Which Are the Safest Airlines in 2025?

The specialized consultancy Airline Ratings has published its annual report ranking the safest airlines to travel in 2025. This year, Air New Zealand has been named the safest airline in the world, maintaining its leadership from 2024. Qantas takes second place, followed by a three-way tie for third place between Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates.

Top 10 Safest Airlines in 2025

Of the 385 airlines evaluated by Airline Ratings, only 25 made it into this prestigious ranking, thanks to their high safety standards, innovation, and fleet modernization. Additionally, a list of the 25 safest low-cost airlines was also published.

Image: Wikipedia

Here are the top 10 safest airlines in the world for 2025:

1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Emirates (tie)
4. Virgin Australia
5. Etihad Airways
6. ANA (All Nippon Airways)
7. EVA Air
8. Korean Air
9. Alaska Airlines
10. Turkish Airlines (THY)

One of the most notable changes this year is that Singapore Airlines and KLM were left out of the ranking due to recorded incidents.

Read the full list at AirlineRatings.com.

Ranking of the Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2025

Image: Airline Geeks

For those looking for budget-friendly options with high safety standards, Airline Ratings has also published a ranking of the 25 safest low-cost airlines:

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

Read the full list at AirlineRatings.com.

Selection Criteria for the Ranking

To create this ranking, AirlineRatings.com experts evaluate several key factors, including:

• Serious incidents in the last two years: The number, severity, causes, and corrective measures taken by the airline.
• Fleet age and modernization: Newer aircraft typically have the latest safety technology, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort.
• Incident rate relative to airline size: This ensures a fairer assessment, considering the number of flights operated.
• Financial stability: Airlines in economic distress may cut costs in crucial areas like aircraft maintenance and crew training.
• Safety certifications (e.g., IATA Operational Safety Audit – IOSA): Compliance with global safety and operational management standards.
• Pilot training and experience: Airlines with rigorous training programs and emergency simulations reduce the risk of accidents.

The Importance of Aviation Safety

Image: Wikipedia

Aviation safety is a top priority in the airline industry, as any failure can have fatal consequences. Recent examples, such as Japan Airlines (JAL) Flight 516 in Haneda in 2024, demonstrate how a well-trained crew and effective emergency protocols can prevent tragedies. In this case, the quick evacuation of the aircraft after the emergency landing saved passengers’ lives and minimized damage. The incident highlighted the importance of cabin crew training in critical scenarios and the need for airport infrastructures to be prepared to respond to emergencies.

Another case that underscores the importance of quality control and technical supervision is the incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, in which a sudden depressurization exposed manufacturing defects in a Boeing 737 MAX 9. This event highlighted the risks associated with design and production issues in the aviation industry. The lack of rigorous controls in aircraft manufacturing can compromise the safety of thousands of passengers, which is why technical audits and constant inspections are essential to ensure the structural integrity of airplanes.

In both cases, the incidents served as reminders that aviation safety is a shared responsibility among manufacturers, airlines, regulatory authorities, and flight personnel. Every element of the aviation ecosystem must operate under the highest standards to ensure that flying remains the safest mode of transportation in the world.

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