The 20 most Covid-19 safety compliant airlines in the world: Emirates and Etihad make the cut

Airlineratings.com analysed the world's airlines to determine which comply best with international Covid-19 safety standards

Latvia's Air Baltic scored 7 out of 7 for its Covid-19 compliance rating by airlineratings.com. AAFP

Air New Zealand also ranked in the top 20. AFP

Alaska Airlines also took the top rating for Covid-19 compliance. Image courtesy Tomas Del Coro

Japan's All Nippon Airways made the cut. Reuters

Low-cost airline Air Asia is one of few budget airlines in the top 20. Bloomberg

British Airways scored big for its Covid-19 compliance. Airlines are scored out of seven categories by airlineratings.com. Reuters

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific also ranked in the top 20. Reuters

Delta Air Lines ranks as one of the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images

Emirates scored 7 out of 7 for its Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images

Etihad Airways also took the highest score. Courtesy Etihad

Taiwan's Eva Air was noted for its Covid-19 regulations. AFP

Japan Airlines ranked in the top 20 Covid-safe airlines.

JetBlue's Covid-19 policies held up to scrutiny. James Darcy / Airbus

The Netherlands' KLM also led the way in Covid-19 compliance. Courtesy KLM

Korean Air scoreed seven stars for implementing Covid-19 policies. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Germany's Lufthansa also ranked high for its policies to protect travellers against the coronavirus. Reuters

Singapore Airlines was listed in the top 20. AFP

Southwest Airlines from the US also made the cut. Reuters

Qatar Airways ranked in the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 compliance. AP

Westjet rounds out the top 20 airlines leading the way for Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images

Emirates and Etihad are among the top 20 airlines in the world when it comes to complying with international Covid-19 safety standards, according to airlineratings.com.

The UAE airlines were both awarded the top rating of seven stars by the safety and product-rating website.

A number of criteria were used to assess airlines for their adherence to Covid-19 standards. These include the availability of coronavirus guidance for travellers, social distancing measures, deep cleaning of aircraft, compulsory face masks, PPE for crew, the provision of sanitising kits for travellers and changes to in-flight meal services to cut down on social interaction.

Emirates scored 7 out of 7 to be listed among the top 20 Covid-19 safety compliant airlines in the world. Courtesy Emirates

To receive one star, an airline must adhere to at least four of these categories, says the website's editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Thomas. He added that the top 20 list represents the airlines that have been at the forefront of implementing Covid-19 safety policies.

Airlineratings.com was the first site of its kind to introduce airline Covid-19 ratings and monitors 430 carriers on a weekly basis.

“Now 119 airlines achieved the highest rating of seven stars but it is disappointing to see that 117 get a zero for compliance, or have no information for the public on their Covid-19 policies on their website,” said Mr Thomas.

The 20 most Covid-19 safety compliant airlines in the world:

Etihad requires 100 per cent of passengers to have a negative coronavirus test before flying. Courtesy Etihad

Air Baltic

Air New Zealand

Alaska Airlines

All Nippon Airways

AirAsia

British Airways

Cathay Pacific Airways

Delta Air Lines

Emirates

Etihad Airways

Eva Air

Japan Airlines

JetBlue

KLM

Korean Air

Lufthansa

Singapore Airlines

Southwest

Qatar Airways

WestJet

Emirates and Etihad's Covid-19 policies

Etihad requires all travellers to show a negative PCR test result at both departure and arrival in Abu Dhabi. The national airline of the UAE has also introduced Etihad Wellness Ambassadors on flights to assist passengers with coronavirus-related questions and advice.

Emirates provides all travellers with a complimentary hygiene kit and has also changed its premium offerings to ensure they are Covid-safe. This includes transforming the on-board bar on its A380 jets into a takeaway service and limiting shower spa services. The airline also offers an entirely comprehensive insurance policy to all travellers.

“Moving forward, airlines are looking at more initiatives, be it better cleaning systems or more flexibility to make changes to bookings," said Mr Thomas.

“Next on the horizon for passengers will be a phone app with vaccination details, a free Covid-19 test and passport all in one."