Top Twenty Safest Airlines for 2021

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Mon Jan 4, 2021

AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only airline safety, and product rating website, has announced its Top Twenty Safest Airlines 2021 from the 385 different airlines it monitors.

The Top 20 Safest Airlines 2021

The Top 20 are the who’s who of airlines and, in order, are: Qantas, Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Etihad Airways, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airways, Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, SAS, Finnair, Lufthansa, KLM, and United Airlines. 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. “For instance, Australia’s Qantas has been recognized by the British Advertising Standards Association in a test case as the world’s most experienced airline,” Thomas said. READ: Vietjet soars through 2020 with awards and expansion.  "Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major operational safety advancement over the past 60 years and has not had a fatality in the pure jet era,” he added.“ "But Qantas is not alone. Long established airlines such as Hawaiian and Finnair have perfect records in the jet era.”

Top 20 Safest Airlines 2021 – Grading Logic and Approach

According to Mr. Thomas, the editors analyze: crashes, serious incidents, audits from aviation’s governing bodies and lead associations; government audits, and fleet age in making their determinations. “However all airlines have incidents every day, and many are aircraft or engine manufacture issues, not airline operational problems. It is the way the flight crew handles these incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one," Mr. Thomas said. "Our top 20 safest airlines 2021 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence, and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.” READ: The World’s First Country and Airline Safety Comparison Tool AirlineRatings was launched in June 2013 and rates the safety, in-flight product, and COVID-19 compliance of 385 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, product, and COVID-19 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 as well!

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?

Comments

No comments yet, be the first to write one.

Latest news and reviews

View more
Should passengers who take bags in an evacuation be banned?
Airline News

Should passengers who take bags in an evacuation be banned?

Mar 13, 2026

Josh Wood
Air Europa sets new safety benchmark with Seven Star PLUS Safety Rating
Airline News

Air Europa sets new safety benchmark with Seven Star PLUS Safety Rating

Mar 12, 2026

Josh Wood
Air India Express 737 MAX loses nose landing gear after hard landing in Phuket
Airline News

Air India Express 737 MAX loses nose landing gear after hard landing in Phuket

Mar 11, 2026

Josh Wood
Latest update: Middle East airspace restrictions crisis
Airline News

Latest update: Middle East airspace restrictions crisis

Mar 11, 2026

Josh Wood

Featured articles

View more
Air Europa sets new safety benchmark with Seven Star PLUS Safety Rating
Airline News

Air Europa sets new safety benchmark with Seven Star PLUS Safety Rating

Mar 12, 2026

Josh Wood
Should passengers who take bags in an evacuation be banned?
Airline News

Should passengers who take bags in an evacuation be banned?

Mar 13, 2026

Josh Wood
Is it still safe to fly with Emirates, Qatar and Etihad?
Airline News

Is it still safe to fly with Emirates, Qatar and Etihad?

Mar 6, 2026

Sharon Petersen
Cathay Pacific marks 80 years of aviation heritage – with Australia at the heart of its history
Airline News

Cathay Pacific marks 80 years of aviation heritage – with Australia at the heart of its history

Feb 27, 2026

Airline Ratings