There are now just over five weeks left to enter the Onboard Hospitality Awards 2026, which celebrate the best onboard F&B, amenities, bedding, pyjamas, tableware, inflight entertainment, apps and more.
The awards celebrate the unwavering commitment of the individuals and organisations in the airline, rail, cruise and ferry industries dedicated to enhancing the onboard experience.
Now in their 12th year, they are a beacon of excellence, recognising the achievements of teams and companies continuously striving to transform travel into truly memorable journeys.
Entering the Onboard Hospitality Awards brings global exposure and opens doors to new global business opportunities and partnerships. Being associated with the awards elevates your brand image and sets you apart as a leader in the industry.
See our guide to how to enter the awards.
Entries close December 1 2025.
New for 2026
Additional F&B awards have been added for 2026 due to the high number and quality of entries in this sector in recent years.
Open to airlines, cruise lines, ferry and rail operators, plus caterers and suppliers, the F&B categories now include an award for the Best Chef Collaboration/Catering Concept, plus awards for Best Onboard Breakfast Food Service (all classes) and Best Low-Cost F&B Buy-on-board Menu.
A category for Best for Full-Service Food Service – Lunch & Dinner has been split into three categories for Economy, Business class and First class. Entries for these categories can either be a full tray (from an airline) or individual dishes.
There are now four beverage categories: Best Onboard Beverage – Alcoholic (beers, cocktails, spirits), Best Onboard Wine/Champagne (red, white, rose, sparkling, Champagne), Best Onboard Beverage – Non Alcoholic and Best Onboard Beverage – Hot Drinks.
The popular Ones to Watch category has been separated into two awards – F&B and non-F&B.
Independent judging
Once the entry deadline closes in early December, all entries are listed on our global website – onboardhospitality.com – and are voted for by our international readership of 25,000.
This initial vote opens on January 1 2026 and is used to select the finalists.
Finalists are then invited to send in samples of their products to be judged by a panel of 24 esteemed industry experts, selected because of their knowledge and good standing within the industry.
This takes place in the United Kingdom on February 26 2026.
“Our commitment to excellence extends not only to the awards themselves but also to the meticulous judging process which ensures the highest level of integrity and fairness,” says Publisher Sue Williams.
The winners will be revealed in a presentation ceremony on April 14 2026 during the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg.
The 2026 categories are:
Comfort
Amenities – First
Amenities – Business
Amenities – Premium Economy
Amenities – Economy/LCC
Wellbeing
Textiles – Wearable
Textiles – Onboard
Food and Beverage
Full-Service Economy Food Service – Lunch & Dinner
Business Class Food Service – Lunch & Dinner
First Class Food Service – Lunch & Dinner
Onboard Breakfast Food Service
Low-Cost F&B Buy-onboard Menu
Onboard Beverage – Alcoholic
Onboard Wine/Champagne
Onboard Beverage – Non Alcoholic
Onboard Beverage – Hot Drinks
Onboard Snacks – First/Business
Onboard Snacks – Full-service Economy
Special Dietary Meal or Product
Best Chef Collaboration/Catering Concept
New to industry
Ones to Watch F&B
Ones to Watch non-F&B
Multiple touchpoints
Accessibility
Sustainability – Product
Sustainability – Programme
Young Travellers – Amenities
Young Travellers – Other
Technology
Entertainment
Connectivity
Hardware
Apps
Serviceware
Service equipment – Passengers
Service equipment – Crew
Not sure which category to enter? Contact Sue Williams sue.williams@onboardhospitality.com. For F&B categories please contact Craig McQuinn craig.mcquinn@onboardhospitality.com.
The 2026 Cabin Concept of the Year Awards are also now open for entries.
