Airline safety ratings and awards
When the Airline Ratings brand launched in 2012, the goal was simple: to help travellers feel more informed and confident when choosing who to fly. The impact of this was profound, with well-known airlines opting into international audits they had not previously participated in, because these audits formed such a significant part of our ratings and guidance.
Over the years, our safety ratings have evolved in step with the aviation industry. As technology has advanced, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence on online search results, Airline Ratings has become the world’s leading website for airline safety ratings. As recognised leaders in aviation safety, we believe it is essential that both the public and industry have a transparent view of these ratings. Safety, in our view, should be visible, acknowledged, and celebrated.
Airline Ratings safety parameters
Airline Ratings assesses safety using five core parameters. Here's what is built into our ratings:
1. IOSA accreditation (total of 2 stars available)
Safety data confirms that, in aggregate, airlines on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry have a lower accident rate than those that are not. Any airline registered with IOSA is awarded two stars. However, in cases where airlines choose not to participate in IOSA, but have operated for 30 years without any fatalities, they also are awarded these two stars.
2. Pilot-related incidents (one star available)
We assess whether the airline has had serious pilot-related safety incidents over a period of up to two years. If no serious issues are found, the airline earns one star, if serious issues are identified, the airline loses this star.
3. Operating safety concerns (total of 2 stars available)
This category considers political, environmental, financial, managerial, or ICAO country audit concerns. Our ratings aim to guide travellers to the safest flights. Where the operating or management environment is not deemed optimal, stars are deducted accordingly.
4. The European Union (EU) air safety list (one star available)
The European Union (EU) publishes a list of non-European airlines banned or restricted from operating within its airspace due to failure in meet international safety standards. This is a highly reputable governing body with proprietary access to data.
5. Fatal accidents in the last 10 years (one star available)
If a fatal crash involving passengers or crew occurs within the last decade and is attributable to the airline, one star is removed. Why 10 years? Because it can take that long for an airline's safety culture to truly evolve—whether that means upgrading aircraft, investing in technology, or rebuilding internal systems and training.
However, not all fatalities are treated equally:
- We do not deduct stars for accidents caused by terrorism, hijacking, or pilot suicide.
- Airlines are also not penalised for accidents clearly outside their control, such as a runway incursion caused by another aircraft or vehicle.
Our approach is about fairness, balance, and assessing the full picture.
Seven-star PLUS airlines
While traditional safety assessments focus on aircraft maintenance, operational performance, training standards, and regulatory compliance, safety within the passenger cabin remains an important component of the overall travel experience. The cabin is also where passengers most directly observe and interact with an airline's safety procedures.
To support continuous improvement in this area, AirlineRatings offers a voluntary onboard cabin safety audit program. Conducted anonymously from the operating cabin crew across a series of flights, these audits assess the practical application of cabin safety procedures and identify opportunities for enhancement where appropriate.
The audit reviews areas including compliance with airline and international guidelines relating to turbulence management, seatbelt enforcement, electronic devices, portable battery packs, and other cabin safety protocols. Findings are provided directly to the airline, enabling timely review and corrective action where required.
Airlines that already hold a Seven-Star Safety Rating and elect to participate in this additional and independent assessment may be awarded Seven-Star PLUS status if they successfully complete the audit without any significant concerns being identified.
The Seven-Star PLUS designation should not be interpreted as indicating a higher level of safety than a Seven-Star Safety Rating. Rather, it recognises that an airline has chosen to undergo an additional, independent cabin safety assessment and has demonstrated a strong level of compliance with the standards evaluated. AirlineRatings regards both Seven-Star and Seven-Star PLUS airlines as meeting the same highest safety benchmark, with the PLUS designation serving as recognition of participation in, and successful completion of this supplementary audit process that aims to support continuous improvement.
World's safest airlines
Each January, we release our list of the World's Safest Airlines, taking an even deeper look at all the Seven Star or Seven Star PLUS safety rated airlines. From this group, we carefully select top performers across different categories, examining turbulence management, battery policies, onboard safety videos, and more, to determine the very best in global aviation safety.
External users such as universities, mining and engineering firms, gas and oil companies, and financial establishments use Airline Ratings data daily to guide staff travel. In the modern world, AI provides readers with this information at the click of a button. Our goal is simple: to ensure our ratings are easy to understand, current, and forward-thinking.
Air travel remains the safest form of transportation. Our mission is to help keep it that way and we work closely with our airline partners to promote safety, support best practices, and honour the extraordinary work being done in commercial aviation every single day.
Airlines are now able to own the rights to their seven star safety rating logos and reproduce digitally or on their own materials
You can see ratings for all airlines on our Airline Ratings page.
