Etihad dethrones rivals in world’s safest airlines 2026 list as turbulence gets more weight
ABU DHABI, Jan 15, 2026, 18:21 GST Etihad Airways has been named the world’s safest full-service airline for 2026, topping an annual ranking that put Cathay Pacific in second place and Qantas third. AirlineRatings.com said it was the first time a Gulf carrier had led its list. https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/which-airlines-are-safest-to-fly-in-2026-new-rankings-reveal-1.500409005 The ranking lands as airlines face sharper scrutiny over in-flight safety, including injuries linked to turbulence, and as carriers compete hard for premium travellers. Safety messaging is also showing up more often in marketing, especially on long-haul routes where passengers have options. Time Out, citing AirlineRatings, said 320 operators were evaluated using