What To Know
- Reacting to the announcement, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said the ranking reflects the airline’s strong safety culture, the commitment of its workforce, and the growing aviation excellence of the UAE and wider region.
- In the budget airline category, Dubai-based flydubai ranked fourth globally, making it the only regional carrier to feature in the top 10 safest low-cost airlines.
- The UAE’s aviation sector has achieved a major global milestone after three UAE-based airlines were ranked among the world’s five safest carriers, with Etihad Airways taking the top spot worldwide.
The UAE’s aviation sector has achieved a major global milestone after three UAE-based airlines were ranked among the world’s five safest carriers, with Etihad Airways taking the top spot worldwide. The recognition comes from AirlineRatings’ 2026 World’s Safest Airlines list, one of the most closely watched safety rankings in the global aviation industry.
According to the report, Etihad was ranked number one globally, followed by Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Emirates. The top 10 list also included Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Virgin Australia and Korean Air. The annual study evaluated 25 full-service airlines and leading budget carriers using strict safety and operational criteria.
AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Petersen said this marks the first time a Gulf carrier has secured the number one position. She noted that Etihad’s achievement was driven by its young fleet, strong cockpit safety measures—particularly around turbulence—its crash-free history, and the lowest incident rate per flight among airlines assessed. Etihad also participated in an independent onboard safety audit and demonstrated high standards in cabin safety management.
Reacting to the announcement, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said the ranking reflects the airline’s strong safety culture, the commitment of its workforce, and the growing aviation excellence of the UAE and wider region.
The strong performance of UAE airlines comes amid heavy investment in fleet renewal and technology. During the Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai placed orders for more than 500 commercial and cargo aircraft, valued at nearly Dh420 billion, reinforcing long-term commitments to safety, efficiency and service quality.
In the budget airline category, Dubai-based flydubai ranked fourth globally, making it the only regional carrier to feature in the top 10 safest low-cost airlines. HK Express claimed first place, followed by Jetstar Airways and Scoot.
AirlineRatings emphasised that safety differences among top-ranked airlines are extremely narrow, with incident rates ranging between 0.002 and 0.09 per flight, highlighting the industry’s overall safety standards.
The results further strengthen the UAE’s position as a global aviation leader, setting benchmarks for safety, operational excellence and passenger confidence.
Cover Photo: etihad/Instagram
