The Onboard Hospitality Awards 2026 are now open for entries, with exciting new categories added this year.
The prestigious awards, now in their 12th year, recognise and reward excellence and innovation in an industry which is constantly innovating and evolving.
They celebrate the unwavering commitment of the individuals and organisations in the airline, cruise, rail and ferry industries dedicated to enhancing the onboard experience.
The Onboard Hospitality Awards are a beacon of excellence, recognising the achievements of teams and companies continuously striving to transform travel into truly memorable journeys.
Entries close December 1 2025.
New for 2026
Due to the high number and quality of entries in the F&B categories in recent years, additional awards have been added for 2026.
Open to both airlines and caterers, 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.
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.
The closing date for submissions is December 1 2025, after which online voting opens on January 1 2026.
Independent judging
“The success of our awards relies on transparency and integrity so that’s why we invite our readers to vote,” says Sue Williams, Publisher of Onboard Hospitality magazine.
“This is then endorsed by a panel of highly respected international judges who can put forward any outstanding products they felt had not been selected.”
Each shortlisted entry then undergoes rigorous evaluation by a panel of independent experts who are selected because of their knowledge and good standing within the industry.
“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,” adds 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.
Entries close December 1 2025.
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
Learn more about the categories here. Not sure which category to enter? Contact Sue Williams sue.williams@onboardhospitality.com
Entries close December 1 2025.
The 2026 Cabin Concept of the Year Awards are also now open for entries.
