Today: Tuesday January 13, 2026 : Rajab 24, 1447 AH- Philippines, UAE Seal First-Ever Free Trade Deal with Middle East
- Sheikh Hamdan Launches 'Season of Wulfa' to Celebrate Emirati Heritage
- Dubai to Test Shared School Buses in Early 2026 to Reduce Traffic
- Salik and Dubai Airports to Launch E-Wallet Parking
To read the full story for free, please enter your e-mail
Thank you for your subscription, you will receive our Newsletter shortly
Join more than 150 of our special readers
Etihad Named World's Safest Airline
UAE’s national carrier takes top spot in global airline safety rankings for the first time, highlighting fleet quality and safety performance.
- Publish date: since 2 hour Reading time: two min read
Etihad Airways has been named the world’s safest full-service airline in the latest global safety rankings released for 2026, marking a historic first for a Gulf carrier to take the top spot in the prestigious AirlineRatings.com evaluation of more than 320 airlines worldwide.
The annual safety rankings by AirlineRatings.com, the industry’s widely recognised airline safety and product rating platform, consider a range of factors including incident and accident rates, fleet age, transparency, pilot training, international audits and new emphasis on turbulence management and onboard safety audits. Etihad’s performance across these metrics propelled it above major global competitors.
According to the 2026 report, Etihad’s younger fleet, strong cockpit safety systems, adherence to best practices in cabin safety and a crash-free history were key contributors to its ranking, edging out renowned carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Emirates. Emirates, another UAE national airline, also secured a place among the top safe carriers in the full-service category.
AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen highlighted that the top of the list was tightly contested, with only marginal differences separating the leading airlines, but emphasised that Etihad’s commitment to safety excellence stood out in the comprehensive assessment.
The news follows a strong year for Etihad in safety and service recognition. In 2025, the airline garnered numerous international awards, including attaining the esteemed Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating, reinforcing its reputation for operational excellence and robust safety culture across its global network.
Etihad’s achievement underscores the UAE’s rising influence in global aviation safety and contributes to broader recognition of the region’s carriers in international airline rankings. It also reflects ongoing investments in fleet modernization, crew training and safety protocols that continue to build confidence among passengers worldwide.
The AirlineRatings list remains a crucial benchmark for travellers and industry stakeholders alike, offering an independent measure of airline safety in an era where transparent and data-driven evaluations are increasingly essential to informed travel decisions.