Etihad Airways caps 2025 with more than 25 global aviation awards
Global accolades span safety, cabins, lounges and service, led by Airline Ratings, APEX and World Travel Awards
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways has closed 2025 on a high note, collecting more than 25 international aviation awards across customer experience, safety, design and operational excellence.
The achievements cap a year marked by rapid growth, expanded capacity and a milestone in passenger numbers, with more than 20 million travellers carried for the first time in the airline’s history.
The national airline of the UAE secured recognition from some of the industry’s most respected global bodies, reinforcing its positioning as a key player in international aviation and a major contributor to Abu Dhabi’s growing profile as a global travel hub. The awards span every stage of the guest journey, from cabin interiors and onboard catering to lounges, punctuality and business resilience.
Safety first
A defining moment of Etihad’s 2025 awards run came with its inclusion among a small group of carriers worldwide to achieve the Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating from Airline Ratings. Etihad became only the fourth airline globally, and the first in the Gulf region, to receive the highest distinction under the organisation’s safety assessment framework.
In parallel, Airline Ratings also placed Etihad among the world’s top five safest full-service airlines, reflecting its strong performance in operational safety, pilot training and fleet management. The recognition came during a year of accelerated growth, underlining the airline’s focus on maintaining rigorous standards while scaling operations.
World titles
Etihad secured three major global titles at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony held in Bahrain earlier this month. The airline was named World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience and World’s Leading Airline Economy Class, while its Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport received the title of World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class.
Closing 2025 on an award high with 25+ international awards!
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) December 23, 2025
Proud to be the 4th airline globally and 1st in the Gulf to achieve the Seven-Star Plus Safety Rating (Airline Ratings). From world-leading customer experience to cabin excellence, thank you for flying with us.
Read… pic.twitter.com/pzbkkF6dyv
At a regional level, the Middle East World Travel Awards in October delivered five wins for Etihad. These included Middle East’s Leading Airline for Customer Experience and Economy Class, alongside awards for Best Inflight Entertainment, Best Business Class Lounge and Best Cabin Crew. The cabin crew accolade highlighted the airline’s frontline teams and their role in delivering consistent service across its network.
Global rankings
Etihad’s performance in independent global rankings further strengthened its award tally. The airline was named a Five Star Global Airline for 2026 by APEX, placing it within a select group recognised for high standards in service and product quality.
AirHelp’s 2025 global airline ranking placed Etihad second worldwide with a score of 8.07 out of 10, representing a nine-place improvement compared with the previous year. The ranking assessed punctuality, customer satisfaction and claims processing across more than 60 countries, with Etihad’s results reflecting strong operational reliability during a period of expansion.
Industry recognition also came from Airline Economics, which named Etihad Aviation 100 Middle East and Africa Airline of the Year 2025 at the Growth Frontiers Dubai event.
Product investment
The awards coincide with sustained investment across Etihad’s product and fleet. In 2025, the airline introduced the Airbus A321LR, bringing lie-flat seating and a premium long-haul-style experience to mid-range routes. The aircraft represents a shift in narrowbody travel, offering enhanced comfort on regional and medium-haul services.
Etihad’s Airbus A380 fleet continues to feature The Residence, the only three-room suite available in commercial aviation. The product remains a flagship offering within the airline’s premium portfolio and a point of distinction in the global market.
Operating from Zayed International Airport, Etihad benefits from facilities that have gained international recognition in their own right. The airport’s lounges, terminal layout and passenger services form a central part of the airline’s end-to-end travel proposition.
Cabin design
Multiple awards in 2025 focused on cabin design, onboard comfort and amenity innovation. Skytrax named Etihad the winner of Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, highlighting its culinary standards at altitude. Business Traveller Middle East awarded the airline Best Cabin Crew and Best Economy Class, recognising service delivery across different travel classes.
Design-led accolades included APEX Future Travel Experience EMEA’s Best in Seat Comfort Award in the Middle East and The Design Air’s Design Airline of the Year Middle East. Etihad also received recognition from PAX International Awards for its Warner Bros. Superheroes children’s amenity kit and its cabin interiors, while the same children’s kit was honoured at the TravelPlus Awards for passengers aged over six.
The Onboard Hospitality Awards presented gold awards for Etihad’s limited-edition First Class amenity kits, created to mark the airline’s 20th anniversary, as well as for its Economy Self Securing Blanket and large pillow designed to improve comfort on long-haul flights.
Business strength
Beyond passenger services, Etihad’s broader operations were recognised across business and cargo categories. The Aviation Business Middle East Awards named Etihad’s Customer Experience Initiative of the Year, while the DRI ASEAN Awards honoured the airline as Best Business Continuity Management Organisation of the Year for the GCC.
Etihad Cargo secured the Customer Centricity in B2B award for the Middle East at the Customer Centricity World Series. The cargo division also received two honours at the STAT Times International Awards for Air Cargo Excellence, including Logistics Middle East’s Air Cargo Operator of the Year and the Innovative Logistics Solutions in Air Cargo Award.
Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said winning more than 25 international awards in a single year reflected the commitment of the airline’s workforce across all departments. He noted that the recognition was achieved during Etihad’s most ambitious growth phase, as the carrier expanded its network, welcomed millions of additional guests and strengthened Abu Dhabi’s global connectivity.