Two major Singapore-based carriers secured top-ten placements in the authoritative global aviation safety assessment for 2026, signaling the city-state’s continued reputation as a hub for reliable air travel. Low-cost operator Scoot clinched the third-safest global ranking among budget competitors, while flagship carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) earned the seventh spot in the full-service category, according to the latest annual findings released by the respected rating platform, Airline Ratings.
The comprehensive evaluation scrutinized the operational integrity of 320 airlines worldwide, excluding small carriers operating fewer than 25 aircraft. Safety criteria spanned several vital components, including historical incident data, fleet modernity, operational fatalities, and rigorous adherence to international safety protocols established by bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Scoot Ranks Highest in Southeast Asia
For budget travelers prioritizing security alongside savings, Scoot’s performance is particularly reassuring. The SIA subsidiary secured the third position globally, placing it immediately behind Hong Kong’s HK Express and Australia’s Jetstar. This achievement makes Scoot the top-ranked Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) airline on the low-cost list. Another notable Southeast Asian representative was AirAsia Group, which landed in tenth place. Scoot’s reappearance near the top of the standings follows its inclusion in the unranked list of the top 25 safest carriers in 2023.
Top 10 Safest Low-Cost Airlines, 2026
- HK Express
- Jetstar Australia
- Scoot
- FlyDubai
- EasyJet Group
- Southwest Airlines
- AirBaltic
- Vietjet Air
- Wizz Air Group
- AirAsia Group
SIA Maintains Strong Safety Record Amid Challenges
In the full-service domain, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways was declared the world’s safest airline for 2026, followed closely by Cathay Pacific and Qantas. Singapore Airlines, renowned for its service and operational quality, secured a robust seventh place globally.
SIA’s consistent presence on this list underscores its enduring commitment to operational safety. Since 2014, the carrier has been a recurring fixture, placing fourth in 2022 and fifth in 2023. The carrier briefly slipped in the 2025 assessment following the unfortunate SQ321 incident involving severe turbulence in May 2024, which resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. Despite those isolated challenges, the 2026 ranking confirms SIA’s swift return to elite safety standards globally.
Top 10 Safest Full-Service Airlines, 2026
- Etihad Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Air New Zealand
- Singapore Airlines
- Eva Air
- Virgin Australia
- Korean Air
Context for Anxious Flyers: Air Travel Remains Secure
For individuals experiencing anxiety about flying, these rankings provide significant evidence confirming the exceptional safety of commercial aviation. Despite media focus on rare incidents, statistics consistently reinforce air travel as the statistically safest method of long-distance transport.
The IATA’s 2024 Annual Safety Report, released in early 2025, recorded a remarkably low accident rate of merely 1.13 per million flights. Furthermore, the risk of a fatality remained negligible at 0.06 per million flights. These figures reaffirm that air safety monitoring, audits, and operational training protocols continue to deliver near-perfect reliability, providing peace of mind for passengers choosing carriers like those based in Singapore.
Readers can find the full methodology and ranking details on the Airline Ratings website. For those planning future travel, choosing an airline with a proven, top-tier safety track record—as affirmed by these latest rankings—adds an invaluable layer of security to the journey.