AirlineRatings Safest Airlines in the World: Qantas Is the Safest Airline for 2020

AirlineRatings is constantly monitoring the safest airlines in the world. For 2020, we have named Qantas Airlines the safest airline. Learn why on our site.

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Thu Jan 2, 2020

Qantas has been put at the top of the list of the safest airlines in the world for 2020 by AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only safety, and product rating website. AirlineRatings.com has also announced its Top Twenty safest airlines and Ten Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2020 from the 405 it monitors.

Evaluating Factors of the Safest Airlines in the World

In making its evaluation of the safest airlines in the world, AirlineRatings.com takes into account a comprehensive range of factors that include: audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies, government audits, airline’s crash and serious incident record, profitability, industry-leading safety initiatives, and fleet age. CHECK IT OUT: Get AirlineRatings.com new airline safety booking APP In selecting Qantas as the world’s safest airline for 2020,  AirlineRatings.com editors noted that over its 99-year history the world’s oldest continuously operating airline has amassed a truly amazing record of firsts in operations and safety and is now accepted as the industry’s most experienced airline.* The Australian airline has been a leader in the development of Future Air Navigation System; the flight data recorder to monitor plane and later crew performance; automatic landings using Global Navigation Satellite System as well as precision approaches around mountains in the cloud using RNP. Qantas was the lead airline with real-time monitoring of its engines across its fleet using satellite communications, which has enabled the airline to detect problems before they become a major safety issue. The AirlineRatings.com Top Twenty safest airlines have always been at the forefront of safety innovation, launching new aircraft and they have become a byword for excellence.

The Top 20 Safest Airlines for 2020

We've also made a top 20 list of the safest airlines in the world for this year. Qantas is at the top followed by these in numerical order: Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Australia, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, TAP Portugal, SAS, Royal Jordanian, Swiss, Finnair, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, and KLM. Qatar new routes According to AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas, these airlines are standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation, and launching of new aircraft.

Top 10 Safest Low Cost Airlines for 2020

Responding to the public interest, the AirlineRatings.com editors also identified their Top 10 safest & best low cost airlines. Here they are in alphabetical order: Air Arabia, Flybe, Frontier, HK Express, IndiGo, Jetblue, Volaris, Vueling, Westjet, and Wizz. Unlike a number of low-cost carriers, these airlines have all passed the stringent International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and have excellent safety records. Mr. Thomas said the site only looked at serious incidents in making its determinations. “All airlines have incidents every day and many are aircraft manufacture issues, not airline operational problems," he said. "It is the way the flight crew handles incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one. So just lumping all incidents together is very misleading.” He also goes on to elaborate that, "some countries' incident reporting systems are weak, which further complicates matters." READ: The World's First Country and Airline Safety Comparison Tool AirlineRatings was launched in June 2013 and rates the safety and in-flight product of 405 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. It has been used by millions of passengers from 195 countries and has become the industry standard for safety and product rating. The editorial team is one of the world’s most experienced with almost 50 international and national awards. They have also authored or co-authored more than 28 industry books. *British Advertising Standards Association ruling 2008

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?

Comments

No comments yet, be the first to write one.

Latest news and reviews

View more
This Canadian airline flies 49-year-old aircraft: we tell you why
Airline News

This Canadian airline flies 49-year-old aircraft: we tell you why

Feb 19, 2026

Josh Wood
LATAM 777’s high-stakes rejected takeoff in São Paulo prompts an investigation
Airline News

LATAM 777’s high-stakes rejected takeoff in São Paulo prompts an investigation

Feb 18, 2026

Josh Wood
Why Emirates built its airline around two aircraft - and why that’s changing
Airline News

Why Emirates built its airline around two aircraft - and why that’s changing

Feb 13, 2026

Nicholas Ling
Arik Air B737 diverts after engine failure mid-flight
Airline News

Arik Air B737 diverts after engine failure mid-flight

Feb 12, 2026

Josh Wood

Featured articles

View more
This review proves that low cost carriers aren't always cheaper: AirAsia X vs Malaysia Airlines long haul
Airline News

This review proves that low cost carriers aren't always cheaper: AirAsia X vs Malaysia Airlines long haul

Feb 12, 2026

Airline Ratings
A review of aviation accidents in 2025: Causes and safety takeaways
Airline News

A review of aviation accidents in 2025: Causes and safety takeaways

Jan 29, 2026

Josh Wood
Arik Air B737 diverts after engine failure mid-flight
Airline News

Arik Air B737 diverts after engine failure mid-flight

Feb 12, 2026

Josh Wood
LATAM 777’s high-stakes rejected takeoff in São Paulo prompts an investigation
Airline News

LATAM 777’s high-stakes rejected takeoff in São Paulo prompts an investigation

Feb 18, 2026

Josh Wood