Top safest airlines for your next flight, why they are trusted, and how they ensure secure flights worldwide
When you book a flight, safety is probably the most important thing on your mind—but do you know which airlines top the list for being the safest? While most passengers are aware of the basics, few realize how much goes into determining which airlines truly keep you out of harm’s way.
Each year, AirlineRatings.com releases its rankings for the safest full-service and low-cost airlines. For 2025, the competition was fierce, with tiny margins separating the leaders.
So, Who’s Number One?
Air New Zealand claims the crown for the safest full-service airline, just edging out Qantas by 1.5 points. Air New Zealand stands out not only for its stellar safety standards and pilot training. The flag carrier’s fleet is among the youngest in the world.
It’s a subtle but significant detail that boosts its safety rating. Qantas, though a close runner-up, is a veteran of the skies with a fleet that’s slightly older, which helped the Kiwi airline take the top spot. Both carriers kept their rankings from last year.
Following closely behind are Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, who tied for third place in what AirlineRatings called an “impossible to separate” battle. These airlines excel in pilot training, fleet size, and safety practices, making them frequent flyers in the safety rankings.
A notable change this year includes the rise of Korean Air into the top 10, while the list also welcomed Iberia and Vietnam Airlines for the first time.
However, it wasn’t all good news—Singapore Airlines and KLM fell just short of making the cut, despite maintaining their seven-star safety ratings.
Top 20 Safest Full Service Airlines for 2025
- Air New Zealand
- Qantas
- Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates
- Virgin Australia
- Etihad Airways
- ANA
- EVA Air
- Korean Air
- Alaska Airlines
- Turkish Airlines (THY)
- TAP Portugal
- Hawaiian Airlines
- American Airlines
- SAS
- British Airways
- Iberia
- Finnair
- Lufthansa/Swiss
- JAL
- Air Canada
In the low-cost category, Hong Kong Express soared to the top spot for its flawless safety record. It’s a remarkable achievement for an airline that didn’t even make it to the top 20 rankings in 2024.
Other top low-cost names include Jetstar, Ryanair, and easyJet. Ryanair, with its large fleet and consistent safety measures, continues to hold a strong position despite its budget pricing.
Top 20 Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2025
- Hong Kong Express
- Jetstar Group
- Ryanair
- easyJet
- Frontier Airlines
- AirAsia
- Wizz Air
- VietJet Air
- Southwest Airlines
- Volaris
- flydubai
- Norwegian
- Vueling
- Jet2
- Sun Country Airlines
- WestJet
- JetBlue Airways
- Air Arabia
- IndiGo
- Eurowings
Related: Safest Airlines of 2024: What the Rankings Reveal and Key Influences
How Does AirlineRatings Determine These Rankings?
It’s a combination of factors. They look at serious incidents, fleet age, the rate of incidents, fatalities, profitability, pilot skill, and certifications from bodies like IOSA (a rigorous safety audit) and ICAO (global aviation safety standards).
Interestingly, even how well airlines manage incidents plays a big role. For instance, a minor mishap, when handled properly, can demonstrate an airline’s proficiency and boost its safety score. For more details on the world’s safest and most reliable airlines, visit AirlineRatings.
Just How Safe is Flying?
An MIT study revealed that the global risk of death per flight boarding between 2018 and 2022 was about one in 13.7 million. To put that in perspective, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 1.19 million fatalities from road accidents in 2023—more than two deaths per minute.
While no one wants to think about aviation mishaps, these stats highlight just how safe flying really is. These rankings help travellers make informed, confident choices about their flights.
When booking your next trip, choose from the safest airlines. You’ll fly with confidence, knowing they excel at handling the unexpected. Remember, the safest airlines don’t just avoid accidents—they’re experts at managing the unforeseen.
Fly smart, fly safe, and travel with peace of mind!
