Etihad Airways Named Among the World’s Safest Airlines with Elite Rating

If Etihad Airways is your go-to airline, here’s some good news for your next flight. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has just hit a major milestone in aviation safety — and it’s a big one.

A First for the Region

Etihad has officially become the first airline in the region to receive the Seven-Star Plus Safety Rating from AirlineRatings.com. That’s the highest rating the global aviation safety platform gives out — and only four airlines worldwide have ever achieved it.

The rating looks closely at cabin safety, onboard procedures, and the systems that support daily flight operations. In short: Etihad didn’t just pass — it stood out.

Why This Rating Matters

According to AirlineRatings.com, Etihad’s win reflects how deeply safety is built into its operations, not just in the cabin but across the entire airline. The audit also highlighted the airline’s strong attention to detail and consistency in how safety standards are applied.

For passengers, that means peace of mind — whether you’re flying short-haul or crossing continents.

A Big Year for Etihad

This safety win adds to what’s already been a standout year for the airline. In 2025 alone, Etihad has picked up more than 25 international awards, covering everything from cabin design and dining to customer experience and operations.

Earlier this month, the airline swept three major global titles at the World Travel Awards Grand Final in Bahrain, including:

• World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience

• World’s Leading Airline Economy Class

• World’s Leading Airline Lounge (Business Class) for its Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport

Regional Wins Keep Rolling In

Etihad also dominated the Middle East World Travel Awards, taking home five regional titles. These included awards for customer experience, economy class, inflight entertainment, cabin crew, and business class lounge.

And if that wasn’t enough, the airline was earlier ranked as the fifth safest full-service airline in the world, placing it alongside global heavyweights like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Virgin Australia.

What This Means for Flyers

For travelers, especially frequent flyers in the region, Etihad’s latest rating confirms what many already feel — it’s an airline that takes safety seriously while still delivering a premium experience.

And judging by this year’s streak, Etihad isn’t slowing down anytime soon.