Global Airline rankings always witness the name of Emirates in the list. But this time, it was overtaken by Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier. Etihad Airways has landed at the very top of the global safety rankings. The airline has been named the world’s safest full-service airline for 2026 by AirlineRatings. Not 10 or 20, but Etihad has beaten more than 320 carriers assessed worldwide to win the title. It has passed aviation’s most closely watched safety benchmarks. And for the first time, a Gulf airline has taken the number one spot.
Etihad Airways Named World’s Safest Airline for 2026, Topping Global Rankings
According to Gulf News, the ranking places Etihad ahead of some of the industry’s most established names, confirming Abu Dhabi’s growing influence in global aviation standards.
How The Rankings Are Decided
AirlineRatings does not rely on popularity or brand shine. The data of these rankings relies on incident rates adjusted for total flights, Fleet age, Serious safety events, Pilot training standards and International audits.
For 2026, the organisation also placed added weight on turbulence management that leads to in-flight injuries in some cases. Airlines were assessed on their participation in the IATA Turbulence Aware programme, onboard procedures, and real-time response systems.
Why Etihad Took The Top Spot
AirlineRatings cited several reasons for Etihad’s rise to number one. A young, modern fleet with advanced cockpit safety systems. Strong turbulence forecasting and response protocols. A clean, crash-free history. Most importantly, the lowest incident rate per flight among all airlines assessed.
The airline also completed an independent onboard safety audit, showing strict compliance with cabin safety and turbulence procedures.
How Other Airlines Ranked
The top 10 list still reads like aviation royalty:
- Etihad
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas
- Qatar
- Emirates
- Air New Zealand
- Singapore Airlines
- EVA Air
- Virgin Australia
- Korean Air
Also Read: Etihad Rail Unveils 7 New Passenger Stations In 2026; List Of 11 Stations Inside!
Low-Cost Airlines Also Under the Microscope
AirlineRatings also released its Top 25 Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2026, which included names like Jetstar, easyJet, Ryanair, AirAsia, and Southwest.
For passengers, this ranking is about choosing an airline backed by proven safety performance, especially on long-haul routes.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/manfredxy
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