A Canadian airline just ranked No.1 in the world for economy class and it's not Air Canada

Porter Airlines has been named the top economy class in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for 2026, marking the third consecutive year it has earned the No. 1 spot.

The Toronto-based carrier displaced global brands such as Singapore Airlines, Delta, and Cathay Pacific to win the honor, with Air Canada and WestJet not making the top 10.

USA Today's write-up highlights Porter as a “hidden gem in the North American aviation industry,” noting comfortable seats, complimentary snacks, and beverages including local wine and beer.

Porter emphasizes its economy experience by not using middle seats on any of its flights and by offering snacks plus beer and wine served in real glassware, with service extending to routes across Canada and the United States, including departures from Montreal.

The ranking process involves travel experts nominating airlines, followed by reader votes. A Montreal-based travel writer contributed as one of the experts assessing nominees for this year’s list, which features Porter among other top economy carriers.