In 2025, Air New Zealand (NZ) once again claims the title of the safest airline in the world, narrowly edging out Qantas (QF), according to AirlineRatings.com.
This annual safety ranking highlights airlines with exceptional safety practices, rigorous pilot training, and modern fleets, helping travelers make informed decisions.
The list showcases significant developments, including new entrants, rising stars, and surprising omissions, reflecting the dynamic nature of airline safety standards worldwide.
Top 20 Safest Full-Service Airlines in the World
Airlines are evaluated based on a combination of critical factors, such as fleet age, pilot skill, safety protocols, fleet size, and the number of incidents.
These are the top 20 safest full-service airlines in the world:
1 | Air New Zealand | NZ |
2 | Qantas | QF |
3 | Cathay Pacific | CX |
3 | Qatar Airways | QR |
3 | Emirates | EK |
6 | Virgin Australia | VA |
7 | Etihad Airways | EY |
8 | ANA | NH |
9 | EVA Air | BR |
10 | Korean Air | KE |
11 | Alaska Airlines | AS |
12 | Turkish Airlines (THY) | TK |
13 | TAP Portugal | TP |
14 | Hawaiian Airlines | HA |
15 | American Airlines | AA |
16 | SAS | SK |
17 | British Airways | BA |
18 | Iberia | IB |
19 | Finnair | AY |
20 | Lufthansa/Swiss | LH/LX |
20 | JAL | JL |
20 | Air Canada | AC |
The margin between Air New Zealand (NZ) and Qantas (QF) was just 1.50 points. While both airlines excel in safety and pilot training, Air New Zealand’s younger fleet secured its top position.
The evaluation also included a unique three-way tie for third place among Cathay Pacific (CX), Qatar Airways (QR), and Emirates (EK). These airlines were indistinguishable in areas like fleet age, incident rates, and overall safety practices.
Notably, Iberia (IB) and Vietnam Airlines (VN) debuted on the list, while Korean Air (KE) ascended into the top 10. On the other hand, Singapore Airlines (SQ) and KLM (FR), despite maintaining excellent safety ratings, missed out due to specific incidents that affected their rankings.
Top 20 Safest Low-Cost Airlines in the World
1 | Hong Kong Express | UO |
2 | Jetstar Group | JQ |
3 | Ryanair | FR |
4 | easyJet | U2 |
5 | Frontier Airlines | F9 |
6 | AirAsia | AK |
7 | Wizz Air | W6 |
8 | VietJet Air | VJ |
9 | Southwest Airlines | WN |
10 | Volaris | Y4 |
11 | flydubai | FZ |
12 | Norwegian | DY |
13 | Vueling | VY |
14 | Jet2 | LS |
15 | Sun Country Airlines | SY |
16 | WestJet | WS |
17 | JetBlue Airways | B6 |
18 | Air Arabia | G9 |
19 | IndiGo | 6E |
20 | Eurowings | EW |
The 2025 list reflects notable changes, with Hong Kong Express (UO) rising to the top position. The airline’s exceptional safety record, free of significant incidents, has contributed to its remarkable standing. This year also saw the inclusion of Zipair (ZG), Jet2 (LS), and Air Baltic (BT) as new entrants.
However, Spirit Airlines (NK) was notably absent after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024, aiming to reorganize its finances and alleviate debt.
Insights into Airline Safety
A recent study revealed that between 2018 and 2022, the global death risk per flight boarding was approximately one in 13.7 million.
This statistic underscores the relative safety of flying compared to road travel, which accounted for 1.19 million fatalities globally in 2023, according to the World Health Organization.
Despite these encouraging figures, aviation incidents in December 2024 resulted in over 200 fatalities, highlighting the need for continued safety vigilance.
Rankings like these guide passengers toward the safest travel options while encouraging airlines to uphold high standards.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, maintaining rigorous safety protocols and modernizing fleets remain critical.
The inclusion of new airlines and the ascent of others signify positive developments, yet the competitive nature of safety rankings ensures no room for complacency.
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