STARLUX becomes third airline to earn Seven-Star PLUS safety rating

STARLUX Airlines has today become the third airline to achieve 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.

CEO of AirlineRatings, Sharon Petersen, said, “As a smaller, lesser-known airline on the global stage, STARLUX was an operator we were keen to understand better. What we discovered, however, far exceeded our expectations. Our time with the airline, including the onboard safety audit, revealed not only safety standards that surpass industry norms, but also a truly premium product capable of competing with the world’s largest full-service carriers.

The opportunity to conduct an onboard safety audit was a genuine privilege for us and highlighted an airline operating with exceptional professionalism and an impressive commitment to safety.

We are delighted to confirm that STARLUX has joined an elite group of airlines now carrying the Seven Star PLUS safety rating.”

Josh Wood, Safety and Service Quality Manager at AirlineRatings, commented, “The consistency of onboard safety compliance across the audited flights has, in my view, set an international benchmark. Whilst STARLUX is a premium airline with a focus on quality touches, safety came first every time - which is exactly what we want to see.

Of particular note was the way cabin crew didn’t simply tell passengers what to do, but explained why. For example: ‘Please stow your TV screen in case we need to evacuate quickly.’ This not only enhances cabin safety but educates passengers at the same time.”

 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]