Top 25 Safest Airlines For 2024

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Wed Jan 3, 2024

AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only airline safety, and product rating website, has announced its Top 25 Safest Airlines 2024 from the 385 different airlines it monitors.

The Top 25 Safest Airlines 2024

The Top 25 are the who’s who of airlines and, in order, are:

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Finnair, Cathay Pacific Airways, Alaska Airlines, SAS, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa/Swiss Group, KLM, Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Air France, Air Canada Group and United Airlines.

An Air New Zealand A320neo. Photo: Air NZ.

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.

Mt Thomas said it was an extremely close tussle between Air New Zealand and Qantas with only 1.50 points between the two airlines, with fleet age just tipping Qantas off the top spot.

The Qantas Group however has embarked on the biggest fleet renewal in its history with huge orders for the A220, A320, A321, A350 and 787 to be delivered over the next three years.

Top 25 Safest Airlines 2024 – Grading Logic and Approach

According to Mr Thomas, the editors analyze crashes over 5 years, serious incidents over two years, audits from aviation’s governing bodies and lead associations; government audits, fleet age and aircrew training.

On the complex issue of incidents, Mr Thomas said that 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 serious incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one," Mr Thomas said.

"Our top 25 safest airlines 2024 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence, and the launching of new more advanced aircraft such as the Airbus A350 Boeing 787 and 777-9.”

"Airlines such as Emirates launched the 777-300ER and the 777-9 and are the biggest operators of the A380," Mr Thomas said.

Top 25 Safest Airlines

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 during the pandemic, 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 and product rating.

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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.

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