The Safest Airlines to Fly With in 2026

January 14, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1768390830396-1924

Etihad Takes Top Spot Among Full-Service Carriers, HK Express Leads Low-Cost Airlines

AirlineRatings.com has released its list of the top 25 safest airlines for 2026, with Etihad Airways taking the top spot among full-service carriers. HK Express led low-cost airlines for a second time, driven by a modern fleet and exceptionally low incident rate. The website studied 320 airlines and considered factors such as incident rates, fleet age, pilot training, and international safety audits.

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Key Takeaways

AirlineRatings.com listed the top 25 safest airlines for 2026.
Etihad Airways claimed the top spot among full-service carriers.
HK Express took the top spot for low-cost airlines for a second time.

Etihad Airways AirlineRatings.com HK Express

Strategic Implications

This ranking may indicate a growing emphasis on aviation safety, with all airlines in the Top 25 being world leaders. The narrow margins between safety ratings suggest that small differences should not be exaggerated. The focus on turbulence prevention and adherence to safety audits could influence industry standards.