The 2021 safest airlines ratings were recently released. Qantas Airways retains the top spot, and U.S. carriers make a comeback. Budget airline Vietjet reaches new heights.
The COVID-19 crisis continues to hit the airline industry with financial losses as travel restrictions tighten. Airline safety is more important than ever when it comes to travel in this pandemic.
The “Spirit of Australia” continues to soar despite the crisis! Qantas remains the world’s safest airline, based on Airline Safety Ratings from 2014 to 2021 (except 2018).
Qatar Airways emerges as the runner-up. Air New Zealand drops to the third spot from second in 2020. British Airways is back on the top 20 list, landing on the 10th spot.
U.S. Carriers Make a Comeback
American Airlines, and United Airlines are also back in the top 20 rankings this year. They were on the list for 2019, but not 2020.
Other American carriers on the list are Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. American carriers have certainly been well-rated for safety this year.
The Top 2021 Safest Airlines are chosen from 385 different airlines that AirlinesRatings.com monitors. Airline Safety Ratings is the only airline rating that includes safety, product and COVID-19 ratings.
According to AirlineRatings.com, the firm’s editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said “these airlines are standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation, and launching of new aircraft“.
Top 20 Safest International Airlines in Numerical Order
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- EVA Air
- Etihad Airways
- Alaska Airlines,
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- British Airways
- Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- SAS
- Finnair
- Lufthansa
- KLM
- United Airlines
Related: World’s Safest Airlines: Oceania Carriers Took Top Spots in 2020
In the low-cost carrier category, Air Arabia retains the top spot. The carriers which were not on the 2020 top 10 budget carrier list were runner-up Allegiant Air and in third place, Easyjet.
Vietjet, Vietnam’s first privately-owned airline made the top 10 list at number eight. The carrier serves over 30 destinations spanning 12 countries.
In a pandemic when airlines are facing enormous financial challenges to stay afloat, this carrier is flying high – with expansion to their cargo business and incentives to keep their passengers coming back.
Top 10 Safest Budget Airlines in Numerical Order
- Air Arabia
- Allegiant Air
- Easyjet
- Frontier
- Jetstar Group
- Jetblue
- Ryanair
- Vietjet
- Westjet
- Wizz
Worst Ranked Airlines for Safety
Below are the airlines ranked for their worst safety records and where they are based.
- Pakistan International Airlines (Pakistan)
- Air Algerie (Algeria)
- Scat (Kazakhstan)
- Airblue (Pakistan)
- Blue Wing (Suriname)
- Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran)
- Nepal Airlines (Nepal)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia)
- UTair (Russia)
- Afriqiyah (Libya)
AirlineRatings.com evaluation is based on factors including: audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies; government audits; airline’s crash and serious incident record; profitability, industry-leading safety initiatives, and fleet age.
