The UAE's aviation sector has achieved a landmark global milestone: three UAE-based airlines ranked among the world's five safest carriers, with Etihad Airways claiming the number one spot worldwide on AirlineRatings' 2026 World's Safest Airlines list — one of the most closely watched safety rankings in the global aviation industry.
Etihad Tops the 2026 World's Safest Airlines List
Etihad was ranked first globally, followed by Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Emirates rounding out the top five. The full top ten 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 called it a historic achievement, saying "this marks the first time a Gulf carrier has secured the number one position." She credited Etihad's ranking to its young fleet, strong cockpit safety measures — particularly around turbulence prevention — its crash-free operational history, and the lowest incident rate per flight among all airlines assessed. Etihad also participated in an independent onboard safety audit and demonstrated high standards in cabin safety management.
UAE's Aviation Leader Reacts
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said the ranking reflects the airline's strong safety culture, the commitment of its entire workforce, and the growing aviation excellence of the UAE and the wider region.
Heavy Investment Backs the Rankings
The strong performance of UAE airlines comes amid significant fleet investment. During Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates, Etihad, and flydubai placed combined orders for more than 500 commercial and cargo aircraft, valued at nearly Dh420 billion — reinforcing long-term commitments to safety, efficiency, and service quality.
flydubai Also Shines in Budget Carrier Rankings
In the budget airline category, Dubai-based flydubai ranked fourth globally, making it the only UAE carrier to feature in the top ten safest low-cost airlines. HK Express claimed first place in that category, followed by Jetstar Airways and Scoot.
How AirlineRatings Scores Airlines
AirlineRatings evaluates 320 airlines worldwide using incident rates adjusted for total flights, fleet age, serious incidents, pilot training standards, compliance with international safety audits, and operational transparency. Additional weight was given this year to turbulence-prevention protocols. The organisation noted that safety differences among top-ranked carriers are extremely narrow — with incident rates ranging between 0.002 and 0.09 per flight — reflecting the industry's consistently high overall standards.
The results further cement the UAE's position as a global aviation leader, setting new benchmarks for safety, operational excellence, and passenger confidence worldwide.
