AirlineRatings.com, the world’s leading airline safety and product rating authority, has revealed its much-anticipated World’s Safest Airline Rankings for 2026, evaluating 320 airlines using a rigorous, data-driven methodology that includes incident rates, fleet age, pilot training, international audit compliance, and enhanced turbulence-prevention measures.
In this year’s rankings, Etihad Airways has been named the World’s Safest Airline for 2026, topping AirlineRatings.com’s highly regarded global safety rankings. This marks a historic achievement as the first Gulf carrier ever to secure the number one position in the full-service airline safety list, underscoring Etihad’s unwavering commitment to aviation safety excellence.
Etihad’s top ranking is based on several key factors, including its young fleet, advanced cockpit safety systems with a focus on turbulence management, a crash-free history, and the lowest incident rate per flight among all airlines evaluated.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said:
“We are incredibly proud to receive one of the most respected airline safety awards in the world from AirlineRatings, an independent, globally recognised organisation. As the first Gulf carrier to achieve this position, it reflects the strength of our safety culture, the dedication of our people, and the aviation excellence of our region.
This recognition is a reminder that safety is never achieved in isolation. Across aviation, airlines continuously share best practices and learn from experience, supported by a strong regulatory environment that sets demanding standards and pushes the bar higher. In the UAE, this regulatory framework challenges us to meet the highest levels of safety and operational excellence every day.”
