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.
Photo: Phil | wilco737 | Flickr
Top 20 Safest 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 carriers (FSC) in the world in 2025:
RankAirline NameIATA Code1Air New ZealandNZ2QantasQF3Cathay PacificCX3Qatar AirwaysQR3EmiratesEK6Virgin AustraliaVA7Etihad AirwaysEY8ANANH9EVA AirBR10Korean AirKE11Alaska AirlinesAS12Turkish Airlines (THY)TK13TAP PortugalTP14Hawaiian AirlinesHA15American AirlinesAA16SASSK17British AirwaysBA18IberiaIB19FinnairAY20Lufthansa/SwissLH/LX20JALJL20Air CanadaAC
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.
ALSO READ: Safest Aircraft in the World as of 2025
Photo: Eurospot
Top 20 Safest Low-Cost Airlines in the World
RankAirline NameIATA Code1Hong Kong ExpressUO2Jetstar GroupJQ3RyanairFR4easyJetU25Frontier AirlinesF96AirAsiaAK7Wizz AirW68VietJet AirVJ9Southwest AirlinesWN10VolarisY411flydubaiFZ12NorwegianDY13VuelingVY14Jet2LS15Sun Country AirlinesSY16WestJetWS17JetBlue AirwaysB618Air ArabiaG919IndiGo6E20EurowingsEW
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.
Photo: Clément Alloing
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.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News