The world's safest airlines for the coming year have been announced in a major global assessment, with five carriers from the United States securing places in the prestigious top 25.
Global Leaders in Aviation Safety Announced
The independent aviation safety and product review website, Airline Ratings, has published its annual list of the world's 25 safest full-service and low-cost airlines for 2026. The comprehensive analysis examined 320 different carriers from around the globe to determine the leaders in operational safety.
In the full-service category, Etihad Airways, based in the United Arab Emirates, was crowned the safest airline worldwide. It was closely followed by Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific in second place and Australia's Qantas in third.
US Carriers Secure Key Positions
The ranking highlights a strong showing for American aviation. Alaska Airlines emerged as the highest-ranked US full-service carrier, taking the number 15 spot globally. It was joined in the top 25 by fellow US giants Delta Air Lines at number 23 and American Airlines at number 24.
The low-cost carrier category was topped by Hong Kong's HK Express. For US budget airlines, Southwest Airlines led the way, achieving an impressive global rank of number six. JetBlue also featured on the list, placed at number 14 worldwide.
Rigorous Safety Criteria
To compile the ranking, Airline Ratings' team of experts evaluated a wide range of safety metrics. A key focus was on whether an airline had experienced any serious incidents related to pilot performance. The analysts also scrutinised the number of fatal accidents over the past decade.
The assessment specifically excluded accidents caused by acts of terrorism, hijacking, pilot suicide, or incidents involving other airlines' aircraft, ensuring the ranking reflects core operational safety.
Commenting on the results, Airline Ratings CEO Sharon Petersen emphasised that every airline in the top 25 is a world leader in aviation safety. She cautioned against sensationalism, stating, "claims that one is significantly safer or less safe than another are both sensationalist and false."
The publication of this ranking on Monday 19 January 2026 provides travellers and industry observers with a crucial benchmark for the year ahead, underscoring the relentless focus on safety within global aviation.
