Etihad Airways has wrapped up 2025 with a remarkable achievement, securing more than 25 prestigious international awards across various categories including customer experience, safety, design, and innovation. This stellar performance highlights the airline's dedication to operational excellence and exceptional service as it continues to strengthen its position in the global aviation industry.

Key Milestones for Etihad in 2025

Etihad made history by becoming the first Gulf airline to earn the Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating from Airline Ratings, marking a significant milestone as only the fourth airline globally to achieve this prestigious recognition. This honor underscores the airline's unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety and operational excellence.

The airline’s stellar year was further highlighted by three major wins at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Bahrain. Etihad took home titles for World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience, World’s Leading Airline Economy Class, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class, with the latter recognizing its Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Regional and Global Recognition

In addition to its global accolades, Etihad dominated at the Middle East World Travel Awards, where it won five regional titles, including Middle East’s Leading Airline in Customer Experience and Middle East’s Leading Airline in Economy Class. The airline was also lauded for Inflight Entertainment, its Business Class Lounge, and its Cabin Crew, which exemplified the professionalism and exceptional service provided by Etihad’s team.

At the same time, APEX awarded Etihad with Five-Star Global Airline status for 2026, recognizing it as one of the world’s elite carriers. The AirHelp Score 2025 placed Etihad second globally with an impressive 8.07 out of 10, a nine-place jump from the previous year.

Investment in Excellence

Etihad’s dedication to enhancing the customer experience is further demonstrated through its billion-dollar investments in fleet upgrades and service improvements. In 2025, the airline introduced the Airbus A321LR, offering lie-flat seating and premium service on mid-range routes, and continued to operate its iconic A380 aircraft, featuring The Residence, the only three-room suite in commercial aviation.

Etihad’s commitment to sustainability also played a role in its success, with eco-friendly designs and the introduction of biodegradable items and sustainable packaging on board. These initiatives reflect the airline’s dedication to making travel more environmentally responsible while enhancing the overall guest experience.

Excellence in Design and Service

Etihad’s excellence extends beyond operations and safety to include outstanding onboard design and catering. At the Skytrax World Airline Awards, Etihad won Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, further cementing its reputation for culinary excellence at 40,000 feet. The PAX International Awards also honored the airline for its children’s amenity kit, which features Warner Bros. Superheroes designs.

The airline’s design-forward approach was recognized with the Design Airline of the Year award by The Design Air, celebrating Etihad’s innovative approach to cabin interiors and service offerings.

Operational and Cargo Excellence

Etihad’s commitment to operational and business excellence was also acknowledged at the Aviation Business Middle East Awards, where it received the Customer Experience Initiative of the Year award. Meanwhile, the airline’s cargo division earned two honors at the STAT Times International Awards for Air Cargo Excellence, including Logistics Middle East’s Air Cargo Operator of the Year.

Looking Ahead

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed pride in the airline’s success, saying, "Winning over 25 international awards in a single year is extraordinary recognition of our entire Etihad family’s passion and commitment to excellence." He emphasized that these accolades reflect the airline’s ongoing growth, exceptional service, and the dedication of its team, which has driven Etihad to new heights in 2025.

Etihad’s success is a testament to the airline’s focus on providing unparalleled travel experiences, from the ground to the skies. As it moves forward into 2026, Etihad remains committed to raising the bar in aviation, continuing to bring the world to Abu Dhabi, and offering its guests world-class service and innovation.

2025 Awards Summary:

• Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating – Airline Ratings

• World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience – World Travel Awards

• World’s Leading Airline Economy Class – World Travel Awards

• World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class – World Travel Awards

• Middle East’s Leading Airline Customer Experience – Middle East World Travel Awards

• Middle East’s Leading Airline Economy Class – Middle East World Travel Awards

• Five-Star Global Airline Status – APEX

• Second Place Globally, AirHelp Score 2025 – AirHelp

• 5th Safest Full-Service Airline in the World – Airline Ratings

• Aviation 100 MAE Airline of the Year 2025 – Airline Economics

• Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East – Skytrax

• Best Cabin Crew – Business Traveller Middle East

• Best Economy Class – Business Traveller Middle East

• Best in Seat Comfort Award – APEX Future Travel Experience EMEA

• Design Airline of the Year Middle East – The Design Air

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

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA