, airports and frequent flyer programs — so let's get to the list of winners to see which carriers caught our attention across our 12 total categories for 2026.
Best US Airline Loyalty Program: American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines is a repeat winner in perhaps our highest-profile aviation award: Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program.
One of our three aviation awards determined solely by data, this award involved evaluating airlines on the following items:
- Airline footprint
- Earning rates and opportunities
- Redemption rates opportunities
- Program benefits
American, buoyed by the strength of its earnings and redemption opportunities, kept its crown by edging out our No. 2 selection, United. But the race was exceedingly tight, meaning American could face a tough fight if it is to keep its crown for another year.
Best US Airline Elite Status: American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
American Airlines' top-tier Executive Platinum status took the top spot for Best U.S. Airline Elite Status, knocking out previous winner Alaska Airlines and its MVP 100 status.
The second of TPG's three data-driven aviation categories, this award considered metrics like the ease of earning elite status, benefits while traveling (think: factors like upgrade options, lounge access and fee waivers) and other perks that go into an airline's elite tiers. See our full methodology here.
American Airlines performed well across the board to overtake Alaska Airlines, which still posted a solid second-place showing. And with its new Atmos Rewards program just getting started (more on that below), Alaska Airlines is certainly worth keeping an eye on for both its overall program and the perks it will add down the line.
Best US Business Class: Delta Air Lines Delta One
Delta Air Lines has been the established leader in this category, evidenced by winning this TPG Award category several years in a row. And what's not to like? The latest iteration of this product features sliding privacy doors and seats that recline into lie-flat beds up to 80 inches long.
Delta first debuted the Delta One cabin in 2016, and today, it flies on the carrier's Airbus A350s and Airbus A330neos, as well as on some Boeing 767-400ERs, though the latter do not feature the sliding doors.
Delta One has set the standard among U.S. airlines for international business class, helping Delta back up its claim as the most premium U.S.-based carrier.
But the coming year may see Delta face its biggest challenge yet in this category. American just debuted its highly anticipated Flagship Suites in 2025, and United's updated Polaris business-class suites are set to take flight early this year. Both loom as formidable challengers that could threaten Delta's multiyear run atop this category.
Best International Business Class: Qatar Airways Qsuite
Another long-running winner in its category, Qatar Airways' Qsuite again takes the crown in 2026 for best business class by an international carrier.
Just as with Delta, Qatar's business-class seats have been a flyer favorite since the Qsuite debuted in 2017. Also, like at Delta, Qatar Airways will face increasing competition in the year ahead as other luxe international carriers roll out new business-class seats that could give the airline a run for its money — so stay tuned.
Best International First Class: Air France La Premiere
Air France rolled out its new La Premiere first-class cabin in 2025 — and wow, was it ever a showstopper.
As one of the few global carriers to commit to a true international first-class product — in addition to business class — Air France's latest iteration features an ultraluxe cabin with just four first-class suites.
With 38 square feet of space, they're some of the most spacious seats in the sky, featuring both a reclining armchair and a chaise lounge (the latter of which converts into a lie-flat bed). Each suite has two 32-inch 4K entertainment screens. Air France's "soft" product is also part of the appeal, with gourmet meals and high-end amenities that help set La Premiere apart from other first-class offerings.
Air France knocked Japan Airlines out of the top spot in the international first-class category, and its early reviews suggest it could be poised for a multiyear run of its own.
Best International Premium Economy: Emirates Premium Economy
Emirates repeated as the winner for Best International Premium Economy, taking the top spot for the cabin that bridges the gap between economy and business class on long-haul international flights. The recliner-style seats give passengers room to stretch out, with Emirates' highly regarded service helping it claim the top spot.
But the Dubai-based carrier may have its work cut out for it if it intends to win the crown again next year. International carriers have upped their focus on premium economy cabins as leisure travelers' appetite for luxury travel has soared since the coronavirus pandemic.
Best US Economy Cabin: JetBlue
JetBlue again takes home the TPG Award for the best economy cabin among U.S. carriers.
Buoyed by the highest average space per passenger in economy, JetBlue's overall experience helps it stand out among its U.S. peers.
While other U.S. carriers can claim solid economy service — Delta likes to tout its premium experience, for example — it's the consistency of JetBlue's product that gives it an edge. With only Airbus A320-family and Airbus A220 jets in its fleet, customers count on spacious Wi-Fi-equipped planes on every flight.
Best New Credit Card Lounge: Capital One Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
New York is known as "the city that never sleeps." Now, that also extends to the city's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). That's where Capital One has set up shop for one of its newest lounges — one that will be open 24 hours a day.
The first to carry the card issuer's "flagship" designation, Capital One's new location ups the competition among rival lounges at JFK's Terminal 4. Aside from the around-the-clock operation, the lounge features a cheesemonger, shower suites and both hot food made to order and grab-and-go options you can take on the fly.
Best New US Airline Lounge: Delta One Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
A new category for 2026, Delta's new Delta One Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) emerged as our choice as the top newly opened U.S. airline lounge. It's the latest expansion of Delta's posh network of business-class lounges that complement its long-standing network of "regular" Sky Clubs. The one in Seattle is a particular gem, sitting on the fourth floor above a brand-new Sky Club that also just opened a floor below.
Best Credit Card Lounge Network: Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
The winner here was Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, beating out American Express' Centurion Lounge network for the crown in the last of our three "In the Air" categories, decided strictly by data.
To crown the winner, we considered:
- The size of the network of lounges within the U.S.
- Amenities in the lounges
- Quality and variety of food-and-beverage options
- Ease of use of the lounges (including access, guest policies and authorized user privileges)
Check out our full recap of the category to learn more about how Chase landed on top.
Best Innovation in Route Strategy: United Airlines
United was the runaway winner in this special category for 2026. New routes include destinations like Mongolia and Greenland, where no U.S. airline has ever flown before, as well as ultra-long-haul routes to Thailand and Vietnam and routes to secondary European markets like Bari, Italy, and Mallorca, Spain.
Sure, United still has boatloads of flights to stalwart destinations like London, Paris and Rome, but its recent additions to far-flung and little-served overseas destinations stand out from its rivals. Read this breakdown of how United's bold strategy positioned it for the win from TPG's Sean Cudahy to learn more about the carrier's latest route decisions.
Best Innovation in Airline Loyalty: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
Alaska Airlines' and Hawaiian Airlines' new joint Atmos Rewards program stands out as another clear "innovation" winner for 2026. This brand-new frequent flyer program was created to bring Alaska and its merger partner, Hawaiian, under the same loyalty umbrella.
With a broad set of partners and creative new details — like letting customers choose how they earn elite status — the Atmos program has emerged as one to watch.
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner-selection process and methodology for the 2026 TPG Awards.