As 2025 unfolds, the aviation industry is once again in the spotlight, with AirlineRatings.com releasing its annual rankings for the world’s safest airlines. These rankings, which encompass both full-service and low-cost carriers, provide invaluable insights for passengers prioritising safety in their travel plans.

Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025

In a fiercely competitive landscape, Air New Zealand has clinched the top spot, narrowly edging out Qantas by a mere 1.50 points. This slight margin underscores the rigorous safety standards and pilot training upheld by both airlines, with Air New Zealand’s younger fleet giving it the edge.

The top 25 full-service airlines are:

1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates (three-way tie)
4. Virgin Australia
5. Etihad Airways
6. ANA
7. EVA Air
8. Korean Air
9. Alaska Airlines
10. Turkish Airlines (THY)
11. TAP Portugal
12. Hawaiian Airlines
13. American Airlines
14. SAS
15. British Airways
16. Iberia
17. Finnair
18. Lufthansa/Swiss
19. JAL
20. Air Canada
21. Delta Airlines
22. Vietnam Airlines
23. United Airlines

Notably, Iberia and Vietnam Airlines have made their debut on this prestigious list, while Korean Air’s significant rise into the top 10 is commendable. Conversely, Singapore Airlines and KLM, despite maintaining high safety ratings, have narrowly missed out due to recent incidents.

Top 25 Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2025

The low-cost airline sector has also seen significant shifts. Hong Kong Express has ascended to the top position, boasting a flawless safety record. New entrants include Zipair, Jet2, and Air Baltic, while Spirit Airlines is conspicuously absent following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in late 2024.

The top 25 safest low-cost airlines are:

1. Hong Kong Express
2. Jetstar Group
3. Ryanair
4. easyJet
5. Frontier Airlines
6. AirAsia
7. Wizz Air
8. VietJet 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
21. Allegiant Air
22. Cebu Pacific
23. ZipAir
24. SKY Airline
25. Air Baltic

How Airlines Are Graded

AirlineRatings.com employs a comprehensive methodology to evaluate airlines, factoring in elements such as serious incidents over the past two years, fleet age, size, and rate of incidents, among others. For example, financial instability and failing safety audits can automatically disqualify an airline from being ranked.

The Importance of Incident Management

Effective incident management plays a crucial role in enhancing an airline’s safety profile. The crash of JAL Flight 516 at Haneda Airport last year, successfully managed by a highly skilled crew, exemplifies this. Such incidents, though unfortunate, highlight the importance of rigorous training and adherence to safety protocols.

The Relative Safety of Flying

A study on airline safety revealed that the global death risk per flight boarding between 2018 and 2022 was approximately one in 13.7 million, underscoring the relative safety of flying compared to road travel.

Conclusion

AirlineRatings.com’s annual rankings provide valuable guidance for travellers. In collaboration with Skyscanner, they have also introduced a flight booking platform that allows users to search for flights based on safety, price, and duration, enhancing passenger confidence.

For more information, visit www.airlineratings.com . Safe travels in 2025!