Top 20 Safest Airlines in the World
'21.01.2025'
ForumDaily New York
Annual ranking Recognizes airlines with exceptional safety practices, rigorous pilot training and modern fleets. Aviationa2z tells which airlines were named the safest in the world in 2025.
Airlines are ranked based on a combination of critical factors, such as the age and size of their fleet, pilot skills, safety protocols and number of incidents.
These ratings help passengers choose the safest travel options while encouraging airlines maintain high standards.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, maintaining strict safety protocols and upgrading fleet remain critically important.
The 20 Safest Full-Service Airlines in the World
1. Air New Zealand.
2. Qantas.
3. Cathay Pacific.
3. Emirates.
3. Qatar Airways.
6. Virgin Australia.
7. Etihad Airways.
8. ANA.
9. EVA Air.
10. Korean Air.
11. Alaska Airlines.
12. Turkish Airlines.
13. TAP Portugal.
14. Hawaiian Airlines.
15. American Airlines.
16. SAS.
17. British Airways.
18. Iberia.
19. Finnair.
20. Lufthansa/Swiss.
The difference between Air New Zealand (NZ) and Qantas (QF) was just 1,50 points. Although both airlines excel in safety and pilot training, Air New Zealand's younger fleet secured the top spot.
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Third place was shared by Cathay Pacific (CX), Qatar Airways (QR) and Emirates (EK). These airlines were similar in many areas, such as fleet age, incident rates and overall safety procedures.
Notably, Iberia (IB) and Vietnam Airlines (VN) made their debut on the list, while Korean Air (KE) climbed into the top 10. On the other hand, Singapore Airlines (SQ) and KLM (FR), despite maintaining excellent safety ratings, were dropped due to specific incidents.
They influenced their rating.
Top 20 Safest Low Cost Airlines in the World
1. Hong Kong Express.
2. Jetstar Group.
3. Ryanair.
4. easyJet.
5. Frontier Airlines.
6. AirAsia.
7. Wizz Air.
8. VietnamJet Air.
9. Southwest Airlines.
10. Volaris.
11. flydubai.
12. Norwegian.
13. Vueling.
14. Jet2.
15. Sun Country Airlines.
16. WestJet.
17. JetBlue Airways.
18. Air Arabia.
19. IndiGo.
20. Eurowings.
The 2025 list reflects notable changes. Hong Kong Express (UO) has moved up to the top spot. The airline’s exceptional safety record, with no major incidents, has contributed to its outstanding position. This year’s ranking also includes Zipair (ZG), Jet2 (LS) and Air Baltic (BT) as new entrants.
Spirit Airlines (NK) was absent from the rankings after filing for bankruptcy in November 2024 to reorganize its finances and ease debt.
Airline safety
A recent study found that between 2018 and 2022, the global risk of dying on an air flight was approximately one in 13,7 million.
These statistics highlight the relative safety of flights compared to ground travel, which accounted for 2023 million deaths worldwide in 1,19.
Despite these encouraging figures, aviation incidents in December 2024 resulted in more than 200 fatalities.