Public voting opens on Friday (January 9) for the Onboard Hospitality Awards 2026.
The online voting gives a chance to our international readership of 25,000 to have a say in the judging and determine which products and innovations make it through to the shortlist.
There are nearly 300 entries this year – a record number – across a range of categories covering onboard F&B, amenity kits, tableware, bedding, sleepwear, serviceware, inflight entertainment, apps and more.
Now in their 12th year, the Onboard Hospitality Awards are regarded the most prestigious and reputable awards in the onboard hospitality sector.
Entries can come from airlines, rail, cruise and ferry operators, caterers, suppliers, designers and anyone else associated with the onboard hospitality sector.
All entries will be showcased, with images, on our global website onboardhospitality.com and in a special supplement published in March and distributed at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services EXPO (WTCE) in Hamburg in April.
Winners will be unveiled at a special presentation ceremony on the first day of the show on April 14.
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.
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
Online voting takes place for two weeks until the deadline of Friday January 23 and is used to select the list of 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 Sue Williams, Publisher of Onboard Hospitality magazine.
“Look out for the entries on our website later this week and for a link to the online voting form. We look forward to seeing who makes it through to the shortlist for 2026.”
