This is the he World’s safest airlines for 2025
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Jan 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 27
AirlineRatings has unveiled its rankings for the world’s safest airlines in 2025, highlighting the top full-service and low-cost carriers committed to passenger safety.
AirlineRatings has announced that Air New Zealand takes the top spot for full-service airlines, closely followed by Qantas and a three-way tie between Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates for third place.
–Team and passengers first
Air New Zealand has been named the world’s safest airline for 2025, continuing its legacy of prioritizing safety and operational excellence. In response to this achievement, CEO Greg Foran expressed immense pride in the airline's safety culture, saying:
– We have a strong culture of safety that puts our team and passengers first. I’m proud of how this culture has been fostered over many years and how it underpins every aspect of the airline’s everyday operations.
This recognition reinforces Air New Zealand's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards and its proactive approach to continuous improvement in the aviation industry.
In the low-cost category, Hong Kong Express leads, with Jetstar Group and Ryanair rounding out the top three. The rankings are based on factors like fleet age, incidents, fatalities, and pilot training.
Full-service airlines
Here are the top 10 safest full-service airlines for 2025:
Air New Zealand
Qantas
Cathay Pacific
Qatar Airways
Emirates
Singapore Airlines
ANA All Nippon Airways
EVA Air
British Airways
Lufthansa
TAP Portugal
Hawaiian Airlines
American Airlines
SAS
British Airways
Iberia
Finnair
Lufthansa/Swiss
JAL
Air Canada
Delta Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
United Airlines
Low-cost carriers
For safest low-cost carriers:
Hong Kong Express
Jetstar Group
Ryanair
easyJet
Flynas
Wizz Air
Norwegian
WestJet
Indigo
AirAsia
flydubai
Norwegian
Vueling
Jet2
Sun Country Airlines
WestJet
JetBlue Airways
Air Arabia
IndiGo
Eurowings
Allegiant Air
Cebu Pacific
ZipAir
SKY Airline
Air Baltic
Compared to rankings in 2023 and 2024
Air New Zealand and Qantas have consistently secured the top positions in the full-service category across all three years, underscoring their unwavering commitment to safety and operational excellence.
Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates have maintained their strong standings, with Emirates notably improving from 5th place in 2023 to 3rd in 2025.
Virgin Australia and Etihad Airways have shown notable progress, rising from 6th and 7th positions in 2023 to 6th and 7th in 2025, respectively.
ANA All Nippon Airways has made a significant leap, moving from 8th place in 2023 to 8th in 2025.
EVA Air and Korean Air have also demonstrated improvement, with Korean Air advancing from 10th place in 2023 to 10th in 2025.
In the low-cost category, Hong Kong Express has emerged as the leader in 2025, a notable rise from its previous positions. Jetstar Group and Ryanair have consistently ranked in the top three, with Ryanair maintaining its position as a top contender.
While low-cost carriers are often scrutinized for their safety practices, most are still held to strict regulatory standards, particularly in regions like Europe, the United States, and Asia. Regulatory authorities such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforce rigorous safety regulations that low-cost carriers must adhere to.
That said, some low-cost airlines may face criticism or concerns based on factors such as:
Older fleets – Airlines that operate older aircraft might face more scrutiny, as older planes can potentially have higher maintenance requirements.
Incidents and safety records – Some low-cost carriers, particularly in less-regulated regions, may have a history of more frequent safety incidents or accidents. However, it is important to differentiate between incidents caused by weather, human error, or other factors and those linked to systemic safety failures.
Maintenance issues – Certain low-cost airlines have faced criticism over concerns related to their maintenance practices, though they are typically investigated and required to comply with safety standards.
AirlineRatings, which ranks airlines for safety, consistently highlights that low-cost carriers at the top of the rankings are still held to the same safety standards as full-service airlines. They consider factors like fleet age, audits, and regulatory compliance to assess airlines' safety.
If you are concerned about the safety of a particular low-cost airline, it's a good idea to check their safety rating on platforms like AirlineRatings, which evaluates these factors in detail. Generally, low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Jetstar, and easyJet have high safety standards and are considered safe despite their budget-friendly nature.
«The aviation industry has achieved incredible safety milestones, thanks to decades of innovation, stringent regulations, and an unwavering commitment to protecting passengers.» Alexandre de Juniac Former Director General of IATA
«Every airline understands that passenger trust depends on safety. It is not just a priority; it is the foundation of our industry.» Willie Walsh IATA Director General
Major airlines are usually secure
There are no major airlines widely known for «very bad» security, as all airlines must comply with strict safety regulations established by international aviation authorities such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). However, certain airlines have faced significant concerns or incidents over the years that have drawn attention to their safety records.
Poor safety reputations
Some lesser-known or regional airlines with poor safety reputations or records of significant accidents include:
Lion Air (Indonesia) – Lion Air has had several high-profile incidents, including the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 in 2018. Although the airline operates under strict regulatory oversight, the airline's safety culture and fleet maintenance have come under scrutiny. However, it has since taken steps to improve safety and has worked with authorities to address concerns.
Niki (Austria) – This airline, which ceased operations in 2018, had a series of safety incidents and was criticized for issues related to maintenance and crew training. It is no longer in service, but it was once regarded as a carrier with safety concerns.
Nepal Airlines (Nepal) – Nepal Airlines has faced criticism for safety issues, especially given the challenging terrain and weather conditions in the region. Several incidents have raised concerns about the airline's fleet and maintenance practices.
Bluewing Airlines (Suriname) – This Surinamese airline faced a series of accidents and safety violations in the past, leading to it being banned from operating within the European Union due to inadequate safety standards.
Air Koryo (North Korea) – Air Koryo, the national carrier of North Korea, has been cited as one of the world’s least safe airlines, largely due to outdated aircraft and poor safety practices. It has been on the European Union's banned list for some time.
