AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only airline safety and product rating platform, has released its Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines and Top 25 Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2026, selected from the 320 carriers it actively monitors.
While compiling the rankings, CEO Sharon Petersen emphasized that the safety margins among the world’s leading airlines are extremely narrow, cautioning travelers not to view minor numerical differences as meaningful gaps in safety standards.
“What stands out this year is just how little separates the top performers. Fewer than four points divide airlines ranked first through 14, and the margins are even slimmer at the very top, with only 1.3 points separating positions one through six in the full-service category.
We may be reaching a stage where traditional rankings become misleading, and where grouping airlines into performance tiers offers a more accurate picture. Every airline in the Top 25 is a global leader in aviation safety, and suggestions that one is significantly safer or less safe than another are both sensationalist and inaccurate.”
“Much of our evaluation remains consistent year to year, factoring in incident rates adjusted for total flight numbers, fleet age, serious incidents, pilot training standards, and international safety audits. One notable change this year is a stronger focus on turbulence prevention, as turbulence continues to be the leading cause of in-flight injuries. As part of this assessment, we consider an airline’s participation in the IATA Turbulence Aware programme or an equivalent initiative, along with AirlineRatings’ onboard safety audits. Transparency from airlines also plays a crucial role in the evaluation process.”
The top 25 full-service airlines for 2026
- Etihad
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas
- Qatar
- Emirates
- Air New Zealand
- Singapore Airlines
- EVA Air
- Virgin Australia
- Korean Air
- STARLUX
- Turkish Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- ANA
- Alaska Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal
- SAS
- British Airways
- Vietnam Airlines
- Iberia
- Lufthansa
- Air Canada
- Delta2
- American Airlines3
- Fiji Airways
Commenting on changes to the World’s Safest Full-Service Airlines list for 2026, Petersen said:
“This marks the first time a Gulf carrier has claimed the top position. Etihad earned the number one ranking through a combination of factors, including a young fleet, enhanced cockpit safety—particularly in managing turbulence—a crash-free record, and the lowest incident rate per flight among all airlines on the list. The airline also took part in our independent onboard safety audit and demonstrated strong compliance with turbulence management practices in the cabin.”
“Other notable additions include STARLUX and Fiji Airways, both appearing on the list for the first time. While we typically avoid ranking relatively young airlines such as STARLUX, their commitment to safety and transparency is outstanding, and the fact that other leading carriers consistently speak highly of them is telling.
Another update that will be welcomed by our readers is the return of Singapore Airlines, which was excluded in 2025 following a serious turbulence-related incident. After visiting its safety and training center and holding in-depth discussions with the operations team, we are pleased to welcome the airline back to the list.”
The top 25 safest low-cost airlines for 2026
- HK Express
- Jetstar Airways
- Scoot
- flydubai (Now considered a full-service airline and will be assessed accordingly in future publications.)
- EasyJet Group
- Southwest
- airBaltic
- VietJet Air
- Wizz Air Group
- AirAsia Group4
- TUI UK
- Vueling
- Norwegian
- JetBlue
- FlyNAS
- Cebu Pacific
- Jet2
- Ryanair Ireland and UK5
- Spring Airlines China
- Transavia Group
- Eurowings Group
- Volaris6
- WestJet Group
- GOL
- SKY Airline Chile
In discussing the rankings for the world’s safest low-cost airlines*, Petersen said:
“Key changes this year include the addition of Spring Airlines China, the first Chinese carrier to feature in any of our rankings, and airBaltic, which has made a strong move into the top 10. HK Express secured the top position for the second time, supported by a modern fleet, an exceptionally low incident rate, and an almost flawless onboard safety audit. Given Hong Kong’s strict incident-reporting standards, this low incident rate and lack of serious incidents are a true reflection of a highly disciplined and well-managed operation.”
She added, “Overall, it is important to recognize that every airline on the 2026 list has recorded incidents over the past two years, ranging from tail strikes to onboard fires and engine shutdowns. However, the actual incident rate per flight across these airlines ranges from just 0.002 to 0.09, which is a genuine testament to the strength and maturity of the global aviation industry.”
In today’s aviation environment, where serious incidents are increasingly rare, inclusion in the Top 25 reflects more than excellence in aircraft and operational systems. It underscores the vital role of highly trained aircrew, strong safety culture, and robust risk management practices, reinforcing that modern aviation safety is defined by consistency, adaptability, and disciplined execution across millions of flights worldwide.