Top Twenty Safest Airlines For 2023

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Tue Jan 3, 2023

AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only airline safety, and product rating website, has announced its Top Twenty Safest Airlines 2023 from the 385 different airlines it monitors.

Subscribe to the Airlineratings.com newsletter to get the relevant news first

Top Twenty Safest Low-Cost Airlines 2023

Travolta’s 707 is closer to its final home in Australia

The Top 20 Safest Airlines 2023

The Top 20 are the who’s who of airlines and, in order, are:

Qantas, Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Emirates, Alaska Airlines, EVA Air, Virgin Australia/Atlantic, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, SAS, United Airlines, Lufthansa/Swiss Group, Finnair, British Airways, KLM, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

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.

In selecting Qantas as the world’s safest airline for 2023, AirlineRatings.com editors noted that over its 100-year operational history the world’s oldest continuously operating airline has amassed an amazing record of firsts in operations and safety and is now accepted as the industry’s most experienced airline. *

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; fleet age, expert analysis of pilot training, and COVID protocols in making their determinations.

Airbus
Qatar Airways was the first customer of the A350.

“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 2023 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence, and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 (above) 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.

* 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
Enugu Air Embraer ERJ170 runway excursion in Benin
Airline News

Enugu Air Embraer ERJ170 runway excursion in Benin

Jul 24, 2026

Josh Wood
Cabin safety will lead the agenda at IATA WSOC in Istanbul
Industry News

Cabin safety will lead the agenda at IATA WSOC in Istanbul

Jul 24, 2026

Airline Ratings
STARLUX unveils iconic AIRSORAYAMA robot safety video
Airline News

STARLUX unveils iconic AIRSORAYAMA robot safety video

Jul 23, 2026

Airline Ratings
What airlines are on the EU blacklist and what is means
Airline News

What airlines are on the EU blacklist and what is means

Jul 22, 2026

Josh Wood

Featured articles

View more
Which airline is the safest in Indonesia?
Airline News

Which airline is the safest in Indonesia?

Jul 10, 2026

Sharon Petersen
STARLUX unveils iconic AIRSORAYAMA robot safety video
Airline News

STARLUX unveils iconic AIRSORAYAMA robot safety video

Jul 23, 2026

Airline Ratings
Which airline is the safest in India?
Airline News

Which airline is the safest in India?

Jul 16, 2026

Sharon Petersen
Which airline is the safest in the Philippines?
Airline News

Which airline is the safest in the Philippines?

Jul 7, 2026

Sharon Petersen