Air travel remains one of the safest modes of transport, and Airline Ratings has come out with its much-awaited list of the safest airlines in the world for 2025. Of 385 carriers monitored, the rankings this year are based on a thorough analysis of safety record, fleet age, accident history, and pilot training standards.
Leading the top full-service list is Air New Zealand, followed closely behind by Qantas at 1.5 points. HK Express captured the No. 1 spot among the low-cost carriers with its spotless record on incidents and new aircraft fleet. These rankings aren’t popularity contests, they’re built with hard facts, expert insight, and rigorous methodology.
Top 25 Full-Service Safest Airlines in the World
Here are the top 25 safest full-service airlines in the world for 2025, led by Air New Zealand:
| Rank | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air New Zealand (NZ) | Ranked #1 due to younger fleet |
| 2 | Qantas (QF) | Close second; 1.5 points behind ANZ |
| 3 | Cathay Pacific (CX) | Tied for 3rd place |
| 3 | Qatar Airways (QR) | Tied for 3rd place |
| 3 | Emirates (EK) | Tied for 3rd place |
| 4 | Virgin Australia (VA) | |
| 5 | Etihad Airways (EY) | |
| 6 | ANA (NH) | |
| 7 | EVA Air (BR) | |
| 8 | Korean Air (KE) | New to Top 10 in 2025 |
| 9 | Alaska Airlines (AS) | Incident involving Boeing 737 MAX 9 |
| 10 | Turkish Airlines (TK) | |
| 11 | TAP Portugal (TP) | |
| 12 | Hawaiian Airlines (HA) | |
| 13 | American Airlines (AA) | |
| 14 | SAS (SK) | |
| 15 | British Airways (BA) | |
| 16 | Iberia (IB) | New entrant in 2025 |
| 17 | Finnair (AY) | |
| 18 | Lufthansa/Swiss (LH/LX) | Group listed jointly |
| 19 | JAL (JL) | Crew praised for handling Flight 516 |
| 20 | Air Canada (AC) | |
| 21 | Delta Air Lines (DL) | |
| 22 | Vietnam Airlines (VN) | First time on the list |
| 23 | United Airlines (UA) |
The battle between Air New Zealand and Qantas was tighter than ever, according to AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Petersen. “It was extremely close again… both uphold the highest safety standards, but Air New Zealand’s younger fleet was the deciding factor,” she said.
The tied third for Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific was also notable. “From pilot training to incident rates, we could not separate them,” Petersen explained.
New Entrants and Omissions
There were notable shifts among the safest airlines this year. Vietnam Airlines and Iberia entered the full-service list for the first time, with strong safety records and better fleet standards. Korean Air entered the top 10 on the back of better performance and regulatory results.
In contrast, Singapore Airlines and KLM didn’t show up this year. Although the two have seven-star safety ratings, they barely missed the cut due to reportable incidents. Petersen made the point that even the best-performing airlines can be edged out by a strict scoring system.
Top 25 Low-Cost Safest Airlines in the World
Low-cost carriers keep expanding globally, and safety remains a key concern. The following are the top 25 safest low-cost carriers in the world for 2025:
| Rank | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HK Express (UO) | No serious incidents; top safety record |
| 2 | Jetstar Group (JQ/3K) | |
| 3 | Ryanair (FR) | |
| 4 | easyJet (U2) | |
| 5 | Frontier Airlines (F9) | |
| 6 | AirAsia (AK/D7/QZ) | |
| 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) | New entrant in 2025 |
| 15 | Sun Country Airlines (SY) | |
| 16 | WestJet (WS) | |
| 17 | JetBlue Airways (B6) | |
| 18 | Air Arabia (G9) | |
| 19 | IndiGo (6E) | |
| 20 | Eurowings (EW) | |
| 21 | Allegiant Air (G4) | |
| 22 | Cebu Pacific (5J) | |
| 23 | ZipAir (ZG) | New entrant in 2025 |
| 24 | SKY Airline (H2) | |
| 25 | Air Baltic (BT) | New entrant in 2025 |
Number one on this year’s low-cost carriers is HK Express, a Hong Kong airline owned by Cathay Pacific. It has a young fleet, excellent training programs, and zero major safety concerns.
Moreover, the new additions to the list are Jet2, ZipAir, and Air Baltic, which all recorded significant safety improvements. Most surprisingly, Spirit Airlines dropped from the list following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy declaration in November 2024, a move that excludes airlines according to AirlineRatings’ safety credentials.
How the Safest Airlines in the World Are Ranked?
Determining the safest airlines globally takes more than looking at incident statistics. AirlineRatings consults with safety experts and check pilots while analyzing:
- Number of significant incidents (previous 2 years)
- Fatality track record
- Fleet size and age
- Profitability and financial health
- IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification
- ICAO audit result
- Standards of crew training
- Incident management
For example, one incident in an airline operating 100 planes may be more consequential than two incidents in a carrier operating 800 planes. Financial distress is also a major red flag, as it can lead to reduced maintenance and operational shortcuts.
Importantly, how crews manage incidents is also evaluated. An airline that handles a crisis well, without loss of life or escalation can have its safety record improve.
Incidents That Influence Airline Safety Ratings
Several high-profile incidents determined this year’s rankings. The crash of Japan Airlines Flight 516 at Tokyo Haneda in 2024, although serious, ended up demonstrating the value of intense training. The cabin crew members were able to evacuate all aboard safely, and close adherence to safety protocols prevented loss of life. This outcome contributed positively to Japan Airlines’ ranking.
On the other hand, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 experienced in-flight sudden decompression due to a loose door plug. While no one was seriously injured and the flight crew responded in a professional manner, the incident drew attention to manufacturer-level issues (Boeing quality assurance), instead of operational issues on the part of the airline.
Is Flying Still the Safest Way to Travel?
Despite media accounts of high-profile aviation incidents, flying remains incredibly safe. An international study for 2018–2022 estimated the risk of fatal injury per boarding flight as only 1 in 13.7 million.
In comparison, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 1.19 million road fatalities in 2023 alone, which is equivalent to more than two deaths per minute across the world.
Even with over 200 air travel deaths recorded in December 2024, which is significantly more than twice the number of 72 reported by IATA for all of 2023, air travel remains far safer than nearly any other form of trasport.
Why Airline Safety Rankings Matter?
The safest airlines in the world rankings aren’t just about reputation, these are what allow travelers to make informed trip decisions. With air travel back at full capacity after the pandemic and many travelers returning to the skies, knowing which airlines have the highest safety standards adds an extra layer of confidence.
Airlines that top these rankings invest heavily in crew training, preventative maintenance, cutting-edge fleet technology, and global certification compliance. For frequent flyers, vacationers, and even aviation investors, these names offer a reliable gauge of operational excellence.
Bottom Line: Choose Airlines That Prioritize Safety
Whether you’re booking a long-haul international journey or a short domestic flight, flying with one of the safest airlines in the world offers peace of mind. From top-ranked Air New Zealand and Qantas to budget-friendly leaders like HK Express and Jetstar, the 2025 rankings reflect an industry where safety remains the cornerstone of success.
As global air travel continues to grow, staying informed about which airlines lead in safety ensures you’re not just flying smart—but flying safe.
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