For most travelers, air travel is not just about where to go, but how safe the journey will be.
The experience of being in the cabin of an airplane, seeing the expanse of clouds from above, and waiting to arrive at your destination are an integral part of the travel process. In this context, the credibility of an airline is an important aspect to consider before booking a ticket.
An airline’s safety record plays a major role in building passenger confidence from the outset, even before the wheels leave the runway.
Airline Ratings compiled a list of the safest airlines in 2026 by evaluating around 320 operators worldwide. The assessment was conducted comprehensively, taking into account various key safety indicators.
Several aspects were analyzed, including total number of flights, age of aircraft fleet, record of serious incidents, quality of pilot training, international safety audit results, and turbulence prevention systems during flights.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, ranked first as the world’s safest full-service airline for 2026 according to Airline Ratings.
This achievement also makes Etihad the first airline from the Gulf region to top the annual list.
This award was achieved thanks to a combination of a relatively young aircraft fleet, significant improvements in cockpit safety systems, a track record of no fatal accidents, and the lowest incident rate per flight compared to other airlines on the list.
Airline Ratings CEO Sharon Petersen explained that all airlines included in the 2026 list had experienced incidents in the past two years. These incidents ranged from tail-end collisions to onboard fires and engine failures.
“Overall, it’s important to note that every airline included in the 2026 list has recorded incidents in the past two years, ranging from tail-end collisions to onboard fires and engine failures,” said Airline Ratings CEO, as quoted by the Travel + Leisure website, Tuesday (January 27, 2026).
However, the actual incident rate per flight ranged from 0.002 to 0.09 across all airlines assessed. This figure represents an excellent achievement and reflects the high safety standards maintained by the aviation industry as a whole.
According to Petersen, all airlines included in the top 25 are global leaders in aviation safety. This statement emphasizes that the list is not merely a ranking but also a representation of industry best practices.
In addition to recognition from Airline Ratings, Etihad Airways was also named one of Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite international airlines in 2025.
The airline is widely recognized for its consistent economy class comfort and luxurious service options for passengers seeking a premium flying experience.
The combination of safety, comfort, and service quality makes Etihad increasingly recognized in the global airline competition.
Safest Airlines List 2026
Here is a list of the ten safest full-service airlines for 2026, as assessed by Airline Ratings:
- Etihad Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Air New Zealand
- Singapore Airlines
- EVA Air
- Virgin Australia
- Korean Air
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific ranks second on the list. Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates complete the top five. Meanwhile, Air New Zealand, previously ranked at the top, dropped to sixth place in this year’s ranking.
In addition to the full-service category, Airline Ratings also released a list of the safest low-cost airlines. For 2026, HK Express secured the top spot. This airline, part of the Cathay Group, won the award for the second time.
HK Express’s achievements are driven by its modern fleet, very low incident rate, and near-perfect cabin safety audit results. These factors give the airline a distinct advantage over other low-cost carriers.
Safest Low-Cost Airlines 2026 List
Here is a list of the ten safest low-cost airlines for 2026:
- HK Express
- Jetstar Airways
- Scoot
- flydubai
- EasyJet Group
- Southwest
- airBaltic
- VietJet Air
- Wizz Air Group
- AirAsia Group
The 2026 list of the safest airlines demonstrates that global safety standards continue to improve, across both full-service and low-cost carriers. Airline Ratings’ rigorous and transparent assessments provide passengers with an objective perspective when choosing an airline that prioritizes safety.
About the Author
