When it comes to flying, speed is a major attraction — but safety is the real dealbreaker. No matter how exciting the destination is, every traveller wants to step into an aircraft that’s reliable, well-maintained, and trusted worldwide. That’s why the annual safety rankings released by AirlineRatings.com matter so much.
For 2025, the aviation safety watchdog reviewed 385 airlines across the globe. After comparing fleet age, pilot training, incident history, audits, and certifications, the website published a list of the 25 safest full-service airlines and 25 safest low-cost airlines for the year.
This year’s results were intense, with a neck-to-neck fight for the top position — and even a rare three-way tie for third place. Let’s dive into the complete list.
AirlineRatings.com On The 2025 Rankings
AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen explained how close the top competition was. She said:
“It was extremely close again between Air New Zealand and Qantas for first place, with only 1.50 points separating the two airlines. While both uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand has a younger fleet, giving it the edge.”
She also addressed the big tie for the third spot.
“The three-way tie was because we simply couldn’t separate these airlines. Their scores were identical across fleet age, pilot skill, safety practices, fleet size, and number of incidents,” she said.
Top Safest Full-Service Airlines For 2025
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 1 | Air New Zealand |
| 2 | Qantas |
| 3 | Cathay Pacific |
| 3 | Qatar Airways |
| 3 | Emirates |
| 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 |
Top 25 Safest Low-Cost Airlines For 2025
| Rank | Airline |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Conclusion
The 2025 rankings highlight one thing clearly — airlines across the world are investing heavily in safer fleets, better training, and stronger technology. Whether it’s Air New Zealand edging past Qantas, or a three-way tie between regional giants for third place, competition has never been closer.
For travellers, these lists offer peace of mind. Whether you fly full-service or low-cost, knowing your airline prioritises safety makes every journey feel a little more comfortable. In the end, safety isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of modern aviation.
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | X |
Youtube | Pinterest | Google News |
Entertales is on YouTube; click here to subscribe for the latest videos and updates.
