World's Safest Airlines for 2026 Revealed: Five US Carriers Make Top 25

The world's safest airlines for the coming year have been officially named in a highly regarded annual study, with five major US carriers securing places among the global elite. The rankings, compiled by the independent aviation safety website Airline Ratings, assess a total of 320 airlines worldwide before distilling them into separate lists of the top 25 safest full-service and low-cost operators.

US Carriers Secure Their Positions in Global Safety Ranking

In the full-service category, Alaska Airlines emerges as the highest-rated US carrier, achieving a global rank of number 15. It places ahead of fellow American giants Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, which follow closely at number 23 and number 24 globally, respectively.

The low-cost sector also sees strong US representation. Southwest Airlines leads the American contingent at an impressive number 6 in the global low-cost ranking. It is followed by JetBlue Airways, which claims the number 14 spot.

How Are the World's Safest Airlines Chosen?

The selection process is rigorous and multi-faceted. Airline Ratings analysts scrutinise several critical safety and operational criteria to compile their lists. A key focus is on whether an airline has experienced any serious incidents related to pilot error over the past decade. The analysis also examines the number of fatal accidents within that timeframe, though it excludes accidents resulting from terrorism, hijacking, pilot suicide, or those involving other carriers.

Furthermore, the website investigates how each airline has performed in internationally recognised safety audits, adding another layer of objective assessment to the evaluation. This comprehensive methodology ensures the rankings reflect a holistic view of an airline's safety culture and operational integrity.

The Global Leaders in Aviation Safety for 2026

Topping the prestigious full-service list for 2026 is UAE-based Etihad Airways. It is followed in second place by Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, with Australia's renowned Qantas taking third. The remainder of the top ten is comprised of Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Virgin Australia, and Korean Air.

In the low-cost arena, Hong Kong's HK Express secures the number one position. The top five is completed by Jetstar Airways (number 2), Scoot (number 3), Flydubai (number 4), and European giant easyJet (number 5).

Sharon Petersen, the CEO of Airline Ratings, emphasised a crucial point for travellers interpreting the results. She noted that the margins separating the airlines on the list are extremely narrow. "What stands out this year is how little separates the leaders," Petersen explained. "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."

The full list of the top 25 safest full-service airlines for 2026 is: