Summary
AirlineRatings.com released its 2026 list of the world's safest airlines. Etihad, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas are among the top-ranked, with Alaska Airlines being the top U.S. carrier. The rankings take into account factors like incident rates, fleet age, and turbulence prevention.
Key Facts
- AirlineRatings.com assessed 320 airlines for its 2026 safety rankings.
- Etihad, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas ranked among the top five safest full-service airlines.
- Alaska Airlines ranked highest among U.S. carriers, coming in 15th overall.
- Key safety factors include incident rates, fleet age, pilot training, and international audits.
- The organization added more emphasis on turbulence prevention for 2026.
- U.S. airlines Delta and American appeared in the top 25 at 23rd and 24th positions, respectively.
- Airlines with fewer than 25 aircraft were not considered for the low-cost carrier category.
- Spring Airlines China appeared in the rankings for the first time, and airBaltic moved into the top 10.
