Revealed: the airline crowned safest in 2025 — find out which carrier tops the list and what makes it stand out.
The list of the world’s safest airlines for 2025 has been released. AirlineRatings, a website specialising in airline safety, has published its latest ranking of the safest carriers. In its assessments the site takes multiple factors into account — including serious incidents, fatal accidents, regulatory audits, safety initiatives, pilot training, and fleet age. The list includes several carriers recognised as the safest in the industry. If you plan to travel by air, consulting this ranking may help you make a better choice.
Air New Zealand has been named the world’s safest airline for 2025. The carrier was founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited and has operated under the Air New Zealand name since 1965.
Qantas was founded in 1920 and began operations in 1922. The name Qantas stands for “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services.” Qantas was named the world’s safest airline in 2023 and this year earned the runner-up position.
Emirates, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways jointly share third place on the list of the world’s safest airlines. Emirates began operations in 1985. Qatar Airways was founded in 1993 and began flying in 1994. Cathay Pacific was established in 1946 and is currently Hong Kong’s largest airline.
Virgin Australia was founded in 2000 under the name Virgin Blue and has operated as Virgin Australia since 2011. The airline is based in Australia.
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003. It is one of the two national carriers of the United Arab Emirates, operating alongside Emirates.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is a Japanese airline. It was founded in 1952 as Japan Helicopter and Aeroplane and changed its name to All Nippon Airways in 1957.
EVA Air, also known as Evergreen Airways, is one of Taiwan’s two major carriers (the other being China Airlines). EVA Air was founded in 1989 and began operations in 1991.
Korean Air was established in 1962 as Korean Air Lines and has been operating since 1969.
Alaska Airlines — which began in 1932 as McGee Airways — has operated under the Alaska Airlines name since 1944.
Turkish Airlines began operations in 1933 under the original name State Airlines of Turkey. Over the next 23 years its name changed several times until the early 1960s when it adopted the current name, Turkish Airlines, under which it has operated since.
TAP Air Portugal was founded in 1945 and began operations in 1946.
Hawaiian Airlines began in 1929 as Inter-Island Airways; the company later changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines.
American Airlines was established in 1930 and is the world’s largest airline by passenger numbers and daily flights.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) was founded in 1946 and is the flag carrier of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
British Airways was officially formed in 1974, but its origins date back to 1919 when Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited began operations — the foundation on which modern British Airways rests. On 25 August that year the company launched the first scheduled daily service between London and Paris, a flight that operated daily on a fixed schedule.
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