Low Cost Airline Blitzes Safety Audit

HK Express has become the first low-cost airline to earn the Seven Star PLUS safety rating from AirlineRatings. Available only to airlines already rated Seven Star, it is a mark of verified onboard cabin safety compliance achieved through independent audit.

On top of being already a Seven Star airline for maintaining the highest operational and regulatory safety standards at all times, the new initiative introduces a comprehensive 70 point onboard safety audit that brings the “face of safety” directly into the cabin where passengers experience it most.

CEO of AirlineRatings.com, Sharon Petersen, said: “Already awarded as the World’s Safest Low Cost Airline of 2025, this latest Seven Star PLUS rating sets a new benchmark in the industry, proving once again that low-cost doesn’t mean low-quality and that carriers in this category can lead in safety excellence.

 “To further demonstrate that low-cost doesn’t mean cutting corners when it comes to safety, our onboard safety audit, comprising 40 audit points, is identical for both full-service and low-cost airlines. Today’s result, and those of other low cost airlines to come, further helps to dispel the misconception that there is a difference in safety standards between low-cost and full-service operations.

 “As travellers increasingly seek value without compromise, HK Express’s achievement should inspire other airlines in the low-cost sector to participate in these valuable audits, swiftly address any identified gaps, and demonstrate transparency and customer confidence by opening their operations to external review. These assessments not only highlight areas for improvement but also celebrate and acknowledge those who excel in the critical area of onboard safety. We are delighted to award HK Express our highest accolade and applaud them on today’s results.”

Josh Wood Safety and Service Quality Manager, Airline Ratings, said: “HK Express has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety and operational excellence across all phases of flight. The professionalism and discipline of the cabin crew were exemplary throughout the audit, reflecting a strong internal culture and strict adherence to international best practice. The Seven Star PLUS Safety Award recognises not only their compliance, but their proactive approach to maintaining the highest possible safety and guest experience standards at all times.”

READ: The Low Cost Carrier You Actually Want To Fly

Jeanette Mao, CEO of HK Express said: “Safety is the foundation of HK Express’ strategy and operations. As the first low-cost carrier to earn AirlineRatings’ Seven Star PLUS recognition, we see this as validation of our safety culture and our relentless pursuit of operational excellence, enabling reliable and affordable air travel at scale. We are deeply honoured to receive this rating, a testament to the devotion and professionalism of our team – across frontline and corporate teams – in upholding the highest operational standards.

 “Achieving the 7-Star PLUS rating, after 12 years of maintaining a 7-Star safety rating since 2013, underscores our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. We will continue to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable air services to our customers- never resting on our laurels.”

So what does Seven Star PLUS actually mean?

Seven Star PLUS is a safety rating an airline earns, not one it can buy. To be eligible, an airline must already hold our seven star safety rating, the top of our scale. Only then can it put itself forward for the audit that leads to a Seven Star PLUS rating.

The airline invites our auditors aboard for an independent, anonymous assessment of its cabin crew safety compliance, observed under normal flight conditions across six flights. An airline earns Seven Star PLUS only if that audit goes well and stringent standards are met overall. Not every airline that sits it will clear it and a review audit will be conducted within the year. Whilst the airline pays for the service, it does not pay for the result. That distinction matters, because it means the rating reflects what our auditors actually found. An airline with a number of areas for improvement will simply retain their Seven Star safety rating.

The value in these audits sits with both the airline and the passenger. For the airline, the audit catches things early. It finds genuine cabin crew compliance gaps and helps close them before they ever become incidents or regulator findings. A safety team and a CFO both understand the value of catching a problem early. Earning the rating gives the airline a credential that carries weight precisely because it cannot be bought.

For travellers, Seven Star PLUS is a simple signal worth knowing. It marks an airline that already sits at the top of our safety rating, then opened its cabin operation to independent scrutiny and passed.

One thing to be clear about is that an airline without Seven Star PLUS is not unsafe, and it is not ranked below those that hold it. The PLUS indicates a mark of verified cabin safety compliance, earned by the airlines that have chosen to be tested and met the standard.

Why It Matters

With nearly 40% of passengers reporting anxiety or fear of flying, Seven Star PLUS provides a new level of reassurance. While traditional safety metrics focus on aircraft maintenance, operational excellence and regulatory compliance, this new rating highlights the human element specifically how safety is communicated, enacted, and felt onboard.

This initiative complements AirlineRatings mission: “Guiding you to the safest and best value airline for every journey.”

 For enquiries on participating in Airline Ratings safety ratings, please contact [email protected]