Etihad Airways Closes 2025 with More Than 25 International Awards
Etihad Airways concluded 2025 with recognition across more than 25 international award programmes, spanning safety, customer experience, cabin products, catering, operations, and cargo services.
Among the year’s milestones, Etihad became the first airline in the region and the fourth globally to receive the Seven-Star Plus Safety Rating from Airline Ratings, reflecting performance across safety and operational criteria.
At the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony held in Bahrain, the airline received three global titles: World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience, World’s Leading Airline Economy Class, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class, for its Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport.
In October, Etihad was recognised at the Middle East World Travel Awards with five regional awards, including Leading Airline in Customer Experience and Economy Class, as well as awards for Inflight Entertainment, Business Class Lounge, and Cabin Crew.
Etihad was awarded Five-Star Global Airline status for 2026 by APEX. The AirHelp Score 2025 ranked the airline second globally with a score of 8.07 out of 10, based on punctuality, customer feedback, and claims handling. Airline Ratings also placed Etihad among the top five safest full-service airlines worldwide. In addition, Airline Economics named Etihad Aviation the 100 MAE Airline of the Year 2025 at Growth Frontiers Dubai.
Product and Customer Experience
In 2025, Etihad continued to invest in its fleet and onboard offering, including the introduction of the Airbus A321LR, which features lie-flat seating on mid-range routes. Its Airbus A380 fleet continues to operate with The Residence, a three-room cabin product.
Skytrax recognised Etihad for Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, while Business Traveller Middle East awarded the airline for Best Cabin Crew and Best Economy Class. APEX Future Travel Experience EMEA presented Etihad with the Best in Seat Comfort Award in the Middle East, and The Design Air named the airline Design Airline of the Year Middle East.
The airline’s cabin products and amenity kits were also recognised by PAX International Awards, TravelPlus Awards, and the Onboard Hospitality Awards, including awards for children’s amenity kits, cabin interiors, and First Class and Economy onboard comfort items.
Operational and Cargo Recognition
Etihad received the Customer Experience Initiative of the Year award at the Aviation Business Middle East Awards. The DRI ASEAN Awards named the airline Best Business Continuity Management Organisation of the Year for the GCC region.
Etihad Cargo was recognised at the Customer Centricity World Series for Customer Centricity in B2B in the Middle East. The STAT Times International Awards for Air Cargo Excellence honoured the cargo division with Air Cargo Operator of the Year – Middle East and the Innovative Logistics Solutions in Air Cargo Award.
Leadership Perspective
Commenting on the achievements, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the awards reflect the efforts of teams across the organisation, covering safety, service delivery, and operational performance during a year of network growth and increased passenger volumes.
2025 Awards Overview
Etihad’s 2025 recognitions include safety ratings, global and regional airline awards, cabin service and design honours, customer experience awards, and cargo and business continuity recognitions, marking a year of broad industry acknowledgement across multiple aspects of the airline’s operations.
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