Discover the World's Most Secure Airlines

With all the recent news on aviation safety issues and a concerning increase in near misses, it’s important to remember that commercial air travel remains safer than ever.

In reality, fatal incidents involving commercial jetliners are exceedingly uncommon, thanks largely to significant advancements in aircraft technology and crew training over the years—often in response to major accidents like TWA 800 and Air France 447. In 2022, there were merely five fatal accidents among 32.2 million flights, a decrease from seven in 2021 and an improvement over the five-year average from 2018 to 2022, which also stood at seven, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

When you compare it to driving, air travel is unquestionably the safer option to travel from one place to another. In 2022, while airplane crashes resulted in 158 fatalities worldwide, nearly 43,000 people lost their lives in road accidents in the United States alone.

“Flying is one of the safest activities a person can participate in,” remarked IATA director general Willie Walsh. He further noted, “Although the risk associated with flying is remarkably low, it is not completely devoid of risk. Careful examination of emerging trends, even at these high safety levels, will contribute to making flying even safer.”

Not every airline and government maintains the same high standard of vigilance regarding safety measures. Walsh pointed out that turboprop operations in Africa and Latin America are particularly concerning.

Experts emphasize the importance of having robust regulations in place. “Countries with strong government oversight and airlines that carefully track pilot performance and maintenance issues have remarkably low accident rates,” explains John Goglia, an aviation consultant and former member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

For those seeking to fly with the safest airlines, here’s how the world’s carriers compare.

Ranking the World’s Safest Airlines

Each year, the Australian aviation safety review website, AirlineRatings.com, evaluates the safest airlines globally using a seven-point rating system. The organization assesses 385 airlines worldwide, considering factors such as accidents in the past five years, serious incidents (those with the potential for catastrophic outcomes) in the last two years, public and private safety audits, and fleet age. Additionally, a carrier’s ranking takes into account the number of passengers carried and the number of sectors (each takeoff and landing), often favoring airlines that operate a greater share of long-haul flights.

“Every day, airlines face incidents, many of which stem from aircraft or engine manufacturing issues rather than operational flaws. The way flight crews respond to these situations distinguishes a reputable airline from an unsafe one,” stated Geoffrey Thomas, editor in chief of AirlineRatings.com, while announcing the 2023 rankings earlier this year.

In 2023, Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, once again leads the list of the world’s safest airlines (having ranked No. 1 in seven of the last nine years since the rankings began in 2013), alongside fellow consistent performer Air New Zealand. Among the top 20 airlines, five are major U.S. carriers, with the remainder from Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Top 10 Safest Airlines Worldwide

1. Qantas

Qantas Airlines—an acronym for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service—was established on November 16, 1920, in Queensland, Australia. Throughout the jet age, it has maintained an impressive, nearly accident-free track record, earning the title of “world’s safest airline” year after year. This reputation gained widespread recognition from the film Rain Man, in which Dustin Hoffman’s character, Raymond Babbitt, cites Qantas as the safest airline to support his refusal to fly any other. The airline operates a fleet of 125 aircraft, averaging around 12 years old, while the global average is approximately 16 years.

2. Air New Zealand

The Kiwi flag carrier has maintained its top position not only due to its outstanding safety record but also because it offers a significant number of ultra-long-haul flights, including the nonstop New York–Auckland routes introduced earlier this year. Founded in 1947 as a seaplane operator to Australia, the airline was designated as the national carrier in the 1960s. It serves 22 domestic and 26 international destinations across more than 15 countries.

3. Etihad Airways

Based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways is one of the newer airlines on the list, established in 2003. It now flies to over 80 destinations across five continents. With a fleet of 90 aircraft averaging seven years in age, the airline is also recognized for its opulent business and first-class cabins, featuring separate “apartments.”

4. Qatar Airways

Doha-based Qatar Airways is renowned, like other airlines from neighboring Gulf countries, for its long-haul routes, including a 16.5-hour nonstop flight from Doha to Houston. Established in 1993, it operates a fleet of 255 aircraft serving 160 destinations, boasting what it claims is one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average aircraft age of about five years.

5. Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is celebrated for its exceptional inflight service, consistently earning the title of “world’s best airline” in passenger surveys. Therefore, it’s no surprise that it ranks highly for safety practices as well. Founded in 1972, the airline operates 152 aircraft, averaging around seven years in age, and serves 75 destinations. Its network includes the world’s longest route, from New York to Singapore, which currently takes 18.5 hours of flying time.

6. TAP Air Portugal

The Portuguese flag carrier, TAP (short for “Transportes Aéreos Portugueses”), has been in operation for 77 years, connecting Portugal to distant countries, including its former colonies in Brazil, Mozambique, and beyond. It now flies to over 80 destinations worldwide, operating a mix of 84 narrow- and wide-bodied aircraft with an average age of 11.5 years.

7. Emirates

Boasting a massive hub in Dubai and the world’s largest fleet of Airbus A380s, including 100 double-decker wide-body jets, Emirates is a formidable contender in the long-haul market. It also operates 134 Boeing 777s, more than any other airline. The average age of its fleet is approximately nine years. Established in 1985, Emirates serves 133 destinations across six continents.

8. Alaska Airlines

Starting out 91 years ago as a small puddle jumper named McGee Airways based in Anchorage, Alaska Airlines has transformed into the fifth largest airline in the USA following its acquisition of Virgin America in 2016. The airline has continued to modernize its fleet, which includes 221 Boeing 737s averaging 9.8 years old and a smaller number of Embraer 175s, which are less than five years old on average. It ranks as the highest-rated U.S. airline on the global safety ratings list.

9. EVA Air

Taiwan’s international airline has built a dedicated customer base due to its reliability, excellent service, and its distinctive livery featuring Hello Kitty and other charming cartoon characters. Established in 1989, it operates 86 aircraft with an average age of 8.5 years.

10. Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia

These two airlines share the Virgin name but differ significantly in their operations: Virgin Atlantic is recognized for its vibrant red planes and trendy atmosphere, operating a long-haul network from the U.K. with a fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body jets that average just under seven years old. In contrast, after a pandemic-related restructuring, Virgin Australia now flies a fleet of mostly 737-800 narrow-body jets, averaging around 11.5 years, primarily servicing domestic routes.

The Remaining Safest Airlines in the World

In addition to the top 10 safest airlines mentioned earlier, here are the airlines that complete the top 20 list.

11. Cathay Pacific Airways
12. Hawaiian Airlines
13. SAS
14. United Airlines
15. Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss)
16. Finnair
17. British Airways
18. KLM
19. American Airlines
20. Delta Air Lines