Each year, AirlineRatings.com — a respected aviation safety evaluator — publishes a list of the world’s safest airlines based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including incident history, fleet age, pilot training, international safety audits, turbulence prevention measures, and much more. In 2026, the site ranked 320 global carriers and highlighted the Top 25 full-service and Top 25 low-cost airlines in terms of safety excellence.
While global carriers such as Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Qatar Airways dominated the top positions, several U.S. airlines made the cut — a strong reflection of the country’s advanced aviation infrastructure and rigorous regulatory oversight. When I say they made the cut, no USA airline made the top 10. While we are good, we are not great.
USA Full-Service U.S. Airlines in the 2026 Safety Rankings
Three major U.S. carriers appeared in the list of the Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2026 — a noteworthy achievement given the global competition:
- Alaska Airlines – Ranked #15
Alaska Airlines was the highest-placed U.S. carrier on the full-service safety list. The airline earned its spot due to strong operational performance, a good safety record, and participation in key safety audits. - Delta Air Lines – Ranked #23
A stalwart of U.S. aviation, Delta continued its tradition of prioritizing safety and training. It ranked toward the lower end of the Top 25 global list, but still firmly within the world’s safest full-service airlines. - American Airlines – Ranked #24
American Airlines also made the cut, demonstrating consistent safety practices and adherence to stringent international and U.S. regulatory standards.
Including three U.S. carriers among the top 25 full-service operators underscores that American airlines remain competitive on the global safety stage, even if they don’t feature near the very top of the ranking.
USA Low-Cost U.S. Airlines on the Safety List
In the low-cost carrier category, which also includes 25 global airlines, a couple of U.S. names stood out:
- Southwest Airlines – Ranked within the Top 25 low-cost carriers, Southwest’s inclusion highlights its solid safety infrastructure and low incident record — valuable metrics for travelers choosing budget-friendly flights.
- JetBlue Airways – Also appearing in the low-cost rankings, JetBlue earned recognition alongside many international peers for its safety efforts.
Together, these U.S. low-cost carriers showed that safe flying doesn’t have to come with a steep price tag, reinforcing strong regulatory and operational standards across domestic budget airlines.
What This Means for You
While none of the U.S. airlines topped the overall global safety rankings in 2026 (a spot claimed by Etihad Airways for the first time), the presence of American carriers in both the full-service and low-cost lists is significant. These rankings are not just about a perfect safety record — they reflect:
- Robust oversight by the FAA and international bodies
- Continuous investments in training and technology
- Strong compliance with global audit and safety reporting standards
For travelers, this means that flying with these U.S. carriers in 2026, whether domestically or internationally, aligns with the highest global safety benchmarks currently recognized in commercial aviation.