AirlineRatings.com has released its highly anticipated 2026 rankings, naming Etihad Airways as the world’s safest full-service carrier and HK Express as the top low-cost airline. This year’s evaluation of 320 global airlines placed a significant new emphasis on turbulence prevention alongside traditional metrics like fleet age, incident history, and pilot expertise. The 2026 list highlights a historic shift as Etihad becomes the first Gulf carrier to secure the number one spot, leading a group of elite airlines that maintain exceptionally high safety standards through rigorous audits and advanced cockpit technology.
