Inside Etihad’s 25+ Award-Winning 2025: Safety, Service Excellence and Operational Performance

Etihad Airways (EY), the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is set to conclude 2025 by securing more than 25 international awards, spanning customer experience, safety, cabin design, and operational excellence.

The recognitions include honours from flagship industry institutions such as the World Travel Awards, the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), AirlineRatings.com, and the AirHelp Score, among others.

Etihad Airways at a glance

Etihad Nine-Month Financial Results 2025: Record Profit of US$463 Million and Rising Passenger Demand

2025 Award Haul Breakdown: Etihad’s Global Recognitions

Etihad’s awards in 2025 spanned multiple categories and institutions, signifying excellence at both global and regional levels. The carrier secured a Seven-Star Plus Safety Rating (AirlineRatings.com), making Etihad became only the fourth airline globally and the first in the Gulf region to achieve this highest safety rating. It was also recognized as a five-star carrier by passenger feedback.

Etihad also ranked #2 globally with an 8.07/10 score across on-time performance, claims processing and customer satisfaction. On the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of AirHelp (which is the organization that ranked the on-time performance), Tomasz Pawliszyn, said that Etihad’s overall score of 8.07, was “impressive“:

“Climbing nine places in a single year reflects the airline’s strong commitment to the passenger experience, especially regarding on-time performance and customer satisfaction. As the aviation landscape continues to evolve, the 2025 AirHelp Score shows which airlines are keeping pace with modern passenger expectations. Today’s travellers expect honesty, accountability, and reliability. We’re pleased to see Etihad setting such a strong example for the industry this year.”

The following are the awards the carrier won for its cabin product, comfort & onboard experience:

Etihad was also bestowed with the following awards that recognized its amenity kits, bedding, and onboard comfort accessories:

• Warner Bros. Superheroes Children’s Amenity Kit – PAX International Awards

• Warner Bros. Superheroes Children’s Amenity Kit (Passengers over six years) – TravelPlus Awards

• Limited-Edition First Class Amenity Kits (Gold) – Onboard Hospitality Awards

• Economy Self-Securing Blanket and Large Pillow – Onboard Hospitality Awards

Looking at the Other Industry Awards Secured by Etihad

In 2025, Etihad also secured the following awards:

Category	Award	Awarding Body
Safety & operational risk management	Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating	AirlineRatings.com
	5th Safest Full-Service Airline in the World	AirlineRatings.com
Cabin crew & inflight service delivery	Middle East’s Leading Airline Cabin Crew	Middle East World Travel Awards
	Best Cabin Crew	Business Traveler Middle East
Lounges & ground experience	World’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class	World Travel Awards
	Middle East’s Leading Airline Business Class Lounge	Middle East World Travel Awards
Inflight entertainment & digital experience	Middle East’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment	Middle East World Travel Awards
Catering & culinary excellence	Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East	Skytrax
Passenger satisfaction, performance & consumer trust	Second Place Globally – AirHelp Score 2025 (8.07/10)	AirHelp
Business resilience & continuity	Best Business Continuity Management Organization of the Year (GCC)	DRI ASEAN Awards
Customer centricity & B2B engagement	Customer Centricity in B2B (Middle East)	Customer Centricity World Series
Cargo operations & logistics innovation	Air Cargo Operator of the Year – Middle East	STAT Times International Awards
	Innovative Logistics Solutions in Air Cargo Award	STAT Times International Awards
Financial performance & strategic execution	Aviation 100 MRO Airline of the Year 2025	Airline Economics

According to Antonaldo, these awards:

“…..belong to every member of our team, from our award-winning cabin crew to our pilots, engineers, ground staff and support teams. Their passion for hospitality and commitment to our guests is what sets Etihad apart and drives us forward as we continue our growth to become the airline everyone wants to fly.”

Etihad’s operational and strategic developments in 2025

Etihad’s award success is part of broader strategic developments executed throughout 2025. Etihad continued expanding its destination footprint to more than 100 global destinations. Fleet enhancements included further integration of modern aircraft, contributing to improved performance metrics.

According to planespotters.net, Etihad has a current fleet of 122 aircraft, and these are 8.3 years old. This year, the carrier has taken delivery of more modern aircraft such as the Airbus A350, which is deployed in some of the longest one-stop (as well as longest non-stop) routes in the world. 

In Picture: 10 Of The Longest Non-stop Flights in the World

Aircraft Type	Quantity	Notes & Source
Airbus A321LR	1 (first of type)	Etihad took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in 2025, leased from AerCap, marking a major step in single-aisle long-range operations.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	2	Etihad received two Boeing 787 Dreamliners in July 2025 during its record delivery month.
Airbus A350-1000	1	One Airbus A350-1000 was delivered to the airline in July 2025.
Airbus A320ceo	1	Etihad also received one Airbus A320ceo in the same July 2025 delivery wave.

One of the more fuel-efficient aircraft among these are the Airbus A321LR, which have the following capabilities:

• Up to 6,300 kilometres of maximum reach, placing the aircraft firmly in the long-range single-aisle category.

• At least a 20 percent reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared with earlier-generation narrowbodies.

• Approximately 4,000 nautical miles of operational range, enabling nonstop services on thinner long-haul routes.

• Roughly 60 percent more overhead stowage capacity, enabled by the installation of extra-large cabin bins.

• Capability to operate on blends of up to 50 percent SAF under current certification standards.

• A target year of 2030 for achieving full compatibility with 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

New cabins and services — including expanded premium lounge offerings at Zayed International Airport (AUH) — distinguished Etihad’s product. Focus on digital connectivity and cabin comfort supported higher passenger satisfaction scores.

This comprehensive approach underpinned Etihad’s strong award performance across diverse categories.

Conclusion

Against a backdrop of fierce competition from carriers like Qatar Airways and Emirates – both of which are the busiest carriers in the Middle East – Etihad’s success across a spectrum of prestigious recognitions signifies both operational strength and strategic maturity. These accolades are testament to a deliberate focus on elevating aviation standards and enhancing travel experiences globally.