3 Gulf airlines rank among world’s safest in 2026

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Gulf carriers dominate top five safest ratings

Three leading Gulf carriers have been named among the world’s five safest airlines for 2026, with UAE national airline Etihad taking top spot, the first time a Gulf carrier has claimed the number-one position in the global safety review, according to the latest rankings from AirlineRatings.com.

Qatar Airways secured fourth place, followed by Dubai-based Emirates in fifth, while Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Australia’s Qantas took second and third, respectively, with Asia-Pacific carriers dominating the rest of the top 10.

AirlineRatings attributed Etihad’s top ranking to a combination of factors, including its young and technologically advanced fleet, continuous improvements in cockpit safety – particularly in turbulence detection and avoidance – an immaculate crash-free history and an exceptionally low incident rate per flight.

Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings, noted that Etihad also excelled in the site’s independent on-board audit, adding that the airline “demonstrated strong adherence to in-cabin turbulence management procedures”.

Etihad A330

Commenting on the recognition, Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said he was “incredibly proud” to receive one of the industry’s most respected safety accolades from a globally recognised independent organisation. “As the first Gulf carrier to achieve this position, it reflects the strength of our safety culture, the dedication of our people and the aviation excellence of our region,” he said.

The achievement comes as Gulf carriers continue to invest heavily in next-generation aircraft and safety systems. During Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates and Etihad jointly placed orders for more than 500 commercial and cargo aircraft valued at nearly AED 420 billion, further modernising their fleets with fuel-efficient models.

In the budget airline category, Flydubai also earned recognition, ranking fourth and standing as the only regional low-cost carrier to make the global top 10.

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AirlineRatings assesses airlines based on several criteria, including major incidents recorded over the past two years, fleet age and size, fatality records, and crew training standards. Petersen noted that competition remains exceedingly close among the world’s leading airlines.

“Less than four points covered positions one through 14,” she said, adding that “only 1.3 points separated the top six full-service airlines”. Petersen suggested that the industry may be nearing a threshold “where traditional rankings risk being misleading”, explaining that all airlines in the top 25 “are world leaders in aviation safety, and claims that one is significantly safer or less safe than another are both sensationalist and false.”