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.
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:
| Award | Awarding Body |
|---|---|
| World’s Leading Airline Economy Class | World Travel Awards |
| Middle East’s Leading Airline Economy Class | Middle East World Travel Awards |
| Best Economy Class | Business Traveller Middle East |
| Best in Seat Comfort Award in the Middle East | APEX / Future Travel Experience EMEA |
| Design Airline of the Year – Middle East | The Design Air |
| Best Cabin Interiors in the Middle East | PAX International Awards |
The carrier is also known for providing excellent passenger experience & services:
-
World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience – World Travel Awards
-
Middle East’s Leading Airline Customer Experience – Middle East World Travel Awards
-
Five-Star Global Airline Status for 2026 – APEX
-
Customer Experience Initiative of the Year – Aviation Business Middle East Awards
Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, Antonoaldo Neves, said that garnering so many awards was an “extraordinary recognition of our entire Etihad family’s passion and commitment to excellence”:
“……..these honours reflect our dedication to delivering exceptional experiences across every cabin, every route and every part of our guests’ journeys. What makes this recognition even more special is that we achieved it during our most ambitious growth year ever. Our people have continued raising the bar for customer service, safety and operational excellence while expanding our network, welcoming millions more guests, and bringing the world to Abu Dhabi.”
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
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.
.jpg){kind=link}
