Charting the Top Safest Airlines

Above the Clouds: Charting the World's Safest Airlines

Despite a landscape filled with more flights and passengers than ever, air travel continues to be an exceptionally secure form of transportation. The journey to this point has been one of continuous improvement, driven by technological innovation, stringent regulation, and a deep-seated industry focus on safety. From the dawn of the jet age to the sophisticated fly-by-wire aircraft of today, the evolution of aviation safety is a remarkable story of human ingenuity and commitment.

Independent bodies now provide passengers with detailed assessments of airline performance, offering a clearer picture of who leads in this critical field. These ratings, compiled through rigorous analysis of crash data, operational audits, and fleet age, offer valuable insight. While all major airlines operate under strict international standards, some consistently demonstrate a superior commitment to safety, setting benchmarks for the rest of the industry to follow.

The Science of Safety: How Airlines Are Judged

Evaluating an airline's safety performance is a complex, multi-faceted process. Agencies like AirlineRatings.com employ a seven-star system, meticulously analysing data from aviation's governing bodies, leading industry associations, and government sources. Key to this is the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a comprehensive assessment of an airline's management and control of its operations. Passing this audit, which covers over 1,000 parameters and is renewed every two years, is a fundamental indicator of a carrier's commitment to robust safety protocols.

Another critical element is a country's own aviation infrastructure and oversight, as audited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN body. The rating system also considers an airline's fatality record over the past decade, though it makes exceptions for acts of terrorism or other events deemed outside the airline's control. Fleet age is another significant factor, with a younger, more modern fleet generally viewed more favourably. These objective measures combine to create a trusted global benchmark for air travel safety.

A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of Air Safety

The history of aviation safety is a narrative of learning from tragedy and relentlessly pursuing technological and procedural advancement. In the mid-20th century, the advent of the jet engine revolutionised air travel, bringing faster speeds and greater reliability than the preceding piston-powered era. Innovations forged in the Second World War, such as radar and pressurised cabins, were adapted for commercial use, marking a new chapter in safety. The establishment of regulatory bodies like the ICAO in 1944 created a framework for international standards.

Fatal accident rates have consistently fallen decade after decade, a testament to this progress. The introduction of 'glass cockpits' with digital instruments in the 1970s and fly-by-wire technology in the 1980s significantly enhanced pilot control and situational awareness. Today, sophisticated systems like the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) provide real-time hazard alerts, further reducing risk. This ongoing evolution underscores the industry’s proactive, rather than reactive, approach to keeping the skies safe.

Air New Zealand: The New Pinnacle of Aviation Safety

For 2024 and 2025, Air New Zealand has secured the top position as the world's safest airline, according to the comprehensive analysis by AirlineRatings.com. This achievement marks a shift at the summit of aviation safety, displacing its long-standing rival, Qantas. The distinction, while narrow, was attributed primarily to the comparative youth of Air New Zealand's fleet. Experts acknowledge that while both airlines maintain impeccable safety standards and pilot training regimes, the modern composition of the Kiwi carrier's aircraft gives it a crucial edge.

This carrier functions in some of the world's most challenging weather conditions, navigating high winds and mountainous terrain, which makes its safety record even more impressive. This success is built on a foundation of rigorous pilot training, which includes extensive simulator sessions to prepare for any eventuality. Consistently ranked among the top carriers, Air New Zealand's ascent to the number one spot underscores its unwavering dedication to operational integrity and passenger security.

Qantas: The Spirit of Enduring Safety

Qantas Airways, the Australian national carrier, has long been a benchmark for airline safety, a reputation famously reinforced by the 1988 motion picture Rain Man, though the film's claim was inaccurate. While the claim of a crash-free history is a myth, the airline’s record in the jet age is exemplary. The carrier has maintained a record without a single passenger fatality on a commercial jet flight since 1952. This remarkable achievement is the bedrock of its global standing as a leader in aviation safety, consistently placing it at or near the top of annual rankings.

In recent years, Qantas has been narrowly edged out of the top spot by its trans-Tasman competitor, a change attributed largely to its comparatively older fleet. However, the carrier is in the midst of a significant fleet renewal program. This investment, coupled with its newly established Qantas Group Safety Academy, demonstrates a profound commitment to advancing safety culture not just internally, but across the entire industry. The academy will focus on critical areas like risk management, human factors, and data analytics.

A Closer Look at Qantas's Operational Record

The airline's historical safety record includes three fatal incidents in the period preceding jet-powered flight, all happening before 1951. Two of these situations saw airplanes go down in mountainous regions of New Guinea, resulting in four deaths. Another incident saw seven fatalities when a malfunctioning propeller led to a crash at sea. Several crashes also involved Qantas aircraft during the Second World War, when the airline was operating to support the Allied military.

Since the transition to an all-jet commercial fleet, its only major incident where a plane was destroyed took place in 1960; an airplane overran a runway and burned, which resulted in some injuries to travellers. More recently, in early 2025, a QantasLink Fokker 100 experienced an engine failure, prompting a landing under emergency conditions in Geraldton, Western Australia. The crew’s professional handling of the situation ensured a safe outcome, reinforcing the airline's reputation for operational excellence.

A Culture of Excellence: Qantas Pilot Training

At the heart of Qantas's safety record is a deep-seated commitment to world-class pilot and crew training. This carrier operates dedicated, purpose-built flight training centres in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which feature the latest full-flight simulators and advanced cabin mock-ups. These facilities train over 12,000 aircrew members annually, instilling a culture of safety and professionalism that exceeds both national and international regulatory requirements.

The curriculum is comprehensive, covering detailed theoretical knowledge and extensive practical instruction. A significant emphasis is placed on Human Factors training, which focuses on improving problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork to mitigate human error, a leading cause of aviation incidents. The expertise of the instructional staff, all of whom have extensive real-world experience flying for the Qantas Group, provides an invaluable layer of operational insight to the training programs.

Hawaiian Airlines: A Flawless Fatality Record

As a senior carrier in the United States, Hawaiian Airlines has a perfect record clear of any deadly incidents or hull-loss events. This impeccable safety record makes it a consistent feature in lists of the world's most secure airlines. From its hubs in Honolulu and Kahului, the carrier connects the Hawaiian islands and serving destinations across North America, Asia, and the Pacific.

Among the carrier's most legendary events is one from the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour. A Japanese bullet struck a Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, igniting a fire inside the cockpit. In a remarkable twist of fate, another stray bullet then hit the onboard fire extinguisher; it promptly activated and extinguished the flames. This event has become a part of the carrier's legendary commitment to survival and safety.

Hawaiian's Commitment to Crew Preparedness

Hawaiian Airlines' unblemished safety record is underpinned by an intensive and continuous training regimen for its flight attendants. The multi-week program is famously fast-paced, demanding dedication and focus from candidates who can be tested on entire training modules learned just the day before. Beyond technical knowledge of the aircraft, the training places a heavy emphasis on managing stress and responding effectively in high-pressure situations, from medical emergencies to security threats.

This rigorous preparation ensures that all crew members graduate with a unified base of knowledge, ready to respond swiftly and decisively to any event. The training includes hands-on drills for emergency evacuations, firefighting, and raft ditching exercises. All flight attendants must also complete recurrent training each year to ensure their skills and knowledge remain sharp, reinforcing the airline's core value of putting safety and security first.

Emirates: Gulf Giant with a Strong Safety Core

Dubai-based Emirates manages one of the largest and most active fleets globally, connecting continents with an extensive network scheduling over 3,600 flights weekly. The airline has maintained a record free of passenger fatalities from crashes. However, the carrier lost its first and only airframe in an August 2016 incident. Flight EK521, a Boeing 777, crash-landed at the Dubai International Airport and then caught fire after a failed go-around attempt.

All 300 individuals aboard, both travellers and staff, evacuated safely, a testament to the crew's training, though a firefighter tragically died in the subsequent blaze. The investigation found no mechanical issues with the aircraft, focusing instead on human performance factors during the critical landing phase. The final report recommended enhanced pilot training for go-arounds in close proximity to the runway, a recommendation Emirates proactively addressed.

Emirates' Technological Leap in Safety Training

In its continuous drive for safety excellence, Emirates has embraced cutting-edge technology. This carrier is investing heavily in virtual reality (VR) to train its nearly 23,000 cabin crew members. The MIRA platform provides an immersive learning environment, featuring photorealistic, fully modelled cabin interiors of its Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and the new A350 aircraft. This system allows crew to practice critical safety procedures, such as door operations and firefighting, in a hyper-realistic, yet completely safe, virtual setting.

In addition, the company has invested millions in advanced full-flight simulators for its pilots, including an industry-first Pilot Support System (PSS) developed in-house. This system enhances pre-flight briefings and allows for detailed debriefings by replaying recorded sessions. Furthermore, in response to recent global turbulence events, Emirates is equipping its fleet with new software that automatically shares turbulence data, helping pilots navigate around hazardous weather conditions more effectively.

Virgin Group: A Tale of Two Airlines, One Safety Record

Airlines operating under the Virgin brand, including both Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, boast an impressive safety history without any deadly accidents. Virgin Atlantic, which began its services in 1984, has a history that includes two notable incidents where aircraft were damaged but ultimately returned to service. The first happened in 1997. A flight departing Los Angeles had to make an emergency landing at Heathrow. The landing gear was stuck, and the incident caused damage to the runway and the plane's engines.

A second major incident happened in 2005 when a computer system failure prevented the transfer of fuel between tanks on a flight to Heathrow. This forced a diversion to Amsterdam and led to a recommendation that large aircraft be fitted with separate systems to warn about fuel levels. Virgin Australia, which began service in 2000, has also maintained a clean fatal-accident record. Both airlines are consistently ranked among the world's safest carriers.

Qatar Airways: A Leader in Gulf Aviation

Since its inception in 1994, Qatar Airways has grown into a global aviation powerhouse with an impeccable record free of deadly events. The airline has only had two aircraft written off throughout its operations, both due to fires on the ground during maintenance; one happened inside a hangar during 2007 and another took place in 2017. Its commitment to safety is reflected in its seven-star rating from AirlineRatings.com. The carrier has been a leading participant in the Oneworld group since joining in 2013.

The Doha-based carrier operates a fleet that is among the most youthful and modern in the sky, with an average aircraft age of just under six years. It serves a network of over 150 global destinations with a fleet of more than 220 aircraft. While consistently praised for safety and service, the airline has occasionally had a contentious relationship within the Oneworld alliance, with past threats to withdraw, though it currently remains a key member.

Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi's Standard of Safety

Etihad Airways, the second national airline of the UAE, has maintained a perfect record, with a history clear of deadly incidents or harm to its travellers since its founding in 2003. The airline has suffered only a single instance of losing an airframe during its history, and this happened on the ground before the plane was even delivered to the carrier. In 2007, an Airbus A350 undergoing testing at the manufacturer's facility in France broke free from its restraints and hit a barrier, injuring nine people.

Located in Abu Dhabi, Etihad manages a collection of over 110 airplanes, conducting over 1,000 services weekly to 74 locations around the globe. The carrier has a strong safety culture and, in a proactive move in 2024, inspected its A350 fleet following global concerns about a potential engine component issue, finding no faults. This commitment to proactive maintenance and operational excellence places Etihad firmly among the world's safest airlines.

Hainan Airlines: A Beacon of Safety in China

Hainan Airlines stands out as a leader in Chinese aviation, with a history free from any fatalities or hull-loss incidents. The airline, which began flying in 1993, has a strong safety record recognised by international bodies and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), from which it has received multiple flight safety awards. By early 2024, the airline had achieved a milestone of 10 million consecutive safe flight hours.

The carrier's history contains very few significant events. One involved an attempted hijacking in 2012. Onboard security thwarted the attempt, and no one was harmed. In another event from 2005, a plane used the wrong runway for its landing, causing substantial damage but no harm to passengers. With a young, modern fleet of over 230 planes, with additional aircraft on order, Hainan Airlines connects over 110 destinations.

EVA Air: Taiwan's Pillar of Consistency

The Taiwanese carrier EVA Air has built a formidable reputation for safety and reliability since launching in 1991. The carrier's record is free of passenger fatalities or lost aircraft. This exceptional record has earned it a top classification of five stars from Skytrax and consistent placement among the world's safest airlines. As a member of the Star Alliance network, EVA Air operates a modern fleet of over 70 aircraft serving a network of over 60 locations, departing from its main base in Taipei.

The airline's history includes only minor events. One involved an airplane striking runway lights, and another saw a plane's tail clipped while taxiing. In a notable 2015 event, a warning about a potential security risk was made against a flight headed to Los Angeles. The aircraft touched down without incident and was subsequently searched by the FBI, but the alarm was determined to be false. This incident highlighted the crew's calm and professional response under pressure.

Ryanair: The Low-Cost Giant with a High Safety Bar

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has grown to become Europe's largest airline by passenger volume, all while maintaining a record clear of any deadly accidents since it began flying in 1984. The airline's 'no-frills' model has revolutionised air travel, making it accessible to millions. Despite its budget focus, Ryanair's safety record is strong, consistently placing it among the safest low-cost carriers.

The airline's most serious incident occurred in 2008 when a service originating in Frankfurt and bound for Rome suffered a multiple bird strike on approach. The event damaged both engines, and the landing gear collapsed upon landing, resulting in minor injuries for eight travellers and two crew members. The aircraft was later declared a total loss. Notably, Ryanair does not hold an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, which affects its star rating on some evaluation platforms.

EasyJet: Britain's Budget Carrier with a Clean Record

EasyJet, another titan of the European low-cost airline market, has also achieved an exemplary safety record. The British carrier has a record clear of any deadly accidents or major collisions that would destroy an aircraft since its founding in 1995. This strong performance has earned it a high safety rating and a position as one of the world's top low-cost airlines. This carrier manages a collection of over 300 Airbus airplanes, flying to more than 130 destinations across the globe.

The most notable event in EasyJet's history took place in 2003. During taxiing on a slippery runway in Amsterdam, the captain lost control of the aircraft, which then struck a lamppost. The plane sustained damage, but no one was seriously injured. Like its rival Ryanair, EasyJet has built its success on an economy-class, no-frills model, proving that low fares do not have to come at the expense of high safety standards.