Vietnam Airlines ranks among world’s top 25 safest airlines for 2026

The rankings assessed 320 airlines worldwide, placing Vietnam Airlines among a distinguished group that includes Emirates, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.

The recognition underscores the national flag carrier’s steady progress in safety standards and operational performance.

Evaluations are based on rigorous criteria, including incident rates relative to flight numbers, fleet age, serious safety events, pilot training programs, and comprehensive safety audits.

This year, AirlineRatings placed particular emphasis on turbulence prevention, a leading cause of passenger injuries.

To address these risks, Vietnam Airlines employs advanced weather forecasting and monitoring systems that analyze multiple meteorological factors alongside local terrain.

This allows the airline to optimize flight operations and issue timely alerts to pilots, minimizing the impact of turbulence on passenger safety.

Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings, highlighted Vietnam Airlines’ continued improvement, citing the carrier’s 19th position on the 2026 list of the world’s safest full-service airlines.

She said the ranking reflects consistent progress across multiple areas, including fleet quality, safety systems, industry audit results, very low incident rates, and operational reliability, rather than any single factor.

Petersen also noted that Vietnam’s aviation safety oversight has been strengthened through ICAO evaluations, benefiting both domestic carriers and international airlines operating to and from Vietnam.

Dinh Van Tuan, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, stated that building a strong safety culture is the cornerstone of sustainable aviation.

He noted that the airline regularly conducts risk assessments, invests in advanced technology, enhances staff training, and refines operational procedures to meet international standards.

Tuan added that remaining among the top 25 safest full-service airlines in 2026 demonstrates the carrier’s ability to compete on the global stage.

“With robust safety, quality, and governance systems, Vietnam Airlines continues to connect Vietnam to the world while projecting a reliable and professional image of our country,” he stated.

Vietnam Airlines is a leading carrier in Southeast Asia, operating 107 routes to 22 domestic destinations and 37 international destinations across 21 countries.

Its modern fleet, which includes Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, Airbus A321, and Airbus A320neo aircraft, ranks among the most fuel-efficient in the region.

The airline became the first Southeast Asian carrier to join the SkyTeam alliance in 2010.

Vietnam Airlines was also the first Vietnamese airline to receive the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2006, and it has maintained the certification continuously since.

The carrier’s Safety Management System, established in 2007, meets the highest international standards and has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam as a model for other domestic carriers.

In 2023, IATA selected Vietnam Airlines to host the World Safety and Operations Conference, highlighting the airline’s influence and Vietnam’s growing prominence in global aviation.

With a modern fleet and a strong commitment to innovation, Vietnam Airlines has received many prestigious awards, including the top 25 safest and top 20 best airlines rankings for 2025 from AirlineRatings, a five-star international rating from APEX for 2023–24, and consecutive four-star ratings from Skytrax.

AirlineRatings.com remains a globally trusted source for airline safety and service information, with its rankings and research widely regarded as authoritative benchmarks, comparable in influence to Skytrax awards.